Anointed for Breakthrough: Shatter Every Stronghold

Strongholds.

Now this is one of the words that Christians talk about often that I have never gotten the chance to really study. So I’m glad for this opportunity today.

In my studies, I learnt that in a spiritual sense, a stronghold can be positive or it can be negative. 

A stronghold is a deep mindset, belief, or habit that can either protect or hold a person hostage. 

It can be positive—providing refuge and strength in God—or negative—being a false belief or sinful pattern that hinders spiritual growth.

Psalm 18 verse 2 (AMP) points us to the positive meaning of the word stronghold.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold.” 

So a stronghold can be a place of safety and protection when it refers to God as our defense and refuge.

Now a stronghold can also be a mental or spiritual barrier that opposes God’s truth—often created by deception, fear, pride, or sin. These are strongholds that need to be torn down through divine power.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ.”

Today, we are seeking fresh anointing to break negative strongholds.

The anointing we know is the enablement of the Holy Spirit that empowers believers to fulfill God’s purpose, operate in their calling, and manifest His presence in their lives.

This anointing from God is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a divine empowerment that destroys yokes and removes burdens. 

Isaiah 10:27 declares, “So it will be in that day that the burden of the Assyrian will be removed from your shoulders and his yoke from your neck. The yoke will be broken because of the fat (anointing oil).” 

This means that when God’s anointing is upon your life, no stronghold—whether spiritual, mental, emotional, or financial—can remain intact. 

Strongholds are deeply rooted patterns, lies of the enemy, or sins that keep believers from walking in total freedom. They can manifest as fear, addiction, doubt, generational curses, depression, or cycles of failure. 

But the anointing comes to shatter every chain and set captives free.

Receiving breakthrough from these strongholds begins with full surrender to God. 

James 4:7 instructs us to submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.” 

Many believers struggle because they try to resist the enemy without first yielding to God. In fact I can say I have been guilty of that. How many of us try to deal with our problems on our own? Even though Jesus said in 1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”

What we must understand is that true deliverance begins when we humble ourselves, confess our struggles, and invite the Holy Spirit to work within us. More than knowing it, we must believe it.

The anointing we need for breakthrough and to shatter every stronghold is received through prayer, fasting, and spending time in God’s Word. 

Psalm 92:10 says, “But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; I am anointed with fresh oil [for Your service].” 

Again, we emphasize that a fresh anointing is needed daily because strongholds do not break by human effort but by divine power.

One of the strongest weapons against these strongholds is renewing the mind with truth. 

Romans 12:2 states, “And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes].” 

Family, lies of the enemy must be replaced with God’s truth. 

If fear has been a stronghold, replace it with 2 Timothy 1:7 - “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline.” 

If addiction has been a stronghold, declare John 8:36: “So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.”

If anxiety has been a stronghold, replace it with Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your specific requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace which transcends all understanding, that peace which stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus] is yours.”

If feelings of unworthiness have been a stronghold, declare Ephesians 2:10: “For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].”

Speaking the Word aloud, meditating on it, and declaring it in faith activates the anointing that breaks the chains.

So how do we know a stronghold is shattered? When the cycle is broken and there is no longer an internal war keeping you bound. 

We know a stronghold is fully destroyed when we experience true peace and freedom in that area. 

Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” 

Peace is evidence of deliverance. If the struggle tries to return, recognize that we are no longer enslaved and take authority in the name of Jesus. 

Walking in the anointing after breakthrough means staying filled with the Spirit, guarding your mind, and remaining in God’s presence. 

Ephesians 6:11 urges us, “Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.”

Now, breakthrough and shattering strongholds Family, is not just about being free; it is about walking in power to help others be free. 

Isaiah 61:1 proclaims, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me to bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted, to proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives and freedom to prisoners.” 

What happens is that our testimony becomes a weapon, and our anointing grows as we help others break free. 

So what must we do? We have to stay in the Word, abide in God’s presence, and walk daily in the anointing that leads to breakthroughs, shatters strongholds and establishes God’s kingdom here on earth.

aub - 24Feb25

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