What is a biblical example of pulling down strongholds through spiritual warfare?
Paul’s ministry in Ephesus is a biblical example. The city was dominated by the worship of Diana, but his spiritual warfare so impacted the idol makers and silversmiths that their work was being destroyed, eventually causing a riot. Thus one man, through God’s mighty weapons, pulled down a stronghold in a whole city.
Les explains that Paul’s war was not after the flesh but in the spiritual realm, because the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Paul did this as he moved into pagan cities. Ephesus was completely taken over by the worship of Diana, yet Paul made such an impact that it was destroying the work of the idol makers and silversmiths, until they caused a riot. One man did that to a complete city, and that was an example of pulling down strongholds. This also involves casting down imaginations and everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Les notes our largest problem is in the thought processes, where we fight most of our battles and temptations.
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)