Locking Elbows, Lifting Truth, Changing Strongholds

Some wounds run so deep they shape not only how we feel, but how we think, decide, respond under pressure, and relate to God, others, and ourselves.

In Scripture, these entrenched patterns are called strongholds—fortified places in the mind and spirit that are either divine (from God) or demonic (from the enemy). In science, we’d call them positive or negative strongholds:

• Positive strongholds (divine) foster strength, resilience, and indwelling of Truth that brings peace.

• Negative strongholds (demonic) trap us in fear, confusion, shame, and pride.
  

Freedom in Christ is about leaving the enemy’s prison and dwelling in God’s fortress. That shift doesn’t happen by willpower alone—it happens when we lock elbows with Jesus and lock elbows with His people.

"He is my loving ally and my fortress (stronghold), my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him.", Psalm 144:2

Locking Elbows with Jesus

Locking elbows with Jesus means coming into agreement with His Word by choosing to believe it, even when our thoughts and emotions resist. It’s more than a moment of mental assent—it’s a daily, intentional alignment with God’s Truth over and against the enemy’s lies.

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11), after forty days of fasting, the devil confronted Him with lies and distortions of Scripture. Three times, Satan tried to lure Him into disobedience—turning stones to bread, testing God’s protection, and offering the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. Each time, Jesus responded not with human reasoning or emotion, but by speaking God’s Word aloud: “It is written…” He modeled exactly how to wage thought-level warfare—identifying the lie, rejecting it, and replacing it with the Truth of Scripture.

From a scientific standpoint, this mirrors cognitive reframing—replacing distorted thoughts with accurate, life-giving truth—a process central to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which has been shown to produce measurable neural changes that support lasting transformation (Domínguez-Pérez et al., 2025).

Here are some examples of how you and I might take control of our thoughts to align them and our emotions with God's Truth:

• I feel afraid, but I know that it is not from You, because You say that You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

• I believe I am unworthy, but I know that this is a lie, because You say there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

• I believe I’m not enough, but I know that is a lie because You say that I am Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. (Ephesians 2:10)

• I feel anxious, and while I have not yet mastered my anxiety, I thank You that I can still choose to bring my requests to You with thanksgiving, trusting that You are growing and maturing me, and that Your peace will guard my heart and mind. (Philippians 4:6–7)

• I believe I am defined by my past mistakes, but I know this is a lie because You tell me that if I confess my sins, You are faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

• I believe I am defined by my shortcomings, but I know this is a lie because You tell me that I am your work and that your works are wonderful (Psalm 139:14)
  

Locking elbows with Jesus empowers us to demolish strongholds—escaping the enemy’s prison and taking refuge in God’s fortresses.

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." , 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

Locking Elbows with His People

We were never meant to fight our battles in isolation. God designed His people to stand together, not scattered and alone. One Christian leader describes spiritual warfare as believers locking elbows—circling up, heads bowed, contending side by side. That image matters, because when we are too weary or discouraged to persevere, we need our brothers and sisters in Christ to:

• Speak Truth when lies press in

• Encourage us when we want to give up

• Offer a timely word in season

• Pray and intercede when our own strength is gone
  

Science affirms what Scripture has declared for centuries: community heals. Social support and emotional connection help regulate stress and foster resilience (Ratliff et al., 2022). In fact, neuroscience shows that through processes like co-regulation—when one person’s calm presence helps regulate another’s emotional state—relationships can foster real biological change (Hu et al., 2022).

Here are some ways we might lock elbows with one another in everyday Christian community:

• Sitting with a friend in silence after they’ve received hard news, letting them know they’re not alone.

• Bringing a meal to someone who is overwhelmed by grief, illness, or a new season of caregiving.

• Checking in regularly with a brother or sister who has been walking through a long trial, reminding them they’re seen and cared for.

• Offering childcare so parents can rest, regroup, or have time together without distraction.

• Listening without judgment as someone processes their struggles, and following up later to see how they’re doing.

• Celebrating small victories in someone’s recovery, faith journey, or personal growth, reinforcing that their progress matters.

• Being a safe place for others to disclose hard things. A place they can find unconditional positive regard and confidentiality.
  

"Two people are better off than one… A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer… Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.", Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (NIV)

Demolishing the Enemy’s Strongholds

Negative strongholds don’t just live in our minds—they are woven into our neural pathways, coping strategies, and even our body’s automatic responses. Trauma, repeated lies, and habitual sin can create entrenched patterns that feel impossible to change. But both Scripture and science point to the same Truth: transformation is possible.

God gives us spiritual weapons—prayer, Scripture, worship, obedience—and also practical tools—Christian counseling, trauma-informed therapy, grounding exercises, and safe community.

Some Christians hesitate to use the tools of science, concerned that doing so might show a lack of faith or conflict with trusting God. But the reality is that all Truth comes from Him, and He often works through the gifts, skills, and knowledge He has given to people. The key is discernment. It is wise to use the tools of science—such as Christian counseling, trauma-informed care, or evidence-based practices—when they are filtered through the Truth of God’s Word and found to be aligned with it.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.", Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)

When spiritual weapons and practical tools are used together, God works through them to dismantle lies, heal wounds, and rebuild our lives on His Truth.

Here are some ways we might demolish strongholds in everyday life:

• Meeting with a Christian counselor to work through patterns of anxiety

• Memorizing and praying through Scriptures that resonates with us in our struggle.

• Asking a trusted friend to hold you accountable for a habit you’re trying to break, while also replacing that habit with a healthier, God-honoring practice.

• Journaling about recurring negative thoughts, then bringing them before God in prayer and replacing each one with Truth from His Word.

• Practicing deep breathing or another calming exercise when you feel panic rising to help bring your mind and body into a calmer state.

• Participating in a support group where you can share your struggles, receive encouragement, and pray together.

• Choosing worship music during a moment of discouragement to shift your focus from the problem to God’s presence

• Taking a short walk outdoors to clear your mind and focusing on nature as God's creation as you walk.

A Final Word

If you’re circling the same struggles and wondering why healing feels slow—don’t give up.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.", Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Grip Jesus’ arm and keep gripping it. Come into agreement with His Word and keep agreeing with it. Link arms with your brothers and sisters in Christ and keep linking them. Speak Truth out loud and keep speaking it.

Stand firm until the prison walls fall—and stay in the safety of God's fortress, believing that His promises are yours regardless of what your negative thoughts and feelings tell you. Remember, the Enemy is a liar and the father of all lies (John 8:44) and when you believe lies, you give him a foothold in your life.

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.", 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

The Lagniappe

Chain Breaker by Zach Williams, Live from Harding Prison

There Is Power by Lincoln Brewster

References

Andrikos, G. P., Smith, C. A., & Ciccarelli, M. (2024). Supporting co-regulation and development of self-regulation skills in students with intellectual disabilities: A scoping review. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research. https://doi.org/10.16993/sjdr.1091

Domínguez-Pérez, J., Peñate-Castro, W., & Rivero-Pérez, F. L. (2025). Neural mechanisms of cognitive behavioral therapy efficacy in anxiety disorders: A scoping review of fMRI-based studies that tested the dual model. Life, 15(3), 493. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030493

Hu, Y., Gvirts, H. Z., & Perlmutter, S. (2022). Inter-brain plasticity as a biological mechanism of change. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 16, 955238. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2022.955238

Ratliff, E. L., Kerr, K. L., Cosgrove, K. T., Simmons, W. K., & Morris, A. S. (2022). The role of neurobiological bases of dyadic emotion regulation in the development of psychopathology: Cross-brain associations between parents and children. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 25(3), 457–475. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-022-00430-3