The altar is a sacred place, a space set apart for worship, sacrifice, and communion with God. It represents holiness, dedication, and the heart of spiritual life. Yet, even in such sanctified spaces, the adversary—Satan—lurks, seeking to disrupt, deceive, and destroy. This chapter seeks to explore the reality of Satan’s presence near the altar, his tactics, and how believers can stand firm and reclaim the sanctity of worship in their lives.
The Role of the Altar
In biblical times, altars served as places of sacrifice and worship. They were not merely fixtures; they represented a profound connection between the divine and humanity. The altar was where atonement for sin was made, prayers were offered, and covenants with God were sealed.
One of the earliest mentions of an altar is found in Genesis 12:7-8, when Abram built an altar to the Lord:
“And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.”
This establishes that the altar is not just a place; it’s a focal point of divine encounter and commitment. However, it is also a battleground where spiritual warfare occurs.
Biblical Examples of Deception at the Altar
1. Cain and Abel In Genesis 4, we see the hearts of two brothers laid bare through their offerings to God. Abel’s sacrifice was accepted because it was given in faith, whereas Cain’s was not. Instead of humbly seeking to understand why, Cain allowed jealousy and anger to fester:
“And the LORD said unto Cain, Why are you angry? and why is your countenance fallen? If you do well, shall you not be accepted? and if you do not well, sin lies at the door.” (Genesis 4:6-7)
Here, we witness the subtlety of Satan’s influence. Cain’s unwillingness to confront his sin leads him to take Abel’s life, disrupting the communion that should have existed at the altar of sacrifice. The adversary seeks to take advantage of our hearts’ misalignments, pushing us toward anger and division instead of reconciliation.
2. The Israelites and the Golden Calf
In Exodus 32, while Moses was receiving the Law from God, the people grew restless and engineered their own form of worship by creating a golden calf. They built an altar to this idol: “And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 32:4)
Satan’s presence was evident in the idolatry that infiltrated the worship of God. The altar, meant for honoring the one true God, became a site of rebellion and perversion. This emphasizes how easily the sanctity of worship can be compromised when one allows worldly influences to take root.
3. Peter’s Denial
In the New Testament, we see another sobering example of spiritual warfare occurring in a place of prayer. As Peter followed Jesus during His trial, he faced pressure and fear, instigated by Satan. Jesus warned Peter: “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.” (Luke 22:31)
Though Peter eventually denied Jesus, he repented and was later restored. This illustrates that even in the face of intimidation and compromise, the path of return is always available through genuine repentance and grace.
Standing Firm Against the Adversary
Recognizing Satan’s presence at the altar necessitates vigilance and proactive faith. In our spiritual walk, we must apply specific practices to safeguard our worship and communion with God.
1. Prayer and Spiritual Armor
As Paul articulates in Ephesians 6:11-12, we must dress ourselves in the full armor of God: “Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Prayer is our frontline defense against the adversary. By continuously communicating with God, we equip ourselves to identify and resist Satan’s schemes.
2. Pursuing Holiness
The call to holiness is fundamental in turning the focus of worship back to God. Hebrews 12:14 tells us: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
Holiness is vital in maintaining the sanctity of the altar. When we seek to align our lives with God’s righteousness, we create an atmosphere resistant to the attacks of the enemy.
3. Community and Accountability
Lastly, engaging in community with fellow believers fosters an environment of support and accountability. James 5:16 encourages us:
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” This does NOT mean to go to the “confessional” and tell your faults to a priest, who may be a complete stranger to you. It means to go to the person you faulted, tell them what you did, apologize and ask for forgiveness, pray together… i.e. restore the relationship.
By sharing our struggles and praying together, we can fortify one another against the deceitful strategies of Satan.
The altar, while a place of divine encounter, is also where spiritual battles are fought. Satan’s schemes to invade this sacred space require believers to be vigilant, prayerful, and committed to holiness. As we guard our hearts, confront our sins, and lean into community, we reclaim the altar’s sanctity and turn it into a firm foundation for new beginnings.
We need to continually remind ourselves that even when Satan stands on the steps of the altar, we have the authority through Christ to drive him away. We can reclaim that sacred space for worship, sacrifice, and communion with our God, ensuring that our lives reflect His glory rather than yielding to the darkness.
Remember also that in our work to drive Satan away from our Altars we need to keep our wicks trimmed and our lanterns filled with oil. Because THE KING IS COMING SOON! Satan knows this
Revelation 12:12 states: “Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.”