Dealing with the strongman in your life

        In spiritual warfare, one key concept often mentioned is the "strongman." This term may sound intense, but it is deeply rooted in Scripture. Jesus referred to the strongman in His teaching, and understanding how to deal with this spiritual force is vital for any believer seeking freedom, victory, and divine authority.

What is a Strongman in the Bible?

        A “strongman” is a dominant evil spirit that exerts control over a person, family, community, or even a nation. It is not just a demonic influence, but a ruling entity—a gatekeeper spirit that oversees and empowers a particular bondage or system of evil.

    “Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.” Matthew 12:29 (NKJV)

        This verse reveals a key spiritual principle: before freedom, the strongman must be bound. In spiritual terms, unless you confront and overpower the strongman, you may continue to experience defeat in key areas of life.

Identifying the Strongman in Your Life

        Strongmen operate differently depending on the situation. Here are a few common areas where strongmen operate:

1. Addiction – Alcoholism, pornography, gambling, or drugs may be ruled by a spirit of bondage (Romans 8:15).

2. Fear – Ongoing anxiety or fear may signal the presence of a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).

3. Poverty – Cycles of lack and failure can point to a strongman of poverty and limitation (Proverbs 6:10-11).

4. Anger and Violence – Uncontrolled rage may indicate a strongman of destruction (Proverbs 16:32).

5. Lust and Immorality -- (Ephesians 5:3-5).

6. Occult Involvement – Generational witchcraft or divination can open the door to a strong man of sorcery (Acts 8:9-11).

7. Religious Bondage – Legalism and false doctrine may be guarded by a religious spirit (Matthew 23:13).

Generational Strongmen

        Some strongmen are inherited through bloodlines—generational curses that affect families for decades. For example, a spirit of anger, addiction, or divorce may run through a family tree.

    “Our fathers sinned and are no more, but we bear their iniquities.” Lamentations 5:7 (ESV)

Jesus Came to Disarm the Strongman

         The good news is that Jesus came specifically to destroy the power of the strongman.

    “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 (NIV)

         Through His death and resurrection, Jesus stripped Satan of his authority. Now, every believer is empowered to confront and bind the strongman through the name of Jesus, the Word of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Steps to Dealing with the Strongman

1. Discern the Strongman

         You cannot defeat what you do not identify. Pray for spiritual discernment to recognize what spirit is operating behind the situation.

    “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:14 (NIV)

Ask:

● What area of my life repeatedly defeats me?

● Are there patterns in my family?

● What fruit is being produced—fear, bondage, confusion?

2. Repent and Renounce

         Repent of any known sin that gave the strongman legal access. Then renounce its presence and influence.

    “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV)

        Repentance closes the door the strongman used to gain entry.

3. Bind the Strongman

         Binding is a spiritual act that restricts the strongman’s power. You can do this through the authority of Jesus Christ.

    “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven...”  Matthew 16:19 (NIV)

Declare in faith:

     “In the name of Jesus, I bind the strongman of [name it—fear, lust, addiction, etc.]. You no longer have power over my life.”

4. Cast It Out

         Deliverance often follows binding. Jesus regularly cast out demons, and He gave believers the same authority.

     “In My name, they will drive out demons...” Mark 16:17 (NIV)

         Use the name of Jesus boldly. This is not emotional hype; it’s exercising covenant authority.

5. Fill the House

         Once the strongman is gone, you must fill your spiritual house with God’s Word, worship, and the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, the spirit may return.

     “Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself... and the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” Matthew 12:45 (NIV)

        Spend time in prayer, study the Bible, fast regularly, and join a fellowship of believers.

Examples from Scripture

1. Legion (Mark 5:1–20)

        This man had many demons, but Jesus dealt with the strongman—likely a spirit of death and destruction. Once Jesus cast the demons out, the man was restored and became an evangelist.

2. The Boy with a Mute Spirit (Mark 9:17–27)

        A boy was possessed by a spirit that caused convulsions and muteness. Jesus first rebuked unbelief and then dealt with the spirit directly. Deliverance followed.

3. Paul and the Spirit of Divination (Acts 16:16–18)

        A slave girl had a spirit of divination, a strongman operating through fortune-telling. Paul cast it out, disrupting the spiritual power that controlled her.

Weapons to Defeat the Strongman

1. The Name of Jesus – The highest authority (Philippians 2:9-11)

2. The Word of God – Your sword (Ephesians 6:17)

3. The Blood of Jesus – Covers and protects (Revelation 12:11)

4. Fasting and Prayer – Breaks strongholds (Mark 9:29)

5. Praise and Worship – Confuses the enemy (2 Chronicles 20:22)

6. Faith – Your shield against attacks (Ephesians 6:16)

Prayer to Deal with the Strongman

    Heavenly Father,

I come before You in the name of Jesus. I thank You for the authority I have in Christ. Lord, I ask You to reveal any strongman that is operating in my life, my family, or my home. I repent of all known and unknown sins that have given the enemy access. I plead the blood of Jesus over my life.

Now, in the name of Jesus Christ, I bind every strongman of [name the area: fear, addiction, lust, etc.]. I command you to lose your hold over my mind, body, family, and destiny. I cast you out by the power in the name of Jesus. You have no authority here.

Holy Spirit, fill every empty place. Teach me, lead me, and empower me to walk in freedom. I declare I am delivered, I am redeemed, and I am victorious in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

        The strongman is real, but he is not stronger than Jesus. You were not meant to live under spiritual oppression but to walk in victory and liberty. Through the power of Jesus Christ, every stronghold can be broken, every yoke can be destroyed, and every demonic force can be cast out.

        Don’t tolerate what Jesus died to set you free from. Stand in your authority, bind the strongman, and possess your spiritual inheritance.

     “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”  John 8:36 (NIV)