Idols, Images, and Altars
- southbutlerag
- Feb 9
- 8 min read
Updated: Feb 12
Loving God with All Your Heart: A Call to Purity and Devotion
Table of Contents
In Matthew 22, Jesus teaches us about the first and greatest commandment: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matthew 22:37). This is the foundation of our Christian walk, and it’s something I remind myself of every single day.
As I grow in my relationship with God, I realize that my actions should never be driven by a desire for titles, positions, or accolades. My purpose, first and foremost, is to love God. And as I focus on loving Him more deeply, He opens doors for me to speak to more people, share His word, and live according to His calling.
However, this growth comes with challenges. One significant challenge we face is the temptation to mix with the surrounding world. We may find ourselves caught up in the ways of those around us, especially as we move into new spaces, new communities, and new opportunities. This is why it’s crucial to remember the first commandment: to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to stay committed to Him, regardless of the temptations we encounter.
Idols, Images, and Altars: A Warning Against Compromise
As we delve deeper into our relationship with God, we must address three critical areas: idols, images, and altars. These are the places where we are most vulnerable to distractions and compromise.
Idols: Anything That Takes God’s Place
In Exodus 34, we read about the dangers of idols. An idol is anything that takes the place of God in our hearts.
In Exodus 20:4-5, God commands: "You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or on the earth below." An idol can be anything that we elevate to a place of worship—whether it’s money, possessions, fame, or even people.
Israel often struggled with this, mixing with surrounding nations who worshiped idols. They were easily swayed by the practices of those around them. The same happens to us today.
We live in a world where anything can become an idol if we let it. For example, we might prioritize things like sports over God, choosing a Super Bowl party over church. Our cars, our phones, even our jobs can become idols if we allow them to take up too much of our time, energy, and focus.
The apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 6:10 warns that "the love of money is the root of all evil." Money itself isn’t inherently evil, but when we begin to love it and what it can provide, it can become an idol. Other modern idols include social media, gambling, or even the quest for power. We must always be mindful of what we prioritize in our lives and ensure that nothing takes God’s place.
Images: Avoiding False Worship
In Leviticus 26:1, God warns His people not to make idols or images to bow down to. While God isn’t against the creation of images or representations, He forbids us from bowing down and worshiping them. This goes beyond just physical idols; it’s a warning against placing our trust or adoration in anything other than God Himself.
Think about how some people may worship their possessions or even a cross or a relic, believing that these things have power in themselves. The power isn’t in the objects we possess but in the God we serve. It’s important to remember that there is no power in an image or an object—only God has the power to transform and bless our lives.
Altars: Where We Make Spiritual Settlements.
In Exodus 34:12, God warns the Israelites not to make covenants with the inhabitants of the land they were entering, lest their altars become a snare to them. This highlights the importance of maintaining purity in our spiritual practices and not compromising by adopting the rituals or beliefs of the surrounding culture.
Altars: Decisions that settle important issues
An altar isn’t just a physical structure; it represents a place of spiritual negotiation, a space where we settle important issues in our lives. It’s a place where we make commitments—whether consciously or subconsciously—about where we place our trust, worship, and devotion. Just like in the days of Daniel, when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the king’s golden image, we must stand firm in our faith, refusing to bow down to the idols and altars of this world.
Making Up Our Minds: A Lifestyle of Devotion
As we navigate life and our relationship with God, it’s essential that we make a firm decision in our hearts to love Him with everything we have. This means rejecting idols, images, and altars that could lead us astray.
It’s about more than just avoiding sin; it’s about creating a lifestyle of devotion and worship that centers on God alone.
We must remember that church isn’t just an event; it’s a lifestyle. Our faith isn’t about fulfilling an obligation on Sunday mornings or ticking off spiritual boxes—it’s about consistently living in devotion to God. This includes making the decision not to compromise in a world that’s constantly trying to pull us away from God.
Whether it’s the allure of money, the temptation of social media, or the pressure to conform to the world’s standards, we must remain vigilant. God’s command is clear: He alone is worthy of our love and devotion. Let’s commit today to loving Him with all our hearts, souls, and minds—and to living out that love every day.
Breaking Strongholds: The Power of the Altar and Your Choices
There’s a person inside of you who is incredibly powerful, and you may not even realize it.
When you look in the mirror, you might see someone just like everyone else. But there’s more to you than meets the eye. Inside, there’s a powerful spirit that has the ability to stop the rain for three and a half years, to heal withered hands, and perform miracles. This person—this power—lives within you. But if you don’t recognize it, you may think you’re just an ordinary human.
The Business of the Earth: Spirits and Agreement
You see, as humans, we have the authority to do business at altars. Why? Because we are of the Earth. And spirits, whether from God or the enemy, cannot operate in the Earth without our agreement. Satan, often referred to in the Bible as the "prince of the power of the air," operates in the atmosphere, directing spiritual traffic. He has influence, but only if we let him.
Spirits cannot operate in the Earth unless they have permission. When you entertain negative thoughts or behaviors—things like sin, addictions, or secret struggles—you are unknowingly opening the door for spirits to enter your life. But the key here is that these spirits can’t enter unless you agree. No one told me this when I was younger, but it’s something I’ve come to understand: we make choices every day, and those choices can either invite or shut out spiritual forces from operating in our lives.
The Secret Struggles
Many of us struggle in secret, thinking no one can see. Maybe you're at home alone, thinking you can get away with indulging in something you know isn’t right. For instance, pornography is a struggle many face in isolation. While you're in church on Sunday, you might feel "sanctified" in the house of God, but at home, those same struggles rise up. Satan knows this and, like a spiritual traffic director, he sends forces to target you at your weakest point.
When you indulge in these hidden battles, you give Satan legal access to your life. But here’s the truth: this doesn't take away your salvation—it just damages your spiritual walk.
God calls us to tear down the idols in our lives and to do business at the altar correctly. It’s not just about going to church; it’s about addressing the altars in your own life, where you need to make choices that honor God.
Making Choices at the Altar
Every day, you are making choices. These choices are your way of negotiating with the spiritual forces at work around you. Satan doesn’t have the right to operate in your life unless you give him permission. Even when it comes to God’s will, angels can’t come unless you receive them. The Bible says God’s word is settled in heaven, but it’s not settled on Earth until you agree with it.
God’s word is powerful, but it doesn’t manifest until you say, “Yes, I agree with what God is saying.” This is where your spiritual authority lies: in agreeing with God’s will and bringing it to pass in your life. Your agreement is what allows God’s power to move.
Jesus at the Altar: A Spiritual Battle
In Matthew 4, Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted. He was brought to an altar by Satan himself, who offered him everything the world had to offer—without the need to suffer. Satan said, "You don’t have to go through the pain. Just bow down, and I’ll give it all to you."
This was a temptation at the altar: to take a shortcut, to avoid suffering. But Jesus didn’t give in. He resisted the temptation to make a deal with Satan, understanding that sometimes the path to victory involves pain and sacrifice. Suffering is part of living for God. It’s not easy, but it’s through that suffering that we grow spiritually.
Breaking Generational Curses: Tearing Down the Altars
God had the same message for Gideon. Gideon was a man who saw himself as weak and unworthy, but God saw something greater in him. God told Gideon, “You are a mighty man of valor.” But before Gideon could do great things for God, God told him to tear down the idols in his own household first. This is an important lesson: before you can go out and fulfill your purpose, you must address the issues in your own life. You need to deal with the altars that have been set up in your own family, even in your own heart.
Generational curses are real. These curses are patterns or behaviors passed down through families—things like addictions, anger, or even health problems. But the good news is that they can be broken. You don’t have to keep living under the influence of these curses. They can be broken at the altar.
The Power of Repentance at the Altar
When we come to the altar, the first step is repentance. I’ve had to come before God and say, “I messed up.” I can’t fix anything until I acknowledge that I’m the one who is wrong. Often, we like to blame others for our struggles—whether it’s the way we were raised, past trauma, or even what others have done to us. But God says, “That’s in the past. Don’t keep bringing it up.” He wants us to move forward.
You have the power to start fresh today. It’s not about blaming others—it’s about owning your choices and choosing to move forward. Repentance is the first step to healing and breaking those chains that have held you back.
It's Time to Make a Change
If you feel that tug in your heart, if you know it's time to make better choices and tear down the altars that have been standing in your way, then it’s time to act. Don’t sit there and think it’s too late or that you’re stuck. God is giving you a new opportunity today to make different decisions, to break free from the things that have been holding you captive.
It’s time to come to the altar, not just to receive forgiveness but to break free from the chains that have kept you in secret struggle. The enemy may be working in those hidden spaces, but God has the power to set you free. It's all about making the right choices today.
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