How can we identify and dismantle modern "altars" that oppose God today? Gideon’s Night Mission—The Starting Point “That night the LORD said to him, ‘Take your father’s young bull, the second bull of seven years old, and tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. Then build a proper altar to the LORD your God…’ ” (Judges 6:25–26) Gideon literally toppled a pagan altar and erected a new one devoted to the LORD. His obedience gives a clear, practical pattern for us. What a Modern “Altar” Looks Like Any place, habit, or loyalty that draws the heart’s worship away from God functions as an altar. Today they often wear subtler disguises: • Career status that defines identity • Material accumulation or consumerism • Sexual freedom unanchored from Scripture • Entertainment streams that monopolize time and affections • Political or social ideologies that eclipse kingdom priorities • Self-image, fitness, or health obsessions • Family members or relationships idolized above the LORD • Religious traditions elevated over clear biblical truth “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21) Diagnostic Signs an Altar Is Active • Obedience or resources consistently flow there first (Exodus 20:3) • Emotional highs or lows hinge on its success or failure • Schedules bend around it, pushing prayer and Scripture to the margins • Conviction surfaces when Scripture confronts it, yet excuses quickly follow • Its criticism feels personal, as though someone attacked “me,” not merely an interest Gideon’s Blueprint for Dismantling 1. Hear God’s directive • Gideon acted “that night.” Immediate obedience closes the door on second-guessing. 2. Use what God provides • The “second bull” was already in the family herd; God often equips from within current resources (2 Peter 1:3). 3. Tear down completely • No partial demolition—cut down the Asherah pole too. Sin altars must be dismantled, not managed (Romans 13:14). 4. Build a proper altar to the LORD • Replace, don’t just remove. Fill the cleared space with worship, Scripture, service, and fellowship (Romans 12:1). 5. Offer a costly sacrifice • Gideon gave a seven-year-old bull; true repentance includes tangible surrender—time, money, habits, relationships. 6. Expect opposition yet stand firm • Gideon faced townspeople’s outrage (Judges 6:28–30). Spiritual strongholds rarely collapse quietly (2 Timothy 3:12). 7. Watch God affirm the step • “Let Baal contend for himself” (Judges 6:31). The LORD vindicates those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30b). Tools God Supplies for the Battle • The Word: “For the weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4) • The Spirit: Provides conviction, courage, and discernment (John 16:8, 13). • The Church: Accountability and encouragement (Hebrews 10:24–25). • Prayer and Fasting: Focused dependence that softens hard ground (Matthew 17:21). Constructing the New Altar Daily • Morning surrender—start each day declaring His lordship (Psalm 5:3). • Scripture saturation—input determines affection; read, meditate, obey (Psalm 119:11). • Regular remembrance—share testimonies of His faithfulness (Revelation 12:11). • Generous stewardship—redirect former idol budgets toward kingdom work (2 Corinthians 9:7). • Service to others—love replaces self-centered altars (Galatians 5:13). Living in the Freedom of a Cleared Field When Gideon’s altar to Baal lay in rubble, God advanced him to greater victories. The same sequence unfolds today: destroy counterfeit altars, exalt Christ, and watch Him bring deliverance and influence beyond what seemed possible. |
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