Sam Dewald Ministries
Breaking the strongholds
- Breaking the Strongholds:As 2025 approaches, stepping into new beginnings requires shedding limitations and embracing empowerment. Breaking strongholds—whether personal, professional, or spiritual—is the key to achieving breakthroughs that redefine your path forward. Here’s how to align your actions with purpose and enter the new year ready for transformation:StrongholdsSpiritualSoulishSpiritual and Soulish Strongholds are patterns of thought, behavior, or spiritual resistance that hinder a person’s relationship with God or their ability to live in freedom and victory. These strongholds can manifest in spiritual or emotional dimensions and may require prayer, repentance, and intentional renewal of the mind to overcome.Developed By YouGenerationalJeremiah 9:6 (HCSB)6 You live in [a world] of deception. In [their] deception they refuse to know Me. [This is] the Lord's declaration.”Spiritual Strong HoldsSpiritual strongholds are deeply ingrained lies or deceptions that allow the enemy (Satan) to exert influence over an area of a person’s life. These strongholds can stem from sin, trauma, or untruths that have taken root in one’s beliefs.The Root can be:DeceptionJesus mentioned several times ‘Do not be deceivedExamples of Spiritual Strongholds:• Unbelief: Doubting God’s promises or His Word.• Fear: Paralyzing fear that keeps one from stepping into God’s will.• Pride: Over-reliance on self rather than trusting God.• Bitterness: Holding onto unforgiveness and resentment.• Idolatry: Placing something or someone above God in importance.• Addictions: Patterns of behavior or dependencies that enslave and distract from God.Scriptural Basis:• 2 Corinthians 10:4-5: “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”• Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”Soulish StrongholdsSoulish strongholds are rooted in the mind, will, and emotions (the soul). These are often formed through unresolved wounds, ungodly beliefs, or unhealthy emotional attachments. They hinder a person’s ability to align their soul with the Spirit of God.Examples of Soulish Strongholds:• Negative Thinking: Persistent thoughts of defeat, self-hatred, or hopelessness.• Emotional Wounds: Past hurts that continue to control present emotions.• Control Issues: Manipulation or domineering tendencies to protect oneself.• Dependency: Relying on people or circumstances for validation or identity instead of God.• Ungodly Soul Ties: Inappropriate emotional or physical connections that bind and hinder freedom.AssumptionsScriptural Basis:• Romans 12:2
Romans 12:2 NKJV 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.• Proverbs 23:7: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”Proverbs 23:77 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.SPIRIT | SOUL | BODY1 Thessalonians 5:23 NKJV 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.PictureThe State of the Spirit Without Christ• The Bible teaches that, apart from Christ, humanity is spiritually “dead” due to sin. This spiritual death means separation from God, who is the source of life Ephesians 2:1-3Ephesians 2:1–3 NKJV 1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.• A spiritually dead person may have physical life and emotions but lacks a living connection to God, which is the essence of true life.Belief in Jesus Brings Spiritual AwakeningWhen a person believes in Jesus, the Bible says they are “born again”John 3:3–6 NKJV 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.This refers to the Holy Spirit’s transformative work, making their spirit alive to God.• In this state, the person is reconciled to God, their sins are forgiven, and they are given a new identity as a child of God2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.The Holy Spirit’s RoleThe Holy Spirit indwells believers, enabling them to live in communion with God Romans 8:10-11Romans 8:10–11 NKJV 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.This indwelling awakens the spirit to understand spiritual truths and align with God’s will1 Corinthians 2:12–14 NKJV 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.• The awakening empowers believers to live victorious, meaningful lives and to fulfill their divine purpose.Evidence of an Awakened Spirit• A spiritually awakened person exhibits love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the SpiritGalatians 5:22–23 NKJV 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.• They develop a hunger for God’s Word, a desire to pray, and a willingness to serve others.Eternal Perspective• This awakening isn’t just for this life but assures eternal life. Believers are promised a future resurrection and eternal communion with GodJohn 11:25–26 NKJV 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”Breaking Spiritual and Soulish Strongholds1. Identify the Stronghold• Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the root cause of the stronghold.• Examine recurring thoughts, behaviors, or emotional patterns.2. Repent and Renounce:• Confess any sin or ungodly belief associated with the stronghold.• Renounce any agreements made with lies or the enemy.3. Renew Your Mind:• Replace lies with the truth of God’s Word.• Meditate on scriptures that counter the stronghold.4. Pray for Deliverance:• Seek the power of the Holy Spirit to break spiritual chains.• Consider fasting to deepen spiritual breakthroughIsaiah 58:6 NKJV 6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?5. Forgive and Release:• Let go of unforgiveness or bitterness toward others.• Forgive yourself and accept God’s grace.6. Establish Accountability:• Connect with trusted believers for prayer and encouragement.• Avoid environments or triggers that may reinforce the stronghold.1. Prayer of Repentance and SurrenderHeavenly Father,I come before You acknowledging that I have allowed strongholds to take root in my life. I repent of any sin, disobedience, or agreements with lies that have given the enemy a foothold. Forgive me, Lord, for trusting in anything other than You. I surrender my heart, mind, and will to You completely. Break every chain and destroy every stronghold in the name of Jesus. I declare that I am free by the power of Your Spirit. Amen.• Scripture:• “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)• “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)2. Prayer for Freedom from Lies and DeceptionLord Jesus,You are the Truth that sets me free. I renounce every lie and deception that I have believed. I choose to align my thoughts and beliefs with Your Word. Renew my mind and fill me with Your truth. Destroy every argument and pretense that sets itself up against the knowledge of You. I take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. By the authority of Your name, I declare that I am free from all bondage. Amen.