Why am I not becoming like Christ?
If you are a believer in Christ, and you are not filled with love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (the fruit of the Holy Spirit) there is a reason.
The catalyst that God used to change me after 30 years was simple, and it was fast. I had a stronghold and I prayed with deep grief and pain for God to take it from me. If the idea of having something cast out of you by God makes you feel something negative, I felt the same way for many years, that is why I never changed. I wanted to change, but in a way that was acceptable and “normal” to me. I was always uncomfortable around people who were always talking about demons and casting everything out. But when you are you are at a point where you are really wanting to take your own life, in that moment of deep pain and suffering, your view of God removing things from you becomes an obvious option.
The reason that I was not changing into what God called me to be was that I had a stronghold in my life, it was an area in which the enemy of God had a foothold. You may have been a christian for many years, but there can be an area that is controlled by the enemy. This will keep you from changing. You may not believe me but please consider just listening a little to what God did for me.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12
I had been reading the bible almost every day, going to church and praying for 30 years. I would discover after being a believer for all those years, that the text, “for anger gives a foothold to the devil.” is true, and that a foothold creates a stronghold for the enemy over time, and will block you from every having any spiritual growth.
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:4
Christ can free us from strongholds
A Stronghold
A stronghold is something that is blocking your heart from being completely free in Christ. It can be just one thing or several things. Most of the time it is something that you do not recognize in yourself. Others may notice it in you, but you do not. There are a set number of areas in our heart and if just one of those areas is sinful and controlled by the influence of the enemy, than you can never fully feel free, because you are not free. Totally free means that there is absolutely nothing in your life that you are not willing to pray to Christ to remove from your life.
A belief in something that is wrong
Hatred towards a person or a group of people
Not being able to admit you are wrong
An addiction to something
Something that means more to you than Christ
Desire for revenge
Refusal to forgive a person or people
Not being able to love or show love to others
Angry outbursts and rage
You have been going to church, reading your bible and praying, but you are not much different than before you gave your life to Christ
The reason can be that you have a stronghold in your life, an area in which the enemy of God has a foothold. You may have been a christian for many years, but there is an area that is controlled by the enemy. this will keep you from changing.