Free from the Stronghold of Defensiveness

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

http://strongholdsmashers.com/bible/free-stronghold-defensiveness/

A person with a defensive spirit is excessively concerned with guarding against the real or imagined threat of criticism, injury to one’s ego, or exposure of one’s shortcomings. The host puts up walls and may see an offense where none is intended.

English: Defensive Wall, Nuremberg (Germany), north part, burggarten bastion from west (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Defensive Wall, Nuremberg (Germany),

This host is always on guard, always ready to battle anyone or anything that does not line up with its perception of self or events, or its own thinking. If this attitude becomes a stronghold, the host may invite spirits of paranoia, perfectionism, religion, animosity, and even abuse. The new strongholds may invite others and so on until the condition of the host is worsened.

Confusion will set in and an inability to discern right from wrong may cause the very condition the host of a defensive spirit is guarding against. There is only one way to demolish this demonic stronghold and live a life of peace, discerning right from wrong, good from evil, and the truth of trueness of life that comes from submission to God.

Defensiveness may seep into our lives as the result of a catastrophe against us or someone we love. This circumstance may be perceived as a catastrophe only to us, but our resultant reaction may cause trauma to others. Before we allow a spirit of defensiveness to set in, we must clear our minds of any preconceived notions about the intended threat or criticism.

Żary’s defensive wall

5 Biblical tips to overcome defensiveness:

1. Submit to God and allow him to guide your actions and reactions. Let him take care of anything that could cause defensiveness.

Isaiah 54:17 But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.

2. Do your research well. Don’t listen to, or participate in, gossip. Keep your mind on God.

Leviticus 19:16 Never gossip. Never endanger your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.

Proverbs 28:26 He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a [self-confident] fool, but he who walks in skillful and godly Wisdom shall be delivered.

3. Forgive. This is one of the hardest actions we will take, but it must be undertaken.

Matthew 6:15 But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failures.

4. Do not jump to conclusions. Check everything out with the Word of God. Remember, a spirit of defensiveness can confuse us, so it’s best to get godly input before you act on anything that is causing you to have suspicion.

1 Timothy 6:3-4 Whoever teaches false doctrine and doesn’t agree with the accurate words of our Lord Jesus Christ and godly teachings ⁴ is a conceited person. He shows that he doesn’t understand anything. Rather, he has an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words. This produces jealousy, rivalry, cursing, suspicion,

5. Wait. After you have gathered all the information, prayed, submitted to God, and have forgiven, then wait for God’s guidance in any matter causing defensiveness because he is waiting for you to get right with him.

Psalm 62:5 Wait calmly for God alone, my soul, because my hope comes from him.

Isaiah 30:18 The Lord is waiting to be kind to you. He rises to have compassion on you. The Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him or for the right time, or occasion.