• Scripture:• “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)• “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)3. Prayer of Forgiveness and ReleaseFather,I choose to forgive those who have wronged me, just as You have forgiven me. I release all bitterness, resentment, and anger. I refuse to allow unforgiveness to take root in my heart. I declare that through the blood of Jesus, I am free from the chains of the past. Heal my heart and restore my soul, Lord. Amen.• Scripture:• “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)• “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)4. Prayer for Breaking Generational StrongholdsLord of Heaven and Earth,I recognize that some of the struggles I face are rooted in generational patterns. I break every generational curse and sinful cycle in my family line in the name of Jesus. I declare that I am a new creation in Christ, and the old has passed away. I reject every inherited stronghold, and I stand in the victory of the cross. Amen.• Scripture:• “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” (Galatians 3:13)• “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)5. Prayer for Strength in Spiritual WarfareMighty God,You are my shield and my fortress. Teach me to stand firm in the face of spiritual opposition. Clothe me with the full armor of God so I may resist the devil’s schemes. Strengthen my faith and equip me with the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word. I declare victory over every stronghold through the name of Jesus and the power of His blood. Amen.• Scripture:• “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)• “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17)6. Declaration of FreedomIn Jesus’ name,I declare that I am no longer bound by the power of sin or the enemy. I am a child of God, redeemed and set apart for His purpose. Every chain is broken, every lie is silenced, and every stronghold is demolished. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. I am free indeed! Amen.• Scripture:• “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)• “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)Key Scriptures for Daily Meditation• Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”• Psalm 34:17: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.”• Isaiah 61:1: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”Breaking Generational StrongholdsGenerational strongholds are spiritual or soulish patterns passed down through family lines, affecting multiple generations. These strongholds often stem from sinful behaviors, unresolved traumas, or ungodly beliefs established by ancestors. They perpetuate cycles of dysfunction unless intentionally addressed through spiritual healing, repentance, and renewal.How Strongholds Become GenerationalHow Strongholds Become Generational1. Inherited Sin Patterns• Family members may model and perpetuate sinful behaviors or attitudes (e.g., anger, addiction, fear, pride).• Children often absorb these patterns as “normal” and repeat them in their own lives.• Example: A family with a history of substance abuse may pass on both the behavior and the emotional wounds that accompany it.• Scripture: “The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” (Numbers 14:18)2. Spiritual Curses• Ungodly actions, such as idolatry or occult involvement, can open doors for spiritual oppression in a family line.• Without repentance, these spiritual “legal rights” can remain active, binding future generations.• Scripture: “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.” (Exodus 20:5)3. Unresolved Emotional Wounds• Trauma and emotional wounds can leave scars that ripple through families. For instance, abuse, neglect, or rejection in one generation often leads to similar experiences in the next.• These wounds create soulish strongholds such as bitterness, fear, or mistrust.4. Negative Words or Labels• Families can pass down harmful labels or beliefs about identity, value, or abilities, creating a mindset of failure, rejection, or inadequacy.• Example: A parent saying, “You’ll never amount to anything,” may create a cycle of low self-esteem and self-sabotage.• Scripture: “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)5. Generational Beliefs or Traditions• Families may embrace ungodly traditions or beliefs that lead to strongholds.• Example: A family culture of greed, materialism, or distrust in God’s provision can perpetuate financial idolatry.6. Unforgiveness and Bitterness• Families that harbor bitterness or refuse to reconcile often pass on cycles of broken relationships, anger, and division.• Scripture: “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” (Hebrews 12:15)Breaking Generational StrongholdsGenerational strongholds can be broken through the authority of Jesus Christ. Here’s how:1. Acknowledge the Pattern• Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal generational patterns of sin, dysfunction, or spiritual oppression.2. Repent for Generational Sin• Take responsibility by confessing the sins of your ancestors, even if you didn’t commit them personally. This act acknowledges their influence and seeks God’s mercy.• Scripture: “If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their ancestors—their unfaithfulness and their hostility toward Me—then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, I will remember My covenant.” (Leviticus 26:40-42)3. Renounce Curses and Agreements• Renounce any generational curses or agreements made with the enemy on behalf of your family. Declare that they have no power over you through the blood of Jesus.• Prayer: “In Jesus’ name, I break every generational curse and sinful pattern in my family line. I declare that these strongholds have no authority over me or my descendants. I am a new creation in Christ.”4. Replace Lies with Truth• Use God’s Word to replace ungodly beliefs or traditions.• Scripture: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)5. Dedicate Your Family Line to God• Pray for God’s blessings, healing, and freedom for yourself and future generations.• Scripture: “But showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:6)Practical Steps for Freedom1. Personal Repentance: Confess and repent of your sins and those of your family.2. Prayer and Fasting: Seek spiritual breakthrough through prayer and fasting.3. Generational Blessing: Speak blessings over your children and future generations.4. Healing of Emotional Wounds: Seek counsel or deliverance ministry if emotional wounds persist.7- Day Devotional 2 Corinthians 10:4–5NKJV
Ephesians 6:12NKJV
Romans 12:2NKJV
Proverbs 23:7NKJV
1 Thessalonians 5:23NKJV
Ephesians 2:1–3NKJV
John 3:3NKJV
2 Corinthians 5:17NKJV
Romans 8:10–11NKJV
1 Corinthians 2:12–14NKJV
Galatians 5:22–23NKJV
John 11:25–26NKJV
Leviticus 26:40–42NKJV
Exodus 20:6NKJV
1 Thessalonians 5:23NKJV
