COMMUNITY TAKING STRATEGIES: Your Community – The House Of A Strong Man

All over the world today, the Spirit of the Living God is quietly stirring a holy movement within the Body of Christ. Churches everywhere are being led by the Holy Spirit to re-examine what it truly means to be effective in ministry — especially in reaching and transforming their communities for the Kingdom of God.

God is shifting our focus away from measuring success by outward things like church size, number of programs, spiritual gifts, popularity, or material wealth. Instead, the Lord is calling us to focus on what truly matters: making a lasting and godly impact in the lives of people within our cities and local communities.

We must rise up and respond with compassion, just as Jesus did when He saw the multitudes and was moved deeply for them (Mark 6:34). We must stop judging or isolating ourselves from the people around us. Rather, we must begin to build spiritual bridges — shining our light and being the salt of the earth as Jesus commanded (Matthew 5:13–14).

Pastors and ministers of the Gospel must no longer see themselves as limited to the pulpit inside the church building. Instead, they must embrace their calling as spiritual watchmen and shepherds over their entire community (Luke 19:41). If we truly desire to see transformation, one of the most foundational and effective strategies is to identify and confront the “strong man” — the demonic influence that holds the people in spiritual bondage.

A. JESUS SPOKE ABOUT A STRONG MAN — Luke 11:21–22; Mark 3:27; Matthew 12:29

When Jesus referred to the “strong man,” He was speaking of demonic powers — spiritual rulers of darkness. A strong man is a territorial spirit that rules over a particular “house,” which can be a city, region, town, neighborhood, or community.

This evil power dominates and resists any spiritual interference. He holds people (God’s beloved creation) as his goods, keeping them in bondage under his oppressive control. The result is a spiritual darkness over the area, blocking the light and glory of God from shining freely. In such places, churches often have only minimal impact or presence.

B. THE BATTLE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES IS SPIRITUAL — Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 4:3–4

The Word of God makes it clear: our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Satan is obsessed with nations and cities — he wants to rule them (Isaiah 14:12; Revelation 20:3).

We cannot win our cities for Christ without first overthrowing the strong man who has placed spiritual blindness over the hearts of the people.

Biblical examples show this clearly:

Jesus Himself defeated the devil in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry (Matthew 4:1–11).
In the Old Testament, revival came only when idolatry — the strong man’s foothold — was torn down (2 Kings 17:29–31).
In Samaria, great breakthrough happened after the power of sorcery was broken (Acts 8:5–13).
The Apostle Paul had to confront demonic powers in Ephesus before the Word of God could prevail (Acts 19:11–20).
The church in Pergamum was corrupted because it tolerated the presence of the strong man (Revelation 2:12–16).

Evangelism, church growth, and true spiritual health begin with victory in spiritual warfare. Without dealing with the strong man, we may preach and labor in vain — souls may not be saved.

C. HOW DEMONS GAIN CONTROL OVER COMMUNITIES

How do strong men gain access to rule over communities and regions? Often, they are invited in — knowingly or unknowingly — through acts that open spiritual doors. These include:

Deep emotional trauma and fear.
Covenants made for protection, prosperity, or fertility.
Ancestor worship and traditional rituals.
Curiosity about the unseen or supernatural world.
Pagan sacrifices, idol festivals, and fetish practices.
Initiation ceremonies or secret societies.
Occult practices and witchcraft operations.

These evil spirits often leave physical or symbolic signs of their presence. These may include shrines, sacred rivers, demonic altars, trees believed to be sacred, or a feared spiritual “custodian” — a man or woman recognized as a spiritual authority tied to dark powers (Acts 8:5–13).

In Nigeria, strong men are often linked to ancient deities such as Ogun, Sango, Oya, Osun, Yemoja, Olokun, Zangbeto, Aiyelala, Eyo, Egungun, and Igunnuko — each tied to specific towns, tribes, and customs.

D. SIGNS THAT A STRONG MAN IS OPERATING IN A COMMUNITY

How can you recognize the presence of a strong man in a community? The following signs are often seen:

Widespread poverty and hardship.
Sickness, decay, and premature death.
Frequent disasters, disappointments, and hopelessness.
Darkness — spiritual and physical — over the land.
Generational failure, misfortune, and sorrow.
High rate of pastors falling into sin or giving up ministry.
Increase in violence, immorality, and sexual perversion.
Churches that are few, struggling, or closing down.

Some communities experience total stagnation — no functioning electricity, constant tragedy, and deep-rooted poverty. These are symptoms of spiritual oppression — evidence that a strong man is in control.

E. HOW TO REMOVE THE STRONG MAN OVER YOUR COMMUNITY — James 4:6–7

Before planting or growing a local church in any area, the first spiritual assignment is to identify, weaken, and dislodge the strong man ruling that community. This was the divine strategy of Jesus Christ — He dealt with Satan before beginning His public mission (Matthew 4:11–16).

You cannot truly impact a territory until you first conquer the powers controlling it. But praise be to God — we have victory in Christ! Jesus has given us spiritual authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19; Ephesians 2:6; 1:20–22).

Our spiritual weapons are mighty through God — and we are not left helpless. We war from a place of victory because:

Jesus has come
The Church has come
The Kingdom of God has come

Steps to Evict the Strong Man:

Seek the Lord to identify the strong man over the territory.
Mobilize intercessors and spiritual warriors — those called to stand in the gap.
Live in personal holiness — your spiritual authority is tied to your walk with God.
Engage in deep fasting and prayer — spiritual battles require spiritual preparation.
Use your divine weapons:
- The Name of Jesus
- The Blood of Jesus
- The Word of God
- Praise and worship as a spiritual weapon
Possess the land physically — take spiritual authority over the area by your presence and prayers (Joshua 1:8).

POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS

Lord, I purge myself of every spiritual weakness or vulnerability — in Jesus’ Name.
Lord, I take spiritual responsibility for the condition of my community.
Lord, open my spiritual eyes to discern the strong man over this area.
In Jesus’ Name, I resist every strong man operating in this territory.
I dethrone every demonic ruler assigned to my community — by the power of the Holy Ghost!

May the Lord empower His church to rise in discernment, spiritual boldness, and unwavering authority — to break the chains of darkness over our communities, and establish the dominion of Jesus Christ in every land. Amen!