When we hear the word altar, most of us imagine ancient stone structures where sacrifices were offered. In the Bible, altars were central to worship, covenants, and spiritual encounters. God’s people built altars to honor Him, but pagan nations also built altars to false gods. Again and again, God commanded His children to destroy those evil altars because they were not just harmless monuments—they represented rebellion, corruption, and spiritual bondage.
The same is true today. Evil altars may not always be visible, but they still exist. They can show up as sinful habits, generational patterns, or even internal battles that draw us away from God. If left standing, they become strongholds. But the good news is this: God has given us authority through Christ to destroy them and build altars of righteousness in their place.
Let’s take a closer look at what evil altars are, what the Bible says about them, and how we can confront them in our daily lives.
What Are Evil Altars?
In Scripture, an altar was a meeting place between man and the spiritual realm. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob built altars to worship the Lord, seek His guidance, and renew the covenant. But the enemy always imitates God’s pattern. Pagan nations raised altars to Baal, Ashtoreth, and Molech. These altars invited demonic influence, led to bloodshed, and enslaved people in idolatry.
Evil altars aren’t just relics of the past. They manifest spiritually today as anything that demands our devotion and pulls us away from God. For some, it’s addiction—alcohol, or drugs. For others, it’s bitterness, greed, or pride. Even cultural practices rooted in witchcraft, charms, or secret oaths are forms of evil altars.
Think about it: an altar is a place of sacrifice. Whatever we consistently sacrifice our time, energy, or emotions to—apart from God—can become an altar in our lives. If we aren’t careful, these invisible altars begin to rule us.
God’s Command to Destroy Evil Altars
God is jealous for His people. He never wanted His worship mixed with idolatry. That’s why in Deuteronomy 12:3, He commanded:
“Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, burn their Asherah poles in the fire, and cut down the idols of their gods.”
This wasn’t a gentle suggestion. It was a direct order to wipe out everything that dishonored Him. God knew that if Israel left even one altar standing, it would eventually corrupt their hearts.
The same principle applies today. A “little compromise” often grows into bondage. A small habit of dishonesty, for example, can turn into a lifestyle of lies. Hidden resentment can harden into hatred. That’s why God calls us to destroy—not tolerate—every altar that opposes Him.
Exodus 34:13 repeats the command: “Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles.”
Obedience in this area is critical, because leaving an altar untouched can hold a family, community, or even a whole nation in spiritual captivity.
Biblical Examples of Destroying Altars
The Bible is filled with men and women who confronted evil altars with boldness. Their stories show us what’s possible when we obey God fully.
● Gideon (Judges 6:25-26): God told Gideon to destroy his father’s altar to Baal and build a new altar to the Lord. Gideon risked the anger of his own household and community, but his obedience brought deliverance to Israel. This teaches us that sometimes, the evil altars we must confront are very close to home—family traditions, cultural practices, or inherited patterns of sin.
● King Josiah (2 Kings 23:13-14): Josiah became king as a young man, but his zeal for God was unmatched. He ordered the destruction of every pagan altar in the land, even those built by Solomon for foreign gods. His courage sparked a national revival and turned hearts back to God.
● King Asa (2 Chronicles 14:3-5): Asa removed foreign altars and commanded Judah to seek the Lord. The result? God gave his kingdom peace. Destroying evil altars often brings restoration and blessing.
Each of these examples shows a pattern: obedience to God in destroying altars leads to freedom, peace, and revival.
Evil Altars in Our Lives Today
Most of us won’t wake up to find a shrine to Baal in our backyard. But evil altars today are often more subtle. They take the form of:
● Addictions that consume our thoughts and control our behavior.
● Occult practices like astrology, witchcraft, or fortune-telling that people treat as harmless entertainment.
● Unforgiveness and generational bitterness that poison family relationships.
● Sexual immorality that cheapens God’s design for intimacy.
● Idolatry of money, fame, or relationships that replaces God as our first love.
I remember speaking with a young woman who couldn’t understand why she felt stuck in cycles of failure. Through prayer, she realized she had been holding onto bitterness toward her parents for years. That unforgiveness had become an altar in her heart, draining her spiritually. Once she forgave, it was as though chains fell off her life.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 reminds us: “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.”
That’s exactly what destroying altars looks like in our generation—pulling down spiritual strongholds through repentance, prayer, and surrender to Christ.
Building the Right Altar
Destroying an altar is not enough—we must replace it with the right one. After Gideon tore down his father’s altar, God instructed him to build a new altar to the Lord.
If we simply quit a bad habit but don’t replace it with godly practices, the empty space will eventually be filled with something else—often worse (Matthew 12:43-45).
So how do we build godly altars today?
● Altars of prayer: Set aside daily time to talk with God. Make your home a place where His presence is welcomed.
● Altars of worship: Fill your heart and environment with songs of praise, not just on Sunday but every day.
● Altars of obedience: Honor God in decisions, relationships, and finances. Choose His way, even when it’s harder.
● Altars of Scripture: Spend time in His Word, allowing it to reshape your mind and values.
Like Elijah in 1 Kings 18:30, we must repair the altar of the Lord in our lives and families. Only then will God’s fire fall afresh.
Destroying evil altars is more than an Old Testament command—it’s a spiritual reality for every believer today. These altars may not be built of stone, but they still enslave hearts and families. The good news is that Christ has already won the victory. Through His death and resurrection, every curse, stronghold, and altar of darkness is broken.
Still, God calls us to cooperate with Him. Just as Gideon, Josiah, and Asa obeyed, we too must identify and tear down the altars in our own lives. Whether it’s an addiction, bitterness, pride, or misplaced worship, the command remains: destroy it. Then, rebuild with prayer, worship, and devotion to Christ.
When we do, we invite revival into our homes, peace into our hearts, and blessing into our future.
So ask yourself today: What altar might God be asking you to destroy? And what altar to Him do you need to build in its place?
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