Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the term "demolish" often refers to the act of tearing down or destroying structures, idols, or strongholds that stand in opposition to God's will and purposes. This concept is both literal and metaphorical, appearing throughout Scripture as a call to remove obstacles to true worship and obedience to God.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the Israelites were frequently commanded to demolish the altars and idols of pagan nations. This was a crucial part of maintaining the purity of worship and devotion to Yahweh. For instance, in Deuteronomy 12:3, God instructs the Israelites: "Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, burn up their Asherah poles, and cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from those places." This command underscores the importance of eradicating any form of idolatry that could lead the people away from God. The act of demolishing pagan altars and idols was not merely about physical destruction but also symbolized the rejection of false gods and the reaffirmation of the covenant relationship with the one true God. It was a call to spiritual renewal and a return to faithfulness. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the concept of demolishing takes on a more spiritual dimension. The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of demolishing strongholds to describe the spiritual battle against false teachings and ideologies that oppose the knowledge of God. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 , Paul writes, "The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." Here, the focus is on the power of the gospel and the truth of God's Word to dismantle erroneous beliefs and bring every thought into alignment with Christ's teachings. This spiritual demolition is essential for the believer's growth and sanctification, as it involves rejecting worldly philosophies and embracing the truth of Scripture. Theological Implications The act of demolishing, whether physical or spiritual, is deeply connected to the theme of holiness and the call to separate from sin and idolatry. It reflects God's desire for His people to be set apart, devoted to Him alone. The destruction of idols and false ideologies serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in maintaining the purity of faith and the integrity of worship. Moreover, the concept of demolishing strongholds highlights the transformative power of the gospel. It emphasizes that through Christ, believers have the authority and power to overcome spiritual barriers and live in the freedom and truth of God's Word. Practical Application For contemporary believers, the call to demolish can be understood as an invitation to examine one's life for any idols or strongholds that hinder a relationship with God. This may involve identifying and removing anything that takes precedence over God, whether it be material possessions, relationships, or ideologies contrary to biblical truth. In a broader sense, the church is called to stand against cultural and societal structures that oppose God's kingdom, using the truth of Scripture to challenge and transform the world. This involves a commitment to living out the gospel in every area of life, ensuring that Christ is honored and glorified above all else. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (v. t.) To pull down; to raze; to destroy the fabric of; to pull to pieces; to ruin; as, to demolish an edifice, or a wall.Greek 2679. kataskapto -- to dig down ... to dig down. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kataskapto Phonetic Spelling: (kat-as-kap'-to) Short Definition: I dig down under, demolish Definition: I dig ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2679.htm - 6k 2507. kathaireo -- to take down, pull down 2647. kataluo -- to destroy, overthrow Strong's Hebrew 7567. rashash -- to beat down, shatter... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to beat down, shatter NASB Word Usage beaten down (1), demolish (1). ... A primitive root; to demolish -- impoverish. ... /hebrew/7567.htm - 5k 6168. arah -- to be naked or bare 6209. arar -- to strip oneself 3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished ... 5422. nathats -- to pull down, break down 8045. shamad -- to be exterminated or destroyed 2718. charab -- to be a waste 5642. cthar -- to hide Library How Titus Gave Orders to Demolish the Tower of Antonia and Then ... The Pelagians Demolish Free Will. The Judges Said: Tell Us, O Manes, who Designated the Boundaries ... The Existence of Moral Evil, or Sin, Reconciled with the Holiness ... Preface. The Curse Removed Introduction the Manner of this Oversight Book v. Our Reply, in the Previous Books, to the Mad and ... Of Silent Acquiescence in Heathen Formularies. Thesaurus Demolish (16 Occurrences)... (vt) To pull down; to raze; to destroy the fabric of; to pull to pieces; to ruin; as, to demolish an edifice, or a wall. ...Demolish (16 Occurrences). ... /d/demolish.htm - 11k Demolished (15 Occurrences) Overthrow (48 Occurrences) Figured (4 Occurrences) Rebuild (36 Occurrences) Raze (1 Occurrence) Demmesek (1 Occurrence) Molten (41 Occurrences) Practices (80 Occurrences) Pillars (132 Occurrences) Resources Spiritual strongholds - what is the biblical view? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the weapons of righteousness in 2 Corinthians 6:7? | GotQuestions.org Do Christians have the authority to rebuke the devil? | GotQuestions.org Demolish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Demolish (16 Occurrences)John 2:19 2 Corinthians 10:4 Exodus 23:24 Exodus 34:13 Numbers 33:52 Isaiah 23:11 Jeremiah 5:17 Jeremiah 43:13 Ezekiel 16:39 Ezekiel 26:9 Ezekiel 26:12 Hosea 10:2 Hosea 11:6 Micah 5:10 Micah 5:14 Malachi 1:4 Subtopics Related Terms |