Moving in the Apostolic

Warfare

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things: They keep people from the knowledge of God, and they prevent people from obeying the truth. Ignorance and rebellion are the result. The term mind-set depicts a combination of both mind and set. In other words, the mind is already settled on a set of beliefs, and therefore resistant to change. This means it is fixed and rigid. Most people who claim to be open-minded really are not. Their minds are closed and hardened to truth and revelation. Mind-sets are the thought processes of people groups who have developed a way of thinking over centuries of time. It is a combination of their experiences and what they have been taught by their ancestors. Mind-sets are not easy to change. It takes a strong anointing to break through the defensive barriers in their minds and overcome the pride associated with their way of thinking. People are proud of the way they think, even though it may be wrong. No one wants to admit they are wrong, particularly when their ancestors have thought a certain way for sometimes thousands of years. Humility must precede repentance, and pride will put up a fight. These strongholds are so strong that they are likened to forts. A fort is a citadel, a garrison, a castle, a tower, a safeguard. We have all heard the saying, "Hold the fort!" It means to defend and maintain the status quo. People would rather maintain their present way of thinking than to change. They will defend the current way of thinking through argument and debate. They will contradict and even blaspheme if necessary. Communism is a mind-set; it is an ideology and philosophy of life. Materialism is a mind-set that bases happiness on success. Islam is a mind-set. Hinduism is a mind-set. These philosophies control the minds of countless people. They are powerful strongholds that can only be overcome through apostolic preaching and teaching. Strongholds are major hindrances to the advancement of the Church and must be dealt with apostolically. The preaching, teaching and overall ministry of apostolic people are weapons that are mighty through God for the pulling down of these

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