Tear Down the Idols for Revival

In the Bible, we see many instances that as God used people, He would command them to tear down the idols of the land. From Gideon tearing down the Baals of his father, Moses destroying the golden calf that the Israelites made, to Josiah burning altars of false gods and removing abominations from the land. You see that God refused to tolerate anything that would take their attention away from Him. He didn’t just want it placed to the side but wanted them destroyed. You see how God honored men who wouldn’t bow to the idols, even in the midst of potentially losing their lives. We see examples of 4 mighty men in captivity. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedego refused to bow down to the idols of the land because they knew the God they served. Then we see where God physically made Dagon bow down when placed by the Ark of the Covenant. God is number one, and no idol can stand up against Him. I want to share a few stories that can show insight into what happens when we tolerate idols.

Last month my son asked a question about Thor, and the Vikings came up naturally. As I did a quick Google search I found some pretty remarkable facts about the Vikings that I didn’t know. We generally know them as pillagers, which they were. However, during the 700’s, Christianity was introduced to Denmark. Missionaries came into the region and it was not very commonly received. By this time much of Europe had already converted to Christianity from their previous pagan religions. Denmark was not very interested in this conversion at all, as they were satisfied with worshipping Odin, Thor, and many other false Nordic gods. Their beliefs affected their trade relations with Europe, and begrudgingly many said they had accepted the Christian ways, which allowed them to trade goods again. Their mouths confessed one thing, yet their hearts felt a very different way. 

Within 100 years studies estimate that half of the population had genuinely accepted Christianity. The Good news was refreshing, and many loved the fresh white garments they were given after their public baptisms. They would have a cross on their necks and they gladly accepted Jesus as the Messiah. They understood that He was God’s son, and they were very welcoming to salvation. Accounts are given that they took their looted treasures and built monasteries and stoned mosques. Within another hundred years Denmark was considered a “majority Christian” nation. Christianity expanded out to Norway, and eventually Sweden. The Vikings as we see on TV and in books practically ceased to exist because Jesus had affected them in such positive manners in that region, yet the ones still fully pagan were later overcome in battle. It sounds like an incredible part of history, but like many in the Bible, there were idols they couldn't part with. 

As many openly accepted the good news of Jesus, some of them didn’t renounce their Nordic gods, they just added Jesus into the mix of their old faith and the new. It was easy for them to accept Jesus as the Son of God along with their other gods. How often do we see that in the church? Where people want Jesus to bless their life, not to change it. History says that some who would pass away with a cross on their neck would have the symbol of Thor’s hammer on their caskets, just in case. For these Danes, it was mostly kept secret. They believed the more powerful one would get them to the right place whether that was Heaven or Valhalla. As interesting as this was, it led me to an article that saddened my heart. It was people calling for the Viking revival. Ultimately some people were pulling away from Christianity, to serve their former Nordic gods. What you don’t crucify in your life will always resurrect later. 

There is a man in the Bible, who is always talked about so wonderfully. He did many great works for God, but it shows a flaw just like some of the Vikings. Jehu was a powerful man who was anointed by God. In the Bible it tells his heroic tales from immediately being anointed by the prophet Elijah, to quickly slaying Ahaziah, (who was the son of Ahab). Then Jezebel was thrown out of the window by his command. He goes on to kill all of Ahab’s 70 sons. Then he gathers all of the Baal worshippers in one place, and with 80 men outside, he kills every single one of them and desecrates their sacred pillars. It is quite an intense account of history from 2 Kings (chapters 9-11). I encourage you to read it all. 

The Bible records all of these incredible things that Jehu did for the Lord, It even records in scripture that “ all Jehu did could not be written in the books of Chronicles”. It couldn’t contain all of his accomplishments, but it recorded his one compromise. In 2 Kings 10:31, the Bible says, “Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel sin.” You may be asking, what was the sin of Jeroboam?  The sin of Jeroboam was erecting golden calves in Bethel and Dan. Most people would say, “Is it really that a big deal? He did so many wonderful works for the Lord, and he missed that one little thing.” To the Lord, it was important enough to list in his memorial. As stated above, it says, “It caused Israel to sin.” The entire nation sinned because he didn’t tear down the golden calves. 

As we look in the history of the Bible it shows where the first instance of the golden calf was. You noticed it started with one, and multiplied to two. What we don’t crucify will eventually reproduce. Moses may have torn it down, but it was still in the hearts as a backup for the people.  When Moses went to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments, Aaron was left with the people and they took all the blessings God had given them; which was gold the Egyptians had given them when they made the exodus from Egypt. They melted it down to worship a useless statue. 

We know the outcome. The children of Israel never made it into the promised land. Israel continued to sin because they refused to tear down the idols. Between Israel and Judah Kings would sometimes serve the Lord, but all tolerated idols until Josiah’s reign when he finally tore down the golden calves, and every other idol. One “small” idol of a calf led to worshipping Baal, Astaroth, and Molech, which required far worse things than melting gold. Eventually, God gave them over to their idols, which we see Israel taken away by the Assyrians, and Judah given to the Babylonian captivity. Thankfully, God is so merciful to not only sustain them but also to restore them.

As I was reading all of this the Holy Spirit started revealing “Whatever idol you don’t destroy in your life, will eventually destroy you.” We can get so caught up in justifying our sins that we miss God. We can make excuses, and say nonchalantly how “it isn’t that bad.” like the children of Israel, Jehu, or the Vikings. Whatever you don’t tear down, your children will have to combat. Whatever you tolerate, the next generation will embrace. 

This is a full-blown war, BUT we have the victory through Jesus. He goes before us, and all we have to do is stand firm on the truth and obey His commands. My husband said something a year ago, giving me such a beautiful visual. According to Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death.” He said, “When sin starts to entice me, I immediately see it as death.” 

When lust comes in, and you give in, it’s death. 

When you lie, it’s death.

When you are disobedient, it’s death.

When you partake of gossip, it’s death.

 Sin is death, and sin separates you from God. When you begin to view the idols in your life as God does, you will no longer see them as pleasure, but death. We can’t be in covenant with God, and be holding hands with another lover. Israel did this time and time again. Disobedience leads to sin, and compromise continues to follow. His voice dwindles, and you begin to not even miss hearing it. The sin that once made you cringe becomes pleasurable, and before you know it you’ve given yourself to another lover. Jesus says many times in the New Testament, “If you love me, you’ll keep my commandments.” Do we love Him more than we love things of the world? Is He your treasure?

Many people have callings that were never fulfilled because their idols took precedence over God. An idol is anything you place over God, it was generally a statue or wooden figure then, and many say things like, “Well I don’t bow down to statues.” That isn’t as common now, but it can be anything that takes your gaze away from Jesus. It can be bad mindsets, lies of the enemy, food, a spouse, children, social media, jobs, football, video games. It is anything that seduces you away from the Lord. Jehu did many works for God but didn’t tear down the idols. The children of Israel never made the 13-day journey, they all died after wandering 40 years in the wilderness. I refuse to circle a mountain again but want to climb this year. The Vikings loved Jesus but kept Thor in their back pocket, just in case. Do you have anything in your back pocket? Have you burned the ships?

I want you to evaluate your life. Ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything in your life that has become an idol to you. Have you given 95% of your life to Jesus, but secretly that 5% loves something else? God has been cleaning our home of many things that we thought were okay, but they can’t go with us in this next season. The way is narrow and nothing else can fit with you. It’s an ultimatum time we are living in. He is separating those who are “all in” from those who are “mostly in”. We must be all in, or we will be completely out. It has brought such a holy and reverent fear to us. I don’t want to be entangled with the things of this world and lose sight of His gaze for something measly in this world. The rich young ruler was a great person who followed the law, gave to the poor, did services, and asked Jesus what more he could do, only to be met with, “Sell all your possessions and follow me.” He was grieved and chose the things of the world over Jesus. This year I truly ask that you tear down all the idols in your life, and give it all to Jesus. He gave it all for us, let this be the year we completely surrender everything to Him. 

This is such an exciting time. We are on the brink of many promises the Lord has shown us. Souls are coming, revival is coming, and Nations are welcoming us in, this is a time to lay down the idols and compromises that have entangled you in the past, and to run the race unhindered. As Romans 8;19 says, “ For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” THAT’S US!! The world is waiting on us to preach the unadulterated truth and show them who Jesus really is!! I am encouraging you, freedom is here! Ask for pure hands and a clean heart. Ask the Lord to expose anything in your life that shouldn’t be there. Then ask what He wants you to do. Let’s let this year be full of advancement for the Kingdom of Heaven.