“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (KJV)
As believers in Christ, if we are going to transform our communities and bring people into the Kingdom of God, we must first understand the spiritual strongholds that Satan has built. This Scripture is well-known among Christians, but many still do not fully understand what “strongholds” really mean in the context of winning our communities and cities for Christ.
Breaking down these demonic fortresses is essential if we are to carry out effective evangelism in our towns, cities, and nation. God has called the Church to be a light to the nations and a voice in the land—but strongholds often block this assignment.
A. WHAT ARE STRONGHOLDS? (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Jeremiah 1:10)
In biblical terms, a stronghold is a fortified spiritual structure or mindset that the enemy uses to resist the truth and hinder the will of God. Satan builds these as spiritual fortresses—sometimes in the minds of people, in families, in systems of society, and even over cities and nations.
They are spiritual barriers that resist the move of God and the preaching of the gospel. The devil often hides these strongholds so they are not easily recognized, yet they remain powerful obstacles to kingdom advancement.
God has commissioned the Church to identify, pull down, and destroy these strongholds. As His ambassadors, we are to plant, build, uproot, and overthrow anything that is contrary to His will (Jeremiah 1:10).
B. EIGHT MAJOR TYPES OF STRONGHOLDS
1. Personal Strongholds (John 14:30)
These are spiritual vulnerabilities in an individual’s life that give Satan access. These could be sinful habits, emotional wounds, bitterness, fear, or pride. These serve as cracks in the armor through which the enemy attacks believers.
To overcome these, the believer must walk in humility, repentance, and pursue a holy and victorious life. These strongholds must be dealt with personally through deliverance and discipleship.
2. Social Strongholds (James 1:27)
These refer to systemic issues such as injustice, racism, tribalism, poverty, and corruption that deceive communities into believing God is absent or unconcerned.
We break these down by becoming the hands and feet of Christ:
- Feeding the hungry
- Sheltering the homeless
- Clothing the needy
- Reconciling tribes and racial groups
- Promoting social justice as a testimony of God’s love
3. Strongholds Between the Church and the Community
Satan has built walls of mistrust and disconnection between the Church and the people. Some communities see the Church as irrelevant or judgmental, largely due to past hurts, scandals, or lack of outreach.
To break this:
- Churches should repent for past wrongs (Nehemiah-style intercession)
- Build relationships with local authorities and community leaders
- Host community events and offer support to civil institutions
- Sponsor projects that demonstrate love and care
When the Church becomes a pillar of support and not a fortress of separation, these walls begin to fall.
4. Sectarian Strongholds (Psalm 133:1–3; John 13:34–35; Mark 3:25)
These are divisions within the body of Christ caused by denominational pride, doctrinal superiority, or isolationism.
Churches in the same city often see each other as rivals instead of co-laborers. Big churches may look down on smaller ones. Suspicion and competition abound. But the Church was designed to be united in purpose, not divided in structure.
To defeat this stronghold, we must:
- Embrace unity in diversity
- Promote inter-church fellowship
- Encourage joint community evangelism and prayer meetings
Unity is a weapon against the forces of darkness (1 John 3:8).
5. Occultic Strongholds (Luke 10:19)
These are strongholds rooted in witchcraft, idol worship, ancestral practices, and false religions. Satan empowers territorial spirits through altars, rituals, charms, and sacrifices.
Common manifestations include:
- Shrines
- Mystic temples
- Herbalists
- Occult sects
- Yoga and Grail movements
To break these:
- Identify the locations of occultic influence
- Carry out prophetic prayer walks
- Raise prayer altars in those areas
- Engage in territorial intercession
6. Seats of Satan (Revelation 2:13)
These are physical locations under heavy demonic oppression, often marked by idolatrous worship or blood sacrifices. These can include:
- Markets
- Junctions
- Rivers
- Trees
- Swamps
- Mountains
In such places, churches often struggle unless they engage in spiritual warfare to break the territorial grip.
Tools for breaking this include:
- Prayer rallies
- Prophetic declarations
- Fasting and intercession
- Worship altars raised in those locations
7. Territorial Strongholds
These arise when founding fathers or traditional leaders enter covenants with deities, dedicating lands, towns, or cities to idols in exchange for blessings.
These covenants are reinforced through:
- Festivals
- Rituals
- Sacrifices
- Ceremonies
These spirits then dominate the land, resisting revival and keeping people in spiritual bondage.
Their effects:
- Block spiritual light
- Release deception
- Keep communities in darkness
We must rise up in apostolic and prophetic authority to:
- Break these covenants
- Raise godly altars
- Proclaim Jesus as Lord over the land
Recommended Reading
Factors That Stagnate Churches
Top Ten Lessons from the Life of Rachel
Freedom From Demons (Video)
8. Strongholds Inside the Church (Mark 1:23)
These are demonic influences that operate within the Church, causing:
- Lukewarmness
- Scandals
- Religious routine without power
- Division
- Immorality
Satan plants agents in churches to hinder revival from within. This includes:
- False doctrines
- Witchcraft influences
- Demonic infiltration
The Church must cleanse itself first. As Jesus said, “Physician, heal thyself.” Only then can we go outside to liberate others.
C. HOW TO BREAK SPIRITUAL STRONGHOLDS (Exodus 17:11–13)
- Recognize and Understand the Stronghold
- Conduct spiritual mapping and community diagnosis
- Research the root causes and entry points
- Do Not Underestimate the Enemy
- Satan works subtly and loves to be ignored or underestimated
- Raise Intercessors and Watchmen
- Mobilize prayer warriors; they are the Church’s frontline
- Seek the Lord for Revelation and Strategy
- Don’t rush. Wait upon the Lord for clear guidance
- Repent, Walk in Humility, and Make Restitution
- Repentance disarms the enemy’s legal ground
- Operate in the Opposite Spirit
- Show love where there is hate, peace where there is division, joy where there is sorrow
- Take Spiritual Authority (Romans 16:20)
- Declare and decree God’s Word over the land. Satan is under our feet.
- Engage in Outward Spiritual Warfare
- Go out of the church walls!
- Conduct prayer walks, open-air evangelism, and declarations over the land (Genesis 13:17)
“Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you…”
— Joshua 1:3
FINAL WORD:
The battle for our communities is not physical—it is spiritual. And God has empowered the Church with divine weapons to tear down every stronghold. Let us rise up as spiritual warriors, united in Christ, bold in faith, and equipped by the Holy Spirit to bring lasting revival and transformation to our cities and nations.