Understanding Altars, Covenants, Patterns, and Strongholds
Altars, covenants, patterns, and strongholds are key to understanding spiritual dynamics and dominion. Altars are spiritual places of agreement—platforms where two parties (human and divine, or human and demonic) enter into covenants.
These covenants lead to repeated behaviors or patterns, which over time establish dominion, forming principalities and powers.
These dominions shape the culture, influencing the mindset and actions of individuals and even entire communities.
For example, salvation through Christ represents an altar built by God. At the cross, Jesus Christ became the ultimate altar of sacrifice. Through His blood, a covenant of grace and reconciliation was established for anyone who believes in Him (Hebrews 9:14-15).
When a person accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior, they agree with this altar and enter into a covenant of righteousness.
This covenant is meant to create new patterns of behavior—holiness, love, and obedience to God—which then establish dominion for Christ in their life.
However, just as altars to God exist, so do altars erected for demonic purposes. These are often formed through sinful agreements, actions, or societal acceptance of ungodly practices.
Applying This Understanding to Freedom
Take the example of someone struggling with a lesbian spirit that was cast out but threatens to return. It’s crucial to recognize that such spirits often gain access through altars and covenants, whether knowingly or unknowingly formed.
These could be past actions, relationships, or even societal influences that allowed the spirit to operate.
When the spirit was cast out, the pattern it created may still linger. These patterns manifest as thoughts, desires, or temptations, which are strongholds—fortified areas in the mind where ungodly thinking persists.
To ensure permanent freedom, these patterns and strongholds must be dismantled.
Dismantling Strongholds
Deliverance involves more than casting out spirits; it requires establishing Christ’s dominion in every area of life. Here are steps to achieve this:
1. Identify the Altars
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any agreements, actions, relationships, or beliefs that created access for the spirit. For example, was there a point where societal acceptance of sin influenced your thoughts or actions?
2. Renounce the Covenant
Declare aloud: “In the name of Jesus Christ, I break every covenant with [name the sin or spirit] and align myself fully with Christ. I stand under the covenant of His blood and declare my freedom.”
3. Replace Patterns with Truth
Renew your mind daily with God’s Word (Romans 12:2). Counter persistent thoughts with scripture. For example, if faced with temptation, declare:
“For sin shall not have dominion over me, for I am not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14).
4. Build and Maintain a Godly Altar
An altar to God is sustained through prayer, worship, obedience, and fellowship. These practices strengthen your covenant with Christ and block re-entry of any demonic influence.
5. Guard Against Culture
Society often glorifies sin, making it seem acceptable or even desirable.
Be vigilant about what you consume—music, media, conversations, and environments, things like social media channels affect and cause this. Replace worldly influences with godly community and accountability.
Final Thoughts
Remember, deliverance is not merely about expelling spirits but about enthroning Christ in every part of your life. This dismantles the cycle of altars, covenants, patterns, and strongholds while resisting the influence of ungodly culture.
As Jesus said:
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36, NKJV).
So, let the Son set you free by first seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit.
He will help you identify and dismantle every altar that opposes God’s dominion, ensuring that your freedom is permanent.
But understand that if you continue to follow the patterns of an old altar you are bound to get the same results.
That is why it is said in Galatians 6:7-8;
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
Righteousness or nothing; Perfection or nothing. Light cannot exist where darkness exists, that’s an abomination.