“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” – 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
Understanding Evil Altars
We often hear about altars in the Bible, but do we truly understand their significance? An altar, in biblical terms, represents a sacred space for worship or sacrifice. However, when these altars turn evil, they symbolize strongholds of darkness that can have negative influences on our lives. Evil altars often align with idolatry and are places where people make covenants with spirits contrary to God’s plans for us. As believers, it is crucial that we recognize these altars and take the necessary steps to break their hold on our lives, communities, and nations, just as Joshua and other leaders in the Bible did. By identifying and breaking these evil altars, we restore order and invite God’s presence back into our midst.
Exodus 20:3-5
“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.” – Exodus 20:3-5
Deuteronomy 12:29-31
“The Lord your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land, and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods? I will do the same.’ You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates.” – Deuteronomy 12:29-31
1 Kings 18:30-32
“Then Elijah said to all the people, ‘Come here to me.’ They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, ‘Your name shall be Israel.'” – 1 Kings 18:30-32
Isaiah 19:19
“In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the heart of Egypt, and a sacred stone to the Lord at its border.” – Isaiah 19:19
2 Kings 23:24
“Furthermore, Josiah got rid of the practitioners of mediumship, and the necromancers, the household gods, the idols, and all the detestable things seen in the land of Judah and Jerusalem, so that he established the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had discovered in the temple of the Lord.” – 2 Kings 23:24
Identifying Evil Altars
In our spiritual journey, it is vital for us to identify the evil altars that may be present in our lives. These altars can take on many forms, such as unhealthy habits, negative thinking, or relationships that take us away from God’s light. When we recognize these harmful patterns, it gives us the opportunity to confront them with faith and action. Like the prophets of old, we are called to seek discernment and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. With God’s help, we can break away from these strongholds. By committing to prayer and aligning ourselves with God’s truth, we can dismantle the bad influences that seek to dominate our lives.
Psalms 106:34-36
“They did not destroy the peoples as the Lord had commanded them, but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. They served their idols, which became a snare to them.” – Psalms 106:34-36
Jeremiah 11:13
“Your gods are as many as your cities, Judah; and the altars you have set up to shame are as many as the streets of Jerusalem. Do not pray for this people or offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their distress.” – Jeremiah 11:13
Matthew 4:10
“Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'” – Matthew 4:10
1 Corinthians 10:21
“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.” – 1 Corinthians 10:21
2 Timothy 2:19
“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.'” – 2 Timothy 2:19
Breaking the Stronghold
We have the power to break the chains of evil altars in our lives. Recognizing the altars is just the first step; actively dismantling them is where the true work lies. Through prayer, fasting, and seeking God’s wisdom, we can destroy the strongholds that may be tormenting us. The act of breaking these altars requires both courage and the firm belief that God will deliver us. God has equipped us with His Spirit so that we can resist the enemies that set up these altars in our lives, and He promises that we can defeat these practices that lead us away from Him. Armed with God’s word, we stand strong, knowing that His truth sets us free.
Isaiah 10:27
“In that day his burden will be lifted from your shoulders, his yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat.” – Isaiah 10:27
Micah 5:12
“I will cut off sorceries from your hand, and you will have no more fortune-tellers.” – Micah 5:12
Romans 8:31
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31
Ephesians 6:11
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6:11
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
Worship as a Form of Breaking Evil Altars
Worship is one of the most powerful tools we can use to break evil altars. When we engage in true worship, we invite the presence of God into our situations, and He begins to uproot the evil that has taken root in our hearts. Worship transforms our environment, and as we exalt the name of the Lord, we dismantle the very structures that keep us bound. We can look to the examples of David and many other worshippers in the Bible who utilized songs, prayers, and praise to bring down strongholds. Together, as a family in Christ, we can lift our voices and worship, declaring that no evil altar can stand against the power of God.
2 Chronicles 20:22
“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” – 2 Chronicles 20:22
Psalms 149:6
“May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands.” – Psalms 149:6
Acts 16:25
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” – Acts 16:25
Hebrews 13:15
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” – Hebrews 13:15
Revelation 5:9-10
“And they sung a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.'” – Revelation 5:9-10
Testimonies of Breaking Evil Altars
Sharing our testimonies is a powerful way to inspire others around us to dismantle their own evil altars. As we recount the moments when we felt God moving in our lives, we spark hope and faith within our communities. Each of us has a unique story of struggle, redemption, and restoration. By lifting each other up and sharing how God helped us break free from sin, we create an environment where brokenness is transformed into grace. Together, we can encourage one another to stay vigilant against evil, giving glory to God for His endless love and mercy.
Revelation 12:11
“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” – Revelation 12:11
Psalms 107:2
“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.” – Psalms 107:2
Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
2 Corinthians 1:4
“Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble.” – 2 Corinthians 1:4
Restoration After Breaking Evil Altars
After we successfully break the strongholds of evil altars, we enter a crucial phase of restoration. God desires to rebuild what has been corrupted and to bring healing to our lives. We can look to the promise in Jeremiah 29:11, where God states that He has plans for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us. As we engage in this process, let us seek God’s face and invite His healing power into our lives. By staying in close communion with Him, we foster an environment for restoration after breaking these evil altars. We must also join together as a community, encouraging each other on this path of renewal.
Isaiah 61:3
“And provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” – Isaiah 61:3
Jeremiah 30:17
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.'” – Jeremiah 30:17
Joel 2:25
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you.” – Joel 2:25
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Final Thoughts
Breaking evil altars is not just about tearing down what is negative in our lives, but it’s also about rebuilding and restoring our relationship with God. We learned that evil altars represent significant obstacles that can influence us, but our faith can dismantle these strongholds. We have verses that guide us in identifying and breaking these chains, pointing us toward freedom and restoration. Worship can play a powerful role, inviting God’s presence into our personal battles. Our testimonies can inspire others, and ultimately, restoration will occur as we turn away from evil and towards the light of Christ. Let us encourage one another in this battle, knowing that God is with us on this path of renewal.
If you are interested in further exploring scripture, I invite you to read about justice for the oppressed and justice and righteousness.