2 Corinthians 10:4 English Standard Version (ESV)
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Destroying strongholds has become a more daunting task for me over the last year. Strongholds can be known as distractions, revenge, others harming you, perhaps a tyrannical employer, a sour neighbor, a device or habit… so many things can easily become strongholds.
And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.
Much like Daniel in the furnace, the Power of God can literally lift a believer out of harm, avoiding the burn of the furnace, and even curing an otherwise impossible ailment.
Even more, the power of saying no to the things in your life that have no bearing will bring contentment, joy, and an overflowing peace that lasts.
This brings the hard question to front and center… What do you need to say No to?
With the “no” statement, a man of God will find confidence to take his next steps. Confidence to lay aside the useless habits and strongholds that have otherwise “held him back.” For in 10 years of recovery ministries, I have never heard someone say, “I loved doing that drug” or “I wish i would’ve gone on sinning longer.”
There is power is NO. No lies, no hate, no vengeance, no animosity, no abuse, no selfishness, no thank you. What is the LAST thing you said no to?
Can you picture putting down the smart phone or the laptop and say no to that for a day?
Can you imagine saying no the the next argument? Say no to the desire to fight back?
Can you remember the “Just say no” campaign from junior high?
We laughed back then but what a change could have taken place if I heeded those words.
No man has power to retain the spirit, or powerover the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it.
Isn’t it an incredible thing to know that although no man has power of the day of death, (in that we will all die in the flesh) but EVERY MAN has the power of no?
Every man has the power to no. No more wasting time. No more wanting. No more envy and strife. No more loss of time and life to the useless habits surrounding us today.
There is power in no! Every time you say no to those things you are saying YES to the next thing God has in store for you!
Barnabas Man 