Gomer: Strongholds

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling

down strongholds…2 Corinthians 10:4. reinforced

Gomer struggled with sin. She was a prostitute whose appetite for fornication controlled her life. Even though God had given her a godly husband and three children, her sinful pattern prevailed. It seems that a stronghold controlled Gomer’s life. You may be thinking, “That could never happen to me.” Even so, heed this warning because Gomer is not alone. Believers, too, can have errored thinking, which provides a platform for strongholds to take root in their lives. Of course, these errored thoughts are contrary to God’s Word and push against divine truth. These endure through a painful pattern that we fortify. That’s right, we reinforce it! Strongholds are strengthened and encouraged by an unhealthy thought life. So unwittingly, with prideful hearts, we feed its existence. Here’s a definition for thought life. It’s what we think about, what our minds uphold, including the lies we’ve believed about ourselves, plus memories, both good and bad.

We are at war! There’s been a battle for our minds and, ultimately, our hearts since the garden. One scholar explained: “A spiritual stronghold is a habitual pattern of thought that’s destructive.” These thoughts are false, unprofitable, and often hostile. Watch this! They push against God and are always contrary to God’s Word – they’re lies! If it’s errored, what we think and believe about ourselves is akin to a bad tape on repeat. It only changes when we change our thoughts. According to Romans 8, Satan and his minions want to capture people’s minds. Why? The mind is the citadel of the soul. He who controls the mind controls the man. Indeed, the mind is a very strategic place!

Yes, our beliefs are crucial! They govern us, guide our thoughts, and control our actions. We don’t act apart from thought, for the two go hand in hand. Although God had married Gomer to Hosea, who the Bible typifies as the prophet of love, she remained unfaithful. What I haven’t mentioned is this. When God intentionally wed them, it was to expose Israel’s spiritual adultery against the backdrop of God’s covenant and faithful, devoted love. Indeed, because Gomer’s sin was so public, all of Israel got God’s message. Remember, God had given Hosea the command to marry a harlot – a prostitute -anʾiššâ zenû·nîm, for this unique purpose, and he had. Then, God gave Hosea the grace to truly love her, and he did.

Although we don’t know when Gomer’s stronghold of “believing herself unworthy and unlovable” took root, we know it was before they wed and it continued. Consequently, illicit sex and her insatiable need to find love drove her passion and continued until “her thoughts” about herself changed. In other words, Gomer remained faithful to the lie as Proverbs cautions: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Here’s the irony. While practicing the lie, Gomer unwittingly reinforced or fortified her dreadful and destructive stronghold. Ideally, that’s precisely how strongholds not only survive but thrive!

So, even after marriage and birthing children, Gomer believed a lie about herself because she was void of God’s truth to combat it. The only way to defeat the enemy and tear down strongholds is as Jesus did – with scripture - pure and simple! We must know and believe God’s Word and use it effectively. (See Matthew 4:1-11.) Concerning strongholds, theologian, pastor, and author John MacArthur said: “The formidable spiritual strongholds manned by the forces of hell can be demolished only by spiritual weapons – God’s word!” (Emphasis added). Paul agrees and identifies our only weapon as “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” The Bible records: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God…” (Ephesians 6:17) (Emphasis added).

Once Gomer hit rock bottom, she was ready. Although she had been unreachable before, when she had no other hope, was exhausted, weary, worn out, and utterly enslaved, humility was born in her heart. Once humility overtook her pride, Gomer received. Since that’s key, what did she receive? Hosea’s words in her heart, and what her heart received, it believed, and, then, her mind absorbed it. Did you see that? That’s how it is with us and God’s Word! Humility is God’s gateway for truth. At long last, Gomer had a new thought, and it was true! Now, watch this! Her new thoughts cut off the enemy’s supply, and without the fuel of errored thinking, the stronghold withers and dries up. Ideally, once Gomer believed Hosea’s truth, it cut off the enemy’s access to her heart. At long last, Gomer was confirmed and hopeful! Her thoughts became honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. They were excellent and led to life instead of death!

What’s the takeaway? Pulling down strongholds refers to demolishing walls of resistance in our minds that are fueled by errored thinking and lies! God has given us unique weapons for this purpose: First and foremost, the whole counsel of God’s Word and, then, reinforcements. Support through prayer (Colossians 4:2), demonstrations of love and humility (Micah 6:8), the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), and our testimony (Revelation 12:11), which is the power of God’s Spirit working in our lives.

Prayer: Mighty and gracious Lord, remove the stronghold of pride from our lives and give us eyes to see error – that‘s anything we believe that’s contrary to Your Word! Keep us humble, Lord, and wholly reliant upon Your truth and divine power to see us through. Thank you, Jesus! Amen and amen.

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Believers, for every lie or stronghold, there’s a powerful truth from God’s Word to defeat it.

If you are struggling with depression, combat it with scripture of hope.

If it’s rejection, embrace God’s Words of acceptance and sonship.

If it’s unresolved anger, defeat it with His words of love and forgiveness.

If it’s fear, combat it with the divine Truth of the resurrection.

Rejoice! We have nothing to fear because Jesus has conquered it all -

The enemy, sin, death, and the grave!

Once you’ve identified a stronghold, go to the Bible and study the opposite truth from God’s Word. Believe it and, then commit it to your heart and memory! Repeat it, say it out loud - speak truth to the lie! When the enemy sees he’s been cut off and surrounded by humility, praise, and the truth of God’s Word, he will weaken and, then, with no access and no reinforcements coming, he will retreat! Indeed, we can cut off his lies and hope of survival with God’s Word - which is the only Truth, and it shall endure forever. Believe in God’s Word and put it to the test. Our adversary is no match for God’s Word, and he knows it!