“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 AMP

 

As humans, we live on this earth in the realm of the flesh. We function in the sense realm through our five physical senses – touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. But we must remember that there is also a spirit realm and we must learn to be aware of and sensitive to the things of God like we already are to the things of the world. Although this earth realm is our reality, the battles we fight are spiritual battles. We must remember that people themselves are not our enemies – the devil is the enemy. However, we have the advantage – God is on our side! He gives us spiritual weapons to deal with a spiritual foe.

 

2 Corinthians 10:4 (NAS) says, “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses”. Our weapons are divinely powerful – the weight of heaven is behind us – resulting in the overthrow and destruction of strongholds. We cannot war in our own ability, but we war in the power and might of the Holy Spirit, because the fortresses, or strongholds, that we wage war against are not in the flesh or up in the air somewhere – they are found in the minds of people! The battle arena for the spirits of men is the soul – the mind, the emotions and the intellect. Only God’s word and His Spirit can penetrate the darkness of a blind mind.

 

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NIV

 

The devil – referred to here as the god of this age – has blinded the minds of many people with his lies and corruption. They think that they know the truth and they think that they are right, but they cannot see the truth and they refuse to see the truth. The fortresses and strongholds in people’s minds are arguments, theories, reasoning, attitudes, opinions and imaginations that oppose the true knowledge of God. Because of pride and arrogance, people believe a lie and in their minds, set themselves against the truth. God’s word is the truth and it is the only reality. Anything else is a lie and will lead you into darkness, confusion and destruction.

 

Either God or the devil is holding every person’s thoughts and purposes captive. We fight a battle to capture our own thoughts and purposes and the thoughts and purposes of others with the word of God and the Spirit of God. Instead of thoughts being held captive by the devil – we capture them for Jesus. We must cast down vain imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Our thoughts and motivation must be lead captive into the obedience of Christ – the Anointed One. The anointing will capture your mind and heart if you will allow him to work freely in you. Don’t allow your thoughts to run wild – reign them in and control them with the word and the anointing. If you wish to succeed in your life you must control your thoughts – you don’t let them control you.

 

But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.  2 Corinthians 3:14-18 NKJ

 

The light of God’s word will shine in to bring truth and life and freedom into our lives. When we receive the truth of the Gospel, the veil that was on our heart is removed in Christ. We can now receive the truth and we can begin to understand God’s word and come to know His heart for us. Just as God’s word and His anointing have transformed us, so they will transform others. Always be bold to preach the truth of the Gospel and to allow the anointing of the Holy Ghost to flow through you so that the strongholds that hold people prisoner may be brought down, demolished and destroyed. So that they may walk in the liberty Jesus purchased with His blood and so that they may be transformed into His image, from glory to glory.