Welcome to Chapter 8 of ROW Against the Flow: Finding Yourself at the Altar. This chapter invites you into the sacred space of encountering God—a place of surrender, healing, and transformation. The altar isn’t just a physical location but a spiritual posture where we come as we are, lay down our burdens, and open ourselves to God’s presence and grace.

In this chapter, you’ll discover how the altar serves as a pivotal point in your spiritual journey—a place where honesty with God leads to renewal and deeper freedom. It’s where we recognize our need for God’s mercy, receive His presence afresh, and find the courage to keep walking forward in faith.

Whether you think of the altar as a moment of personal prayer, corporate worship, or daily surrender, this chapter shows how it shapes the rhythms of repentance, obedience, and worship that help us ROW against the flow of life’s challenges.

Let’s Reflect Together

• What does the altar mean to you personally—a place, a moment, or a posture?
• How have you experienced transformation or healing at your place of surrender?
• In what ways can intentionally returning to the altar shape your journey in difficult seasons?
• How does meeting God there empower you to live out the R.O.W. principles daily?

Feel free to share your thoughts or stories. Your experiences enrich our collective journey toward authentic spiritual formation.

What’s Next?

• Continue reading in the full book or download the PDF to explore more chapters.
• Invite others to join you in discussion and reflection.
• Keep engaging with the series as we grow in grace, truth, and freedom together.

Thank you for stepping into the altar space with openness and expectation. May you find renewed strength and hope as you lay your life before God and encounter His transforming love.

Chapter 8: Finding Yourself at the Altar

One of my favorite aspects of ministry is making disciple makers. But most disciples start out as non-disciples, correct? Did I just blow your mind? I think not. It makes sense that people learn to apprentice after Jesus. They start the process and someone needs to help them do that. This Repent Obey Worship framework is a part of learning to follow Jesus.  

There was a particularly memorable experience with Billy, a high school student I was mentoring. Billy had a natural talent for connecting with his peers, and we often found ourselves reaching out to the community together. His friend Bobby caught on to what we were doing and invited some of his friends to a youth group meeting at the park. 

As I got to know Bobby’s friends, I had no idea they would soon provide Billy and me with one of our most intense spiritual warfare experiences. These young men, curious about the supernatural, had been exploring various spiritual practices. One night, I received an urgent call – they were in over their heads with a spiritual encounter. 

Their “research” into contacting the spirit world had led them to attempt a ritual. It wasn’t elaborate – they had simply turned their TV to static and recited a summons for a spirit to join them. But now, they were clearly rattled. Recognizing this as a crucial teaching moment, I immediately called Billy. This would be an opportunity to train him in real-world spiritual warfare. 

When Billy and I arrived at the house, the scene was chaotic. Two usually tough young men were visibly shaken, their voices cracking with fear. One clutched a baseball bat, while an axe leaned ominously against the wall. It was clear that whatever had responded to their summons wasn’t going to be intimidated by physical weapons. 

This scenario brought to mind the words of the Apostle Paul: 

For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards, for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I explained to Billy and the others that in spiritual warfare, we don’t fight with baseball bats or axes, but with truth, faith, and prayer. 

Understanding Idolatry 

Our sin problem is fundamentally a worship problem. It all starts with worshipping something other than God. While we may not bow down to golden statues today, idolatry is still prevalent in our modern world. We all have disordered desires and they lead us to dark places. 

Front of House Idolatry 

Try looking at it this way. We’ve all seen images of golden idol temples somewhere in the world currently active. People lineup and sacrifice to those gods. They give more than they receive and they end up bound to spiritual beings who do not have their best interest in heart. That’s what we’ll call “front of house” idolatry. Front of house idolatry is overt and easily recognizable. It’s like the spirit summoning incident we just encountered. This is the direct approach for picking up spiritual contamination. 

Back of House Idolatry 

I think there is another way into idolatry though. 

We all have disordered desires and there exist spiritual forces that lurk behind our attempts to satisfy those desires. 

It is as if we’ve entered through the back of the temple for the goods on the table not realizing at first that the trap is set. From the “front of house” you knew you were embracing an idol to get what you wanted. Having entered from the “back of house” you’re now in the center of the temple. Here, you’re just looking at the goods on the table that you think will fix you, save you (Money, Sex, Power, etc.). Once they’ve got a hook in us it’s just a matter of reeling us in like a fish. We don’t necessarily know that we are practicing idolatry, but further down the road this becomes an ultimate thing that takes the place of God. If you can’t live without it, or him or her, they have become an idol. I call this “back of house” idolatry which I think is more insidious. 

