The ancient battle of spiritual forces rages on, and today, as in the days of Gideon, the name of the Lord is invoked to rally the hearts of His people.
America, a country once consecrated to God, now finds itself entangled with idols, embracing what was once denounced, a reality reminiscent of the times when Baal’s altars were venerated in Israel. However, within this storm, the Lord calls His warriors to stand firm, to be the ones who cut down the idols and challenge the very gods that hold sway.
In the book of Judges, Gideon’s story unfolds as a beacon of inspiration for modern believers (Judg. 6). The name “Gideon” itself means “the one who cuts down,” a poignant symbol for the spiritual warfare Christians must engage in today. Just as Gideon boldly tore down Baal’s altar, so too must today’s followers of Christ confront the idols and false gods that have seeped into the culture of America.
Gideon’s father, Joash, offered insight when he questioned those who sought to punish his son. “Will you contend for Baal? Will you save Baal?” he asked. The wisdom in his words is profound, demanding that if Baal is a god, let him contend for himself. It’s a challenge to the gods of this age, an assertion that if they hold any true power, they should manifest it. This is the essence of the spiritual battle that we, as Christians, face today.
This cultural shift, this acceptance and even promotion of that which was once condemned, is akin to the same forces that pressured Gideon. Just as the people then sought to silence Gideon for destroying the altars, we too find ourselves facing opposition, intimidation and attempts to cancel our message. Yet, like Gideon, we must rise as “Jerubbaal,” a name echoing the call for Baal to contend. We are called to rise against fear, against compromise, against the sinful allure of the world.
The Lord reminds us through His Word that we are not to be intimidated by these idols, these false gods or the threats of the age. We are called to be strong and courageous, standing firm in the name of the Lord, confident in His supremacy. We are more than conquerors (Rom. 8:37) through Him who loves us, and in this spiritual battle, we have the assurance that He who is in us is greater than any force opposing us.
The legacy of Gideon challenges us to take a stand against the gods of our time. It calls us to be bold, unyielding and unafraid. Just as Gideon’s actions broke the spell of Baal, so too can our resolute commitment to Christ shatter the illusions and deceptions of the world. We are called to be the “Jerubbaal” generation, a people unswayed by intimidation, boldly proclaiming the truth and contending for the honor of God.
In the midst of this spiritual war, let us heed the call to rise up as Jerubbaal, warriors of the faith, letting the name of our God be a banner of courage and triumph. We are the ones who cut down the idols, who challenge the darkness and who live unshaken by the threats of the enemy. Through Him who loves us, we stand as victorious champions, demonstrating the power of our God against the gods of this age, confident that no force can prevail against the name of the Lord.
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James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
