December 12, 2020
Ending Habitual Sin
In the old testament, a stronghold was a place of safety and protection from enemy attack. We frequently see the term used to describe God in David’s writings—as, for example, in Psalm 18:2, Psalm 31:2, and Psalm 59:16.
A stronghold is also useful to the devil, but the kind he builds isn’t for refuge. (See 2 Corinthians 10:4.) Rather, it’s a prison to keep us locked in habitual sin—a place of constant deception and temptation.
For a believer, breaking out of this kind of stronghold may be difficult, but it’s not impossible. That’s because Christ has set us free from the dominion of sin, and God has provided spiritual armor for our protection. So why do we still struggle with habitual sin? The reason is because we receive temporary comfort, pleasure, and satisfaction from these ingrained patterns of behavior. However, any “benefit” is deceptive, and guilt and shame will eventually follow.
Just thinking about giving up a sinful habit brings some people to the brink of despair, even though they long to be free. But the Holy Spirit’s power is enough to enable any believer to walk out of Satan’s stranglehold and into God’s stronghold.
Bible in One Year: 2 Thessalonians 1-3