These disordered desires come from our own upbringing and brokenness because of sin (The Flesh), they are amplified by The World, and The Devil lurks to take advantage as necessary. It stems from our disordered desires, often rooted in our upbringing and brokenness due to sin.  

This form of idolatry doesn’t announce itself. We may not even realize we’re practicing it until it has become an ultimate thing in our lives, taking the place of God. It’s fueled by three primary sources: 

1. The Flesh: Our own sinful nature and brokenness 
2. The World: Cultural influences that amplify our disordered desires 
3. The Devil: Spiritual forces that exploit our vulnerabilities 

Modern Day Idolatry 

In short, an idol is anything we make ultimate above God in our lives. If it exists in your head or your culture without critique it has become an idol. By that I mean you just assume it is correct and don’t bother to contradict it. 

In short, an idol is anything we make ultimate above God in our lives. If something exists in your head or your culture without critique—if you just assume it’s correct and never challenge it—it may have become an idol.

• “Might makes right.” (Mars/Ares)
• “Sexual attractiveness is everything.” (Aphrodite/Venus)
• “Gotta make that money.” (Mammon)
• “If you’re not winning, you’re not trying.” (Apollo)
• “Live for pleasure.” (Dionysus/Bacchus)
• “Get ahead by any means.” (Hermes/Mercury)
• “Sacrifice anything for success, even your children.” (Molech)

Some common forms of modern idolatry include:

• Materialism: Placing ultimate value on possessions and wealth.
• Career success: Defining our worth by our job or achievements.
• Relationships: Looking to others to fulfill needs only God can meet.
• Technology: Allowing devices and social media to consume our time and attention.
• Self: Prioritizing our own desires and comfort above all else.

These idols promise fulfillment but ultimately leave us empty, perpetuating the cycle of sin and separation from God.

Reflection

1. What in your life or culture do you never critique?
2. Where might you be serving an idol without realizing it?

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature… idolatry. — Colossians 3:5

The Weapons of Our Warfare 

As we saw in the incident with Billy and the young men, our battle against idolatry isn’t fought with physical weapons. The baseball bat and axe were useless against spiritual forces. Instead, we need to rely on the spiritual weapons God has given us: 

• Truth: Recognizing and embracing God’s truth about Himself, ourselves, and the world. 
• Faith: Trusting in God’s promises and character, even when circumstances tempt us to doubt. 
• Prayer: Communicating with God and aligning our hearts with His will. 
• The Word of God: Using Scripture to counter lies and temptations. 
• The Holy Spirit: Relying on His power and guidance in our daily lives. 

The Progression of Idolatry 

As Paul describes in Romans 1 (take a minute to look up the passage starting at verse 16), there’s a progression that occurs when we give in to idolatry: 

1. Rejection of God’s revelation 
2. Failure to honor God or give thanks 
3. Darkened thinking 
4. Embracing idolatry 
5. Sexual impurity and unnatural relations 
6. Depraved mind leading to all kinds of wickedness 
7. Approval of evil 

Each step in this progression alienates us further from God, and He may allow us to experience the consequences of our choices as a form of His wrath. This “giving over” state is a serious spiritual condition, but the gospel provides the solution to halt this downward spiral. 

R.O.W. Practice 

Repent: Confess aloud to Jesus any participation in ANY occult practice (Astrology, Tarot Cards, Psychics, Ouija Board, Seances, Oaths in Secret Societies, and Mediums, etc.) in an attempt to know what God has forbidden. This may be controversial, but the basic meaning of Yoga is to yoke. It’s a spiritual clearing house for the demonic. Keep stretching your muscles but understand your physical posture may leave you open for spiritual contamination by way of its design. Invoke your authority in Jesus to break any claims that the spiritual world might have on you. Acknowledge any areas where you’ve given in to idolatry, whether overt or subtle. Turn away from these false gods and towards the true God. 

Obey: Obey the Gospel. King Jesus is Lord. Choose to actively resist idolatry in your life. This might mean setting boundaries with technology, reassessing your priorities, or seeking accountability in areas of weakness. 

Worship: Redirect your worship to God alone. Cultivate practices that help you keep God at the center of your life, such as regular prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. 

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us insight to know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This one is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols. — 1 John 5:20-21

For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. — Romans 1:21-23

“You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water below.You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children to the third and fourth generations of those who reject me,and showing covenant faithfulness to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. — Exodus 20:3-6

Key Takeaways 

• Idolatry can be both overt (“front of house”) and subtle (“back of house”). 
• Modern idolatry often takes the form of materialism, career success, relationships, technology, and self-worship. 
• Spiritual warfare against