I believe every believer has to do some “breaking idols.” In my journey of faith as a believer, I have sometimes encountered obstacles that hinder my spiritual growth and connection with God.
These obstacles can take the form of idols in our lives, distracting us from the true path of worship and devotion. Once we break these idols, our relationship and commitment are renewed to the one true God.
Anything that takes precedence over our devotion to Him is an idol that has to be broken. Today, we explore the story of Gideon to understand how he broke the idols that held his people captive and what it means for us in our spiritual walk.
Anchor Bible Verse of the Day on Breaking Idols
Now it came to pass the same night that the Lord said to him, ‘Take your father’s young bull, the second bull of seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the wooden image that is beside it.
Judges 6:25 (NKJV)
This verse narrates the moment when the Lord called Gideon to take action. God instructed Gideon to dismantle the altar of Baal and the wooden image.
Baal was an idol worshipped by many, and this act marked the beginning of Gideon’s mission to purify the land and restore worship to the one true God.
Key Explanations
- Altar of Baal: An idolatrous altar dedicated to a false god.
- Wooden image: A representation of a false deity or idol.
Reflection on Breaking Idols
To the believer, Breaking Idols should carry a significant message. Idols in our lives can take various forms – they might be:
- Physical objects,
- Ambitions,
- Relationships, or even
- Attitudes that we hold in higher regard than our devotion to God.
The Bible consistently warns against idolatry, emphasizing the importance of serving the one true God.
The story of Gideon provides an excellent illustration of the need to break idols. Baal was a false god worshipped by many during Gideon’s time, and the Lord’s command to destroy the altar of Baal symbolizes the necessity of removing any competing gods from our hearts.
These competing idols may not be physical objects, but they hold a prominent place in our hearts and minds, often taking priority over our relationship with God.
In Exodus 20:3-4, the first two commandments emphasize this point:
You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
God’s desire is that He alone holds the highest place in our hearts and lives. When we allow idols to take His place, we hinder our spiritual growth and relationship with Him.
See, breaking idols is not only a physical act but also a spiritual one. It requires a conscious decision to put God first and remove anything that stands in the way of our wholehearted devotion to Him.
The act of tearing down the altar of Baal symbolizes our commitment to worship the true God and renounce false idols.
In Isaiah 42:8, God declares,
I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images.
This verse serves as a reminder of God’s exclusivity. His glory and praise should belong to Him alone, not to any false gods or idols in our lives.
We find support for this in Matthew 6:24:
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.
The message is clear: we must choose between serving God or serving our idols.
Call to Action
Today, take a moment to reflect on your life. Are there any idols or distractions that hinder your relationship with God?
It could be a material possession, a habit, an unhealthy ambition, or any other competing priority. Decide to break those idols in your life, put God first, and renew your commitment to worship Him alone.
Prayer Points for Today
- Pray for the wisdom to recognize the idols in your life.
- Ask for the strength to confront and break down these idols.
- Pray for a deeper relationship with God and a renewed focus on Him.
Let’s Pray
Our Father, we come before You with hearts open to Your guidance. Help us to identify and confront the idols in our lives, just as Gideon did. Grant us the strength to prioritize our relationship with You above all else.
In Jesus’ mighty and precious name, we pray. Amen.
My prayer for you today: May you find the courage and determination to break down the idols in your life, allowing your relationship with God to flourish and thrive.
