There is an enemy lurking about – an unseen presence – who at this moment is devising a plan of attack against you to turn you against God and to keep you separated from Jesus. This enemy hates Jesus. He hates that you are here this morning. His name is Satan. We call him the devil. But… he is no match for Jesus. Luke 11:21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Today were going to look at the most common way that we encounter Satan and his minions in life. 90% of the attack of the enemy upon your life is going to happen in 2 places; in your head and in your heart. It’s going to take place in what you’re thinking about and in your emotions. Let’s examine 3 Scriptures this morning. And in the Scriptures we are going to see the enemy’s most common attack upon your life. And his most common attack is going to involve three words in these Scriptures; - Roots - Footholds - Strongholds First, Satan wants to put a bitter root in your heart and he wants you to grow it. Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled… Look at the word “root of bitterness.” This root is so common that we almost face it every day of our lives. Satan loves to deal in roots. What is he talking about? The root is an event in your life. The purpose of this root is to get you to doubt the goodness in the greatness and the character of God. The purpose of this root is the poison you and to take over. Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled… Why does it spring up? Because we give it ground. This becomes his entry point into your life. Ephesians 4:26 (NIV) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled… 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. A stronghold is a place where the enemy and an enemy thought is so deeply embedded in your life that you protect it You know what challenges and renews our thought life? Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled… Defilement. Polluted. Stained. Contaminated. It has changed our color. How do I know if I have a root? 1. Because the enemy is telling you that you have a special exemption from following Jesus fully because “no one understands what you’ve been through.” 2. Because the enemy is telling you that life is better outside of God. 3. Because the enemy is screaming at you, “you’re not enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough, not the right family, not the right background and not the right ability.” 4. Because all of your relationships have broken down at some point. 5. Because there are some things you don’t want anyone else to know about or there are some things that have happened to you that you want everyone to know about. If the most commonplace that we meet the enemy is in our head and in our heart than what we do? How do we win? 1. Confession. Calling it out. 2. Repentance. Turning away from it. 3. Attack. Take those thoughts captive. 4. Guard the gates! Be careful about what you are allowing in! 5. Get help. We are not meant to do this alone. Find some prayer partners.