There is a widespread misunderstanding when it comes to the word of God. Many people have misinterpreted His word and resorted to practices that are not in line with what God intended. One of the most common misconceptions is that the Old Testament’s physical rituals, such as animal sacrifices and breaking altars, should be carried out in the modern age. These practices, while important in their time, were merely symbolic of the spiritual life that was to come through Jesus Christ.
Jesus Himself made it clear that He did not come to abolish the law of Moses, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). The laws and practices in the Old Testament were meant to point us to Christ, the One who would fulfill all the righteous requirements. As the prophet Jeremiah foretold, God would no longer write His laws on tablets of stone but would write them on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). The Old Testament practices were simply symbols of the spiritual transformation that was to come through Christ.
When God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac, God provided a substitute in the form of a ram (Genesis 22:13). This ram symbolized Jesus Christ, who would one day lay down His life for the sins of the world. The substitutionary atonement of Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system. If we believe in Christ and accept Him as our Savior, we are assured of redemption through His death and resurrection.
Unfortunately, some individuals in the church today have resorted to practices that mirror those of the enemy, such as animal sacrifices (sometimes in the form of money) to “break altars” or gain spiritual victory. These practices, rooted in Old Testament rituals, have been embraced by the devil and are now used to deceive people.
According to 2 Corinthians 10:4, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). The rituals of the Old Testament, which symbolized spiritual truths to come through Christ, have now been co-opted by the enemy. Those who continue to observe these physical rituals, such as animal sacrifices, are in error. They must study the Bible and seek the Lord’s guidance, for they are unknowingly fulfilling the enemy’s agenda.
A person who continues in these misguided practices is confused and, unfortunately, being used by the devil to deceive others. Such individuals may not realize they are being manipulated by evil forces to spread false teachings. If you are engaging in practices that go against the truth of Christ’s fulfillment of the law, it’s essential to reevaluate your actions in light of God’s Word.
The Bible teaches that prayer is our weapon to demolish strongholds and overcome spiritual darkness. Through prayer and the Word of God, we have the power to destroy evil altars and break free from generational curses (James 5:16). True spiritual warfare is not about physical rituals but about using the power of prayer and the Word of God to fight in the spiritual realms.
Jesus made it clear that those who believe in Him will have the power to perform signs and wonders. He promised that believers would have authority over the enemy and that they would trample on snakes and scorpions, symbolizing victory over witchcraft and spiritual attacks (Luke 10:19). It is important to recognize that all power and authority are given to those who believe in Christ.
The Bible tells us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16). We do not fight with physical weapons, but with spiritual ones that have divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). The real battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Men and women of God must rely on the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit, to fight the enemy’s schemes and demolish the strongholds that hinder God’s work.
Through prayer, believers in Christ have the authority to uproot, destroy, and demolish all evil altars in their families and lives. These altars, which represent the influence of sin and the enemy’s hold on families, can be broken through fervent prayer in the name of Jesus. It is important to note that money or animal sacrifices should never be used to break altars. Instead, they should be used as expressions of gratitude in the form of offerings and tithes to God.
God does not need our sacrifices or offerings. He desires our hearts. As the prophet Samuel said, “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice…” (1 Samuel 15:22). Many people today are trying to bribe God with sacrifices, but God will not accept the sacrifice if it is not offered with a pure heart. God does not look at the outward appearance but at the condition of the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
In the story of Cain and Abel, we see that Cain’s offering was rejected by God not because of the offering itself, but because of the condition of his heart. In Genesis 4:6-7, God warns Cain, saying, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” God clearly pointed out that Cain had the power to control the evil that was at the door of his heart. The sin that would lead him to murder his brother was already lurking within him, but he had the choice to overcome it.
The apostle Paul echoes this struggle when he writes in Romans 7:19, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” This highlights the internal conflict that every believer faces—our flesh desires to do evil, but through Christ, we are empowered to overcome it. It is the evil that resides in us that causes us to do the things we hate, and without Christ, we cannot control it.
A person who is not in Christ is vulnerable to evil spirits. When someone backslides, the Bible warns that seven more evil spirits come and dwell within them (Matthew 12:43-45). This shows the importance of staying grounded in Christ, for only He can protect us from the influence of evil spirits and give us the power to overcome the temptations and desires of our flesh.
One of the most powerful truths in the Bible is that Jesus Christ is waiting for everyone, regardless of their sins, with open arms. He is always ready to forgive, to cleanse, and to give a new life to anyone who calls upon His name. In Revelation 3:20, Christ says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Jesus is always ready to embrace us and offer us the forgiveness and transformation we need, no matter what we have done in our past.
Our lives are written in God’s book, and what is written in that book can only be applied if we live in Christ. The Bible tells us that our names are written in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:15), and that living in Christ is the only way to align our lives with God’s will. If we choose to live according to the world or follow our own wicked hearts, we miss out on the purpose and plan God has for us.
We must make the conscious decision to live according to the Word of God, not based on the world or our own sinful desires. Christ offers us a new life, a life that is abundant and free from the power of sin. To live in Christ is to align our actions, thoughts, and desires with His will, and this is the only way we can truly fulfill the purpose He has for us.
It is essential that we study the Word of God. Many people today misuse or misquote the Bible for their own gain or to manipulate others. The Word of God is meant to rebuke, correct, and guide us in the right direction (2 Timothy 3:16). We should never follow blindly or be deceived by those who are using the Word of God for selfish purposes.
Many people are deceived and are walking the path of death because they follow signs, miracles, or