How to Destroy Evil Altars With the Word of God

Evil altars are destroyed by the word of the Lord. The man of God who came to Bethel did not lay a hand on Jeroboam's altar. He cried against it in the word of the Lord, and it was torn apart (1 Kings 13:1-5). A believer does the same today: he speaks what God has said, in prayer, until the altar loses its power.

This teaching shows why the Word of God works against evil altars, three altars it brought down in Scripture, the verses to declare, and the steps to take. Prayer points follow at the end.

Why the Word of God destroys altars

An evil altar is a place where words are spoken and sacrifices are offered against people. The answer to an evil word is the Word of God.

Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

You are not helpless before an altar. Christ has given His people authority over it:

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

Three altars the word of God brought down

The altar at Bethel

King Jeroboam built an altar that enslaved many lives in Israel. He ruled the people unchallenged until a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the Lord. That was the first time the altar and its priest were challenged, and they were put to shame.

And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD. (1 Kings 13:2)

The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. (1 Kings 13:5)

The altar of Baal in Gideon's family

Gideon was a mighty man of valour, yet he was threshing wheat in hiding. The Lord spoke to him the same night: "Throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath... and build an altar unto the LORD thy God" (Judges 6:25-26). Gideon did as the Lord had said, and his deliverance began there.

The seven altars of Balak

Balak and Balaam raised seven altars to curse a whole nation. God put His own word in Balaam's mouth, and the altars could do nothing:

Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel. (Numbers 23:23)

Many Christians have never challenged the evil altars of their families, and that is why they live below their divine standard. Many evil priests do not stop until they are challenged.

Scriptures to declare against evil altars

• "But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves" (Exodus 34:13).
• "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up" (Matthew 15:13).
• "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn" (Isaiah 54:17).
• "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us... nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:14-15).
• "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11).
• "The blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel" (Hebrews 12:24).

How to use the Word against an evil altar

1. Ask God to show you the altar. Gideon asked why so much had befallen his people. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what stands behind a pattern of failure, an illness with no explanation or a problem that repeats in your family.
2. Repent and close the door. Whenever a person stands with God, prays the right prayers and lives a life of holiness, no power will destroy him.
3. Declare the Word aloud. Speak the scriptures above against the altar by name: the altar of your father's house, of your place of birth, of the place where you live.
4. Pray. "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18).
5. Fast. "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:21).
6. Proclaim the victory of Christ. He has already spoiled principalities and powers at the cross.
7. Raise the Lord's altar in its place. Gideon did not only pull down. He built. Keep a daily altar of prayer, the Word and worship, and "neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27).
8. Do not give up. "Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9).

Questions people ask

Can a Christian destroy an evil altar?

Yes. Christ has given His people power over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). Gideon and the man of God at Bethel each brought an altar down at the word of the Lord.

Which Bible verses can I use against evil altars?

Exodus 34:13, Numbers 23:23, Isaiah 54:17, Jeremiah 23:29, Matthew 15:13, Colossians 2:14-15 and Revelation 12:11. They are written out above.

How long should I pray against an evil altar?

Until there is a change. Some altars fall at one prayer, as at Bethel. Others take seasons of prayer and fasting. Do not be weary.

For what evil altars are and their types, read What Is an Evil Altar?. For where they began, read The Origin and Purpose of Evil Altars. See also Building Godly Altars and the video training Breaking Free from Evil Altars.