The stronghold of heaviness
Heaviness is lack of interest, or rather the state of not being lively.
Heaviness is 'keheh' in the Hebrew language. It means being dim, dull, and faint in spiritual matters.
There are four things we should be aware of when it comes to heaviness.
The Four D's
1. Satan's Desire
What the devil really wants for each one of us is in John 10:10 (a)
'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
It should be obvious to every believer that the above are what the devil targets at doing.
2. Satan's Devices
The word of God in 2 Cor 2:11 says that we should not be ignorant of the schemes of the enemy.
In order to be successful in his work, there are strategies he must put in place. If we are aware of them, we will know how to not fall prey.
3. Satan's Door
Do not give the devil a foothold. (Eph 4:27)
Giving the devil a foothold means granting him access and an entry point to get hold of you.
For instance when you are financially incapable of paying your house rent, but can use your body for the same. Falling for this trap is granting the enemy access.
4. Satan's Defeat
Defeat is simply losing a battle.
Esau sold his birthright for a one-time meal. Heb 12:16. The whole thing could not be reversed. Jacob obtained the firstborn rights.
There are believers that have sold their bodies for small favours, therefore losing the battle.
Signs of Heaviness
Heaviness is not in any of God's plan for His children.
On the contrary, Isaiah 61:3 talks of bestowing on those who grieve, a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
In Psalms 42:5, David addresses his heart wondering why it would be downcast. He continues to say that he will put his hope in God. The opposite of the garment of heaviness is the garment of praise.
1. Loss of Appetite
There are people who will be so disturbed about life's issues that they lose their appetite. This means that they will not eat even when they are hungry. Have you lost your appetite for food? It could be a sign that you are bound by heaviness.
2. Loss of Concentration and Focus
This means getting tired in the middle of something. There are believers that make plans on doing something, and even start, but get faint in the middle.
3. Lack of Energy
This is the loss of zeal and the burden for something.
Believers bound by this spirit lose the vigour and the passion for the very things they gave their all to accomplish.
4. Depression
Depression is a mood disorder. It is a form of mental attack. Heaviness causes this mental problem that involves low mood and loss of interests in activities.
5. Despair
Despair is the complete loss of hope. Some people have given up hope because of the challenges they go through in life.
Challenges should strengthen you, not cause despair.
6 . Self Pity
Excessive unhappiness over one's troubles. It is a self-indulgent dwelling on one's sorrows and misfortunes. Self Pity is not right.
7. Loneliness
Loneliness is the feeling of being alone even when you are interacting with others.
Feeling all alone goes to show how deep into heaviness one's soul really is. How can you be lonely when you have the Holy Spirit of God?
8. Addiction
Inability to stop a substance, or engaging in a behavior.
For example, being unable to stop watching pornographic videos and images. You can be addicted to gossiping and anger too.
You need spiritual help if there is something that you have tried to stop, that hinders your relationship with God. This includes things such as gossiping, anger, and sleeping.
9. Suicide (Suicidal thoughts)
Suicide is purely demonic. It is demons that plant these strange ideas in your mind basing it on the hardships you are going through in a certain phase.
10. Spiritual and Physical Fatigue
Fatigue is being too tired to do anything. If you love to postpone and cancel on plans, for no apparent reason, you are bound by the stronghold of heaviness.
Some believers wake up so heavy that it takes them quite a number of minutes before they can get out of bed. This feeling is not Godly.
11. Feeling Discouraged and Defeated
There are trivial things in life meant to be ignored. This is not the case for some people, though.
Some people get too defeated at small things for example, when their calls are not picked.
12. Confusion
Confusion is having no idea what is going on in your life.
Like when you are looking for something that is right there in your hands.
You can be too confused, that you board the wrong bus to somewhere you are travelling to.
13. Battling with the Feelings of Guilt, Condemnation and Shame
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1)
The devil actually likes to use the shame from one's past to afflict pain. You should not be guilty of your past, if at all you have already left that life. Move on.
14. Thinking about going Back to Your Old Lifestyle
There are people that have come quite a long way in the journey of faith.
If you have ever thought of turning back to look at Sodom like Lot's wife, it is a sign of heaviness.
15. Loss of Spiritual Desire
There are people who have lost total desire in seeking God, praying, and exercising all the spiritual things they ought to.
This is as a result of the stronghold of heaviness.
Heaviness is a stronghold widely used by the devil to hinder believers.
The good news is that God has bestowed on us a garment of praise instead of heaviness. Break free now.