Pulling Down Strongholds

By Apostle Blake L. Higginbotham

The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way, never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 The Message Bible

Before taking on this subject, I challenged myself by asking several difficult questions. One thing that I asked myself is, what are we really supposed to be doing with the tools with which Yahweh has empowered us? Another part of that same question is what am I going to do with the discovery of truth concerning the answer to that question? It is with that in mind that I am going to address what I believe to be one of the warped philosophies that must be smashed. The warped philosophy to which I am referring is the concept of the sovereignty of the local church apart from the corporate work.

There is absolutely nothing in the scripture that teaches that the local church is a sovereign entity governed by one man and his hired associates. The Scripture does not teach that the “church” is separated from or different than the rest of the body of Messiah, or the house that Yahshua is building. In my estimation one of the reasons that we are still embracing the idea that the local church is the sum expression of all that Yahweh is doing in the earth is because of our limited view of the big picture. Now before you hang up on me or send this article to the recycle bend, take a minute to read and comprehend where I am going with this thought. Most of the people that I know are either in denial or they have just come to the conclusion that nothing can really be done about the religious rote in which they find themselves. They have come to believe that attending a gathering several times a week, or belonging to a local assembly equals fulfilling the plan and purpose of Yahweh for their lives.

Many of them have been preached into an apathetic slumber or lethargy and have come to believe that the small isolated group of people with whom they meet on a weekly basis is actually making a lasting difference in the world. Again before you check out on me, remember it has been said that over 80% of the local congregations meeting in America are fewer than 100 people. The other day I read that about 2% of those who are called to some area of ministry are actually serving in a paid capacity in the local “church “ where they attend. Unfortunately, that leaves 98% percent of the people, who are also called to some area of ministry, the limited opportunity to volunteer their time and effort in a part time capacity. While a lot can be said about the volunteer sweat equity of millions of precious people down through the centuries, I think that it is past time for us to upgrade our understanding and to abort our obsolete and unsuccessful practices.

If for a moment you will associate and compare what I am saying about the limited view of most local churches with the business understanding of most successful entrepreneurs, you too will have to conclude that the “church” as a ministry endeavor or as a enterprise has been one of the most unsuccessful ventures with which you have been a part. But for whatever reason we never consider any new approaches or ideas that would broaden our reach. We just continue to grit our teeth and bit the bullet, so to speak, as our attendance records go up and down and our finances fluctuate with whatever the economy is at the time. In my estimation, the “church “, has been one of the most unsuccessful enterprises functioning in the earth, for a very long time. Now do not get offended by the thought that you might be a part of something that is not working very well; but if you can hear it, it is time to examine your own heart and ask yourself some difficult questions.

The time has come for reform. The first change that must take place is that all of the paralyzing paradigms by which we have lived our lives must be challenged with new and fresh ideas from the heart of the Father. It is past time us to get a new view of the house that Yahshua is building. It is time for us to break out of the old mindset that our individual contribution and the local expression of the body of Messiah is all that is important. The house that Yahshua is building is a lot bigger than most of us can fathom.



If we are going live long enough to fulfill the plan and purpose of Yahweh in this lifetime, we are going to have to open our hearts to people today with whom just yesterday we might have considered to be out of our reach and sphere of influence.

Yahweh is moving in an unprecedented way in the streets and marketplace in this hour. Millions of people worldwide are being spiritually awakened to their spiritual desperation. This is the third day and multitudes of people from all walks of life are beginning to emerge and come forth into the light. If you can hear it, there are people with whom you are supposed to be joined who have never attended a “church” or read a bible in their life. They are looking for you and searching for answers to life’s questions as I speak.

The real question is, will you rise up where you are in the protected confines of the local “church” and begin to go out, being sent into the land of your own world? Will you seek those who will be found, or will you wait until it is too late for the people of your world? If you hesitate, the darkness of this hour will snuff out the light by which multitudes might find their way into Yahshua the Messiah and live? I know that it has been said, that the smallest light can drive back darkness; but I tell you this if you hide under the bed; the light of your life in Messiah will not be seen.

2 Corinthians 6:2b-10 Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7by the word of truth, by the power of Yahweh, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
By Apostle Blake Higginbotham