When a person gives their lives to Jesus, any indwelling spirits are ‘cast out’ of their spirit, because their spirit now belongs to Jesus and his Holy Spirit dwells there. A Christian can definitely be trapped in spiritual bondage, a spiritual stronghold. But practically, functionally, in a “who’s calling the shots” way, yes. They’ve been purchased by Christ’s blood. So a Christian can be “filled” with an evil spirit, but can a Christian be owned by one? Eternally, ultimately, legally, no. Their hearts were “filled” with Satan just as Peter’s was “filled with the Spirit.” That’s a spiritual stronghold. Just ask Annanias and Sapphira in the book of Acts, chapter 5. It’s possible to give the devil power over us to the point where his thoughts are woven into our own, so that he is able to “set up shop” in our hearts and exercise a form of rule there. When people ask me whether a Christian can be demon- possessed, what they’re usually asking is, “Can a Christian be indwelled by an evil spirit?” or, “Can an evil spirit possess a Christian?” or, “Can Christian be possessed by a demon?” Those are very different questions. So what is spiritual bondage? Spiritual bondage is giving Satan a measure of control (a spiritual stronghold) and living under that control. The Bible teaches that persistent disobedience can lead to spiritual bondage. As Paul said, “Y ou were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” (Ephesians 2:1-2).
That’s a spiritual stronghold in your mind. If I could convince you that a piano would fall from the sky and crush you if you go outside (a lie), I could keep you indoors (I’d have power over you).
We give him control by giving him power, and that power over us is the essence of spiritual bondage. Now, most people don’t give Satan control or create a spiritual stronghold on purpose it happens without them realizing they’re doing it. When a demon has control, it’s because they’ve been given control in the form of a spiritual stronghold.
Define stronghold free#
Here I should point out that even in cases of extreme spiritual bondage, the devil cannot override our free will. Demonization is used to describe situations when people have become so afflicted with a demonic entity that they are unable to function normally. The literal translation of these words is “demonized.” In practical reality, every person on earth is under demonic influence to some degree, ranging from subtle to extreme. Believe it or not, neither phrase make an appearance in the original languages. While the phrase”demon-possessed” appears in many Bible translations, the phrase “demon-oppressed” doesn’t. Spiritual bondage and demonic possession / demonic oppression Let me define a few terms so you can get a handle on what spiritual bondage is, and how it relates to a spiritual stronghold. ‘Spiritual bondage’ describes places in our lives where we’ve become entangled in sin, lies, and/or demonization. What is the meaning of spiritual bondage? What is a spiritual stronghold?