DEALING WITH COMMUNITY ALTARS

Title: DEALING WITH COMMUNITY ALTARS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Judges 6:25-32
Supporting Texts: Exodus 34:13, 1 Kings 18:30-39

INTRODUCTION:
Community altars are spiritual structures, both physical and spiritual, set up by people in a community to worship deities or powers other than the Almighty God. These altars may be physical shrines, ancestral worship places, or ungodly cultural practices that invoke spiritual bondage over a people. For believers, these altars pose spiritual challenges and must be confronted with divine wisdom and power. The story of Gideon teaches us how to deal with such altars and establish the supremacy of the altar of God.

1. UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY ALTARS

a) Definition of Altars
An altar is a place of spiritual transactions where covenants, sacrifices, and worship are made (Genesis 12:7).

b) The Purpose of Community Altars
These altars often aim to control, manipulate, or curse people in the community.

c) Identifying the Signs of a Community Altar
Patterns of bondage, poverty, sickness, or idolatry are often signs of altars at work.

d) The Spiritual Impact of Community Altars
They create spiritual barriers, delays, and limitations in the lives of people (Exodus 20:4-5).

e) Biblical Example: Gideon recognised the altar to Baal in his community as the root of Israel's suffering (Judges 6:25).

2. THE NECESSITY OF DESTROYING EVIL ALTARS

a) God’s Command to Destroy Altars
God instructed the Israelites to destroy every pagan altar (Exodus 34:13).

b) Altars Empower Evil Forces
As long as these altars stand, they empower demonic activities.

c) Destroying Altars Breaks Covenants
Evil covenants made at these altars must be broken through destruction and prayer (Isaiah 10:27).

d) Replacing Evil Altars with Godly Altars
After destroying Baal’s altar, Gideon built an altar to the Lord (Judges 6:26).

e) Biblical Example: Elijah confronted and destroyed the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:30-40).

3. STEPS TO DEALING WITH COMMUNITY ALTARS

a) Spiritual Awareness
Ask God to reveal the presence of evil altars through discernment and prayer (Jeremiah 33:3).

b) Spiritual Warfare
Engage in intense prayers and fasting to destroy the spiritual foundation of these altars (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

c) Boldness in Action
Gideon, though initially afraid, obeyed God’s instruction to destroy the altar of Baal (Judges 6:27).

d) Build an Altar to God
Establish a place of worship and communion with God to counteract the influence of the evil altar (Genesis 35:1-3).

e) Biblical Example: Hezekiah cleansed the land by removing all high places and restoring true worship (2 Kings 18:4).

4. THE POWER OF GOD'S ALTAR

a) God’s Altar is a Place of Covenant
It represents a connection between God and His people (Genesis 8:20-22).

b) God’s Altars Command Supernatural Power
God answers by fire on His altar (1 Kings 18:38).

c) The Altar of Christ’s Blood
The ultimate altar is the cross of Christ, which nullifies all evil covenants (Hebrews 12:24).

d) Worship and Sacrifice on God’s Altar
Regular prayer and worship strengthen the influence of God’s altar (Psalm 141:2).

e) Biblical Example: Noah’s altar secured a covenant of peace with God after the flood (Genesis 8:20-22).

5. MAINTAINING FREEDOM AFTER DESTROYING EVIL ALTARS

a) Stay Spiritually Alert
Remain vigilant to prevent the enemy from rebuilding evil altars (1 Peter 5:8).

b) Consecrate Yourself to God
Live a holy and devoted life to God (Romans 12:1-2).

c) Consistent Prayer and Intercession
Regular prayers keep you spiritually fortified (Ephesians 6:18).

d) Preach Deliverance to Others
Share the gospel to help others confront and destroy their community altars (Isaiah 61:1).

e) Biblical Example: Jehoshaphat maintained reform and spiritual revival in Judah after purging altars (2 Chronicles 17:6).

CONCLUSION:
Community altars are spiritual strongholds that enforce curses and limitations. However, as believers, we are empowered by God to confront and destroy them. Like Gideon, we must take bold steps to identify, destroy, and replace evil altars with godly ones. By engaging in prayer, worship, and spiritual warfare, we can secure deliverance and establish God’s dominion in our lives and communities.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, reveal every hidden altar working against my community.

2. Lord, give me the boldness to confront and destroy every evil altar.

3. By the power in the name of Jesus, I destroy all ancestral altars affecting my family.

4. I declare freedom from every evil covenant made at ungodly altars.

5. Lord, establish Your altar of righteousness in my community.

6. By the blood of Jesus, I break every curse linked to community altars.

7. Father, release Your fire to consume every evil altar in my territory.

8. Lord, empower me to walk in Your victory over demonic forces.

9. Father, raise godly altars in my family and neighbourhood.

10. Lord, let Your covenant of peace and prosperity be established in my community.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. Every evil altar in your community is destroyed by fire in Jesus' name!

2. The power of ancestral altars is broken over your life and family.

3. God is raising you as a Gideon to deliver your community.

4. Every demonic covenant is nullified by the blood of Jesus.

5. The altar of the Lord shall reign supreme in your life and community.

6. You are delivered from every limitation caused by community altars.

7. God’s fire will consume all ungodly altars in your territory.

8. Your community will experience revival and restoration.

9. The victory of Christ will manifest fully in your life.

10. You are empowered to walk in dominion and establish God's kingdom.