Stinkin' Thinkin'

“Think you can, think you can’t. Either way you are probably right” is a statement that has been attributed to Henry Ford. The profound truth of this statement is that our thoughts either liberate or imprison us. This truth is applicable to all areas of our lives: relationships, education, careers, hobbies and spirituality. How I think, will determine my level or intensity of engagement: am I capable or incapable? Worthy or unworthy?

Limiting thoughts or beliefs produce strongholds that dictate our lifestyles. These strongholds are carefully crafted arguments that are used to justify or support our underlying limiting beliefs. Each time something happens that supports one of these arguments; it is adding another brick to the walls of our stronghold, further solidifying the “truth” of the underlying belief.

One arena where strongholds are so prevalent is within “the church.” Much of Christianity is built around a certain set of beliefs that are considered sacred and unchangeable. These strongholds affect the way we do church and includes such things as service structure, type of music, programs of ministry and organizational structure. The unfortunate aspect is that many of these beliefs are the traditions of men and not the truth of the Word of God.

To me it is interesting that Jesus first message was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17). The word here “repent” means to “think differently.” Jesus came to a society stifled with a system of religious legalistic conduct: his first words were to change your thinking.

It is my opinion that today, the Jesus is still proclaiming the same message: “Repent, change your thinking because the Kingdom of heaven is here!” It is His desire for us to dismantle the strongholds of limitations and step into the dominion He has provided for His people.

For a more detailed discussion of the limits of tradition, see chapter 2 of Apostolic Authority, Every Believer's Privilege. It can be ordered from Apostolic Missions Inc.

Reinforcing Our Traditions

This weekend was good for me in regards to kingdom connections. In one instance, I came across a new book this weekend on the web, Cardboard Astronaut by Armando Heredia. It is so great to find what you feel are like-minded Kingdom people. In the chapter on Informed Resistance he makes this statement:

"Truth comes in fragments, sometimes truth has thorns, sometimes it is heavy, and it rarely fits into our pre-made little fire ring, but rather than expand our ring we throw down the pieces that don’t fit and wait for the one’s that do, even if they are few and far in between."

you can order it here

This is so true. To me, this is a vivid illustration of how a stronghold of traditional thinking limits us. As God brings to each of us fresh illumination of His word and it's application, because it does not fit our pre-determined criteria, we choose to ignore it. This continues to repeatedly reinforce our strongholds.

How many times have God inspired applications been cast aside, because we cannot quite figure out how to place it in the confines of our structure. I am working on a future Apostolic Notes ezine regarding this and what Jesus said about putting new wine into old wineskin.

The End Product of Traditions

In the previous postings, we have listed some of the major traditions of modern Christianity that can be obstacles to operating in apostolic authority. The end product of these traditions is the creation of strongholds in our minds.

Paul states in 2 Cor 10:4 that the power we have can cast down strongholds. In the next verse, he elaborates on the nature of these strongholds. The Amplified Bibles says: "[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one)" (2 Cor 10:5 emphasis add). Paul is telling us that strongholds are arguments, reasonings, thoughts and purposes that are contrary to the purpose of God.


This is why many in the modern church do not accept the illumination of the word of God. It goes against thier arguments, theories or reasoning. Comments like: "This is the way we have always done it" or "If it was good enough for my granddaddy, it is good enough for me" or even, "This is they way our denomination does it." Are all indications of strongholds. They are reasoning or arguing why they will not accept the illumination of truth.

In regards to church leadership and strongholds: How many times do we attempt to place new illumination of the word, into our standard form or procedures of doing church? We need to be willing to allow the Spirit to discern our thoughts that it can show us what is truly the the word of God in our structure/procedures and what is man-made that can be changed if necessary.

till next time
martin