THE ALTAR AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Title: THE ALTAR AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Exodus 17:8-15
Supporting Texts: 2 Samuel 24:18-25, Judges 6:25-26, 1 Kings 18:30-39

INTRODUCTION:
In the realm of spiritual warfare, altars play a crucial role as strategic locations where battles are fought and victories are claimed. Altars serve as points of spiritual contact with God, where sacrifices are made, prayers are offered, and divine instructions are given. The enemy, too, seeks to set up altars in order to claim territories and assert control. As believers, we must understand the power and significance of altars, for they serve as battlefronts in the spiritual realm. This teaching will explore the relationship between altars and spiritual warfare, equipping believers to rise in victory.

1. ALTARS AS SPIRITUAL BATTLEFIELDS

a) Spiritual Points of Contact
Altars act as direct points of contact between the natural and spiritual realms, where spiritual battles take place (1 Kings 18:30-39).

b) The Enemy's Strategic Setup
The enemy establishes altars to claim dominion and hold territories, often working through idolatry and evil practices (Exodus 20:3-5).

c) Claiming Territory for God
When believers raise altars to God, they claim territories for His kingdom, shifting the spiritual atmosphere and breaking the enemy's hold (Exodus 17:8-15).

d) A Place of Warfare and Consecration
An altar is both a place of consecration and spiritual warfare, where battles are fought through prayer, fasting, and worship (Judges 6:25-26).

e) Biblical Example: In Exodus 17:8-15, the Israelites fought the Amalekites, and when Moses raised his hands in prayer, the battle shifted in their favor, signifying the power of the altar in spiritual warfare.

2. ALTARS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT AS SPIRITUAL WARFARE CENTERS

a) Building Altars to Claim Spiritual Victory
In the Old Testament, altars were built to mark victories and claim God’s intervention in battles (2 Samuel 24:18-25).

b) Overcoming Enemy Strongholds
Every time God's people raised altars, they overcame enemy strongholds and broke the power of darkness (1 Kings 18:30-39).

c) The Power of Divine Intervention
Altars often became places where God intervened supernaturally, answering with fire or divine direction (Judges 6:25-26).

d) Victory through Sacrifice
The altars of the Old Testament were associated with sacrifices, which symbolized the ultimate victory over sin and the enemy (Leviticus 1:1-9).

e) Biblical Example: In 2 Samuel 24:18-25, King David built an altar to God in obedience, and it was through this act that God halted the plague and brought mercy to Israel.

3. SPIRITUAL WARFARE THROUGH ALTARS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

a) Spiritual Warfare in the New Covenant
In the New Testament, altars continue to play a role in spiritual warfare, but now through the power of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (Hebrews 13:10).

b) The Altar of Prayer and Fasting
Believers are called to raise altars of prayer and fasting as acts of spiritual warfare against the enemy’s attacks (Matthew 17:21).

c) The Altar of Worship
Worship is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare, and when raised before God, it destroys the works of the enemy (Revelation 8:3-4).

d) The Altar of the Word of God
The Word of God serves as a spiritual altar, the foundation of all victory in spiritual warfare, as it is sharper than any sword (Ephesians 6:17).

e) Biblical Example: In Acts 16:25-26, Paul and Silas raised an altar of worship in prison, and the power of God shook the foundations, leading to their deliverance.

4. STRATEGIES FOR WINNING SPIRITUAL BATTLES THROUGH ALTARS

a) Raising Altars of Prayer and Fasting
Prayer and fasting are potent weapons at the altar, used to break spiritual strongholds and bring about victory (Matthew 17:21).

b) Declaring God’s Word from the Altar
The power of God's Word, spoken from the altar, causes walls of opposition to crumble and releases breakthroughs (Isaiah 55:11).

c) Making Sacrifices at the Altar
The sacrifices made at the altar, whether of our time, resources, or personal desires, are spiritual weapons that enforce God’s will (Romans 12:1).

d) Consistent Worship and Praise
Worship at the altar creates an atmosphere that displaces the enemy and allows God's presence to dwell richly (Psalm 22:3).

e) Biblical Example: In 1 Samuel 7:10-12, Samuel raised an altar of prayer, and as a result, God brought victory to Israel over the Philistines.

5. THE ROLE OF ALTARS IN BREAKING THE STRONGHOLDS OF THE ENEMY

a) Destroying the Enemy’s Altars
One of the purposes of the altar is to destroy the altars set up by the enemy, which hold people in bondage to sin and spiritual oppression (2 Kings 10:26-28).

b) An Altar as a Place of Protection
Altars serve as a place of divine protection, where the enemy cannot reach or harm those who have set up the altar before God (Psalm 91:1-2).

c) Breaking Curses and Bondages
Through the altar, believers can break curses, generational patterns, and demonic bondages that have been in place for years (Galatians 3:13-14).

d) Establishing God’s Dominion
When believers raise altars, they establish God’s dominion over all areas of life, conquering every enemy force (Matthew 16:18).

e) Biblical Example: Gideon destroyed the altar of Baal and built an altar to the Lord in Judges 6:25-26, breaking the strongholds of idolatry over his people.

CONCLUSION:
Altars are powerful strategic locations in spiritual warfare. Through them, believers can claim victory, break spiritual strongholds, and establish the rule of God over their lives and territories. A raised altar is not just a place of sacrifice but a point of spiritual contact that shifts the atmosphere and brings about divine intervention. As we build and maintain altars, we align ourselves with God’s divine purposes, engage in spiritual warfare, and experience His victory in all areas of life.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, I raise an altar of worship and intercession, claiming victory over every spiritual battle in my life.

2. Every altar of the enemy raised against my life, I destroy you by the fire of God in the name of Jesus.

3. Lord, as I raise my altar of prayer, let every stronghold of the enemy be broken in Jesus' name.

4. I declare that no weapon formed against me will prosper as I stand before the altar of God.

5. Father, let Your fire fall upon my altar and consume every work of darkness in my life.

6. I raise an altar of praise and worship, and I declare that God’s presence fills every area of my life.

7. Lord, let the Word of God that I declare from the altar break every curse and demonic bondages in my life.

8. Every demonic altar influencing my family, I destroy you by the power of the altar of God.

9. I claim victory over the powers of darkness as I raise an altar of sacrifice and consecration.

10. Father, let Your dominion and authority be established over every area of my life through the altar I raise before You.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. As you raise an altar of prayer, the enemy will flee in seven directions.

2. Your altar will become a place of supernatural victory and divine protection.

3. Every altar of darkness raised against you will be consumed by the fire of God.

4. The Lord will release divine instructions and strategy for spiritual warfare from the altar you raise.

5. As you raise an altar of worship, God's presence will manifest in every area of your life.

6. The enemy's strongholds in your life will be broken through the power of your raised altar.

7. You will experience a shift in the spiritual atmosphere as you raise an altar before the Lord.

8. Your raised altar will establish the dominion of God in your family, community, and nation.

9. The altar of the Lord in your life will bring victory and breakthrough in every battle you face.

10. Your altar will be a place of divine encounter, bringing restoration and renewal to every area of your life.