SO WHAT'S THE SNARE?

Footholds versus Strongholds?  Are they the same?  Why or why not?

All these years, and I had never thought about that question?  How does our enemy Satan send distractions, influences, footholds, strongholds our way?  How can we know the difference?

I will be teaching a class  this fall at County Line on The Full Armor of God!  And, out of the blue today I see something - a fine line I had not seen before.  You could say,  "which comes first the chicken or the egg?"

Joyce Meyer pointed out this morning in one of her devotionals that Satan likes introducing footholds to us in order to turn them into strongholds.  They were one and the same to me before that.

Eph. 4: 27 . . .and do not give the devil a foothold!   Bingo.  Sure.  In Corinthians we learn about how to take CAPTIVE every thought so it does not turn into a sin.  Psalms 25: 15.  Mine eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He releases my foot from the snare.  Light bulb moment! 

Okay, okay, so you already knew that.  Good for you.  I understand all about taking captive every thought.  We don't always do that very well.  An attitude about someone can enter in.  A new perspective can float by and you grab it.  Did you check it out.  Did you ask God about that attitude, idea, or temptation?  There is the snag.  Cause if you didn't, it turns into a Foothold.  Satan celebrates and whamo bammo it is a stronghold a waiting.  The first time a person turns into the porno site just to see what it is all about.  Thought/looksee + Foothold = Stronghold!

Good Stuff.  Make a commitment to EVALUATE every thought.  It is God's Word and commandment, II Corinthians 10: 5.    The mind is a very unloyal part of our mind and body, folks.
Tame it - Test it - Repent - Move on.  Think - Test it - Keep it - Foothold.  Think it - Test it - (I John 4: 1) Throw it out if its bad and Move On.   No Footholds - No Strongholds.    Takes too much time you say.  Tough!  I guarantee peace of mind 99% of the time if you just take this serious.  God is awesome - Its a gorgeous day today - Live to the fullest - Live in Peace of mind no matter what is going on around you.  Test it!