Gideon’s first public act under the authority and power of the Holy One was to clean house. God called upon Gideon to tear down his fathers false idols and to build an altar to the Lord in its place. Upon the altar he was to worship with a sacrifice the One true God. Through this public demonstration, the Lord was going to display who really was God; both to Gideon personally and to the city. And this was absolutely crucial to the success of Gideon and his men. God would not be able to use Gideon’s army while still influenced by these false idols.
Fasting is not only a spiritual discipline but is also a spiritual weapon.
Fasting is not only a spiritual discipline that brings us to greater holiness but is also a spiritual weapon that brings us greater victory. When we begin to fast it quickly reveals the number of personal AND familiar demons we may have influencing us. Fasting reveals how many idols have a pedestal in our lives. Perhaps the greatest military tool that has determined the outcome of almost every single battle in history is surveillance. When you know where your enemy is and what they are up to, your strategy will change to win you the victory.
The devil cannot stop you from tearing down his strongholds.
Baal, the false God in Gideon’s house and city, could not save himself when Gideon and his men threw down his statues and his altars where he was worshiped. Likewise, the devil cannot stop a holy and determined believer from tearing down his strongholds. Like a surveillance drone or camouflaged detection system, fasting is an absolute crucial step that ought to be taken before engaging the enemy on the battlefield.
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