5 Steps to Victory Over Spiritual Strongholds

“5 Steps to Victory Over Spiritual Strongholds” is a practical, Scripture-filled guide to breaking free from fear, shame, anxiety, and unforgiveness. With insights from Işik Abla and five clear steps, you’ll learn how to identify the root, reject the lie, and replace it with God’s truth—so you can live boldly, joyfully, and free in Christ.

 

The Invisible Chains That Bind Us

Do you ever feel trapped by your own thoughts or past mistakes? Maybe you want to lead a Bible study … or talk to your neighbor about Christ … or go on a mission trip … but fear holds you back. Or perhaps you struggle in relationships, unsure how to break unhealthy patterns.

You’re not alone. Many believers live limited lives because of unseen spiritual strongholds—fear, lies, wounds, or mental habits that feel unshakable.

“Strongholds are lies we believe—false towers the enemy builds in our minds” (Işik Abla, Break Through series).

The apostle Paul reminds us that our battles are not physical:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3–4 ESV).

The good news? God has already given us everything we need in His Word to gain victory over spiritual strongholds.

1. Recognize the Roots

Spiritual strongholds rarely begin as obvious issues. They often take root in overlooked places—quiet compromises, emotional wounds, or subtle lies.

Over time, these roots produce fruit like fear, addiction, or insecurity. Trying to fix the behavior without dealing with the root leads to exhaustion.

Some of the most common roots of strongholds include:

• Unconfessed sin
• Lies about yourself, God, or others
• Unforgiveness
• Generational patterns
• Occult practices—even seemingly harmless ones like horoscopes,

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (Psalm 139:23 ESV).

As Işik Abla explains, “You can’t fight what you can’t see.” God doesn’t expose these things to shame us, but rather to heal us and to set us free.

Ask Him to reveal the root and start the process of repentance and renewal.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36 ESV).

2. Replace Lies with Truth

Every stronghold is built on a lie. Every breakthrough begins with truth. Strongholds start off seductively but end in a stranglehold.

These lies shape your emotions, decisions, and habits.

That’s why it’s not enough to identify the lie—you must renounce it. Işik Abla teaches, “The enemy has no legal ground unless we give it to him.” When you believe a lie, you’re giving darkness permission to stay. But when you declare the truth, you revoke that permission.

Here are a few examples of what that can look like:

• Fear says, “You aren’t safe.” God says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV).
• Loneliness says, “You’ll be alone forever.” God says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV).
• Sin says, “No one will ever know.” God says, “Nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known” (Luke 8:17 ESV).
• Addiction says, “You’ll never break free.” God says, “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2 ESV).
• Anxiety says, “Here comes a panic attack.” God says, “Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6 ESV).
• Anger says, “You’re right; keep lashing out.” God says, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19 ESV).
• Lust says, “Just do what feels good.” God says, “For this is the will of God … that you abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 ESV).
• Shame says, “You’ll always be guilty.” God says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 ESV).
• Performance says, “You have to keep proving your value.” God says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV).
• Unforgiveness says, “You have a right to hold a grudge.” God says, “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Colossians 3:13 ESV).

Choose one or two of these verses, and memorize them, so you can declare the truth over your mind.

“Every time you say yes to the truth, a lie loses its power” (Işik Abla). 

3. Take Every Thought Captive

When we allow lies and intrusive thoughts to run rampant through our minds, we are allowing them to become patterns. But you can learn to take control!

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV).

You don’t have to believe everything you think! It takes practice, but you can learn to recognize and reject lies and replace them with God’s Word. Strongholds take time to build and time to dismantle. But victory is possible through daily obedience.

4. Forgive to Be Free

Unforgiveness is one of the most common and most damaging.

“Unforgiveness is a cage you sit in, while holding the key” (Işik Abla).

Forgiving someone doesn’t necessarily mean restoring the relationship or excusing the offense. It means releasing your right to revenge and trusting God with justice.

As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive (Colossians 3:13 ESV).

Say it out loud over and over again if needed. The feelings may follow later—but freedom starts with the choice to obey.

5. Worship and Declare Victory Together

Worship is a spiritual weapon. It breaks chains—just like it did for Paul and Silas in Acts 16.

All the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened (v. 26 ESV).

“When you lift your hands, walls come down” (Işik Abla).

You don’t have to worship alone. Surround yourself with believers who speak truth, pray boldly, and praise God beside you. Strongholds fall faster when we worship together.

Step into Unlimited Living

Victory over spiritual strongholds is possible. God has given you the weapons. Now it’s time to use them.

Take one small step today:

• Forgive someone
• Declare truth out loud
• Seek godly help
• Read Ephesians 6:10–18
• Memorize a verse above

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV).

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Ready to go deeper? Watch Işik Abla’s Break Through series on Strengthen Your Walk^TM.