Faith Filled Family Magazine August 2016 | Page 23
BONDAGES
AND
STRONGHOLDS
By Julie Merin
“The Devil Made Me Do It!!”
“The devil made me do it!”
We’ve all probably heard that
expression before, usually from
someone who has done something wrong, but doesn’t want
to take responsibility for it. The
expression may also be used in
a joking way. The fact is, though,
that many people are dealing
with what are often referred to
as strongholds in their lives.
These strongholds exercise
such an influence and pressure
on a person that it may seem
that the person almost has no
choice but to indulge in whatever sinful, damaging behavior
or attitude the stronghold pro-
motes.
Opinions are divided as to what
strongholds are in fact. Are they
merely deeply entrenched bad
habits, or are they the result of
demonic influence? Perhaps
the more important issue is that
of knowing how to recognize