Prescriptions

Bible Prescriptions For Pulling Down Strongholds

In his book Strongholds What They Are and How to Pull Them Down, Ed Silvoso defines a stronghold as "a thought pattern or belief system that is not of God and is rooted in lies." He writes that strongholds can be formed in our minds and hearts through a variety of experiences, such as trauma, abuse, or neglect. Strongholds can also be formed through exposure to negative messages from the world, such as the belief that we are not good enough, loved enough, or capable enough.

Silvoso argues that strongholds are a major obstacle to our spiritual growth and fulfillment. They can keep us from experiencing the joy and freedom that God intends for us. He writes that strongholds can also prevent us from being effective witnesses for Christ.

That's why Silvoso developed the 40-Day Treatment, a step-by-step process for identifying and tearing down strongholds. The key points of the 40-Day Treatment are as follows:

1. Identify your strongholds. This is the first and most important step. You cannot tear down a stronghold if you don't know it's there. Silvoso suggests spending some time in prayer and reflection, asking God to show you any areas of your life where you are struggling or where you feel stuck.

2. Repent of your strongholds. Once you have identified your strongholds, you need to repent of them. This means confessing them to God and asking for His forgiveness. It also means turning away from them and committing to living a life that is aligned with God's Word.

3. Renew your mind with the truth of God's Word. Strongholds are often rooted in lies. To tear them down, you need to replace those lies with the truth of God's Word. Silvoso encourages readers to spend time each day reading and meditating on the Bible. He also suggests finding Bible verses that are specifically related to the strongholds you are struggling with.

4. Resist the devil and his temptations. The devil will try to keep you from tearing down your strongholds. He will tempt you to go back to old ways of thinking and behaving. But you must resist him. Silvoso reminds readers that they have the power to resist the devil through the Holy Spirit.

5. Be patient and persistent. Tearing down strongholds takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Just keep praying, reading the Bible, and resisting the devil. Eventually, your strongholds will come down.

Silvoso also provides a number of practical tips for implementing the 40-Day Treatment, such as finding a prayer partner or joining a support group. He also encourages readers to keep a journal to track their progress.

The 40-Day Treatment is a powerful tool for overcoming strongholds and experiencing the freedom that God intends for us. If you are struggling with strongholds in your own life, I encourage you to give the 40-Day Treatment a try.

Old Testament

• Noah's Flood: It rained for 40 days and 40 nights during the flood (Genesis 7:4, 12, 17).

• Moses on Mount Sinai: Moses stayed on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights without eating bread or drinking water while receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 24:18; 34:28).

• Spying on Canaan: The Israelite spies explored the land of Canaan for 40 days (Numbers 13:25).

• Elijah's Journey to Horeb: Elijah traveled 40 days and 40 nights to reach Mount Horeb after being fed by an angel (1 Kings 19:8).

• Goliath's Challenge: Goliath challenged the Israelites for 40 days before David defeated him (1 Samuel 17:16).

New Testament

• Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness: Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4:1-2; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:1-2).

• Jesus' Post-Resurrection Appearances: Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of 40 days after His resurrection before ascending into heaven (Acts 1:3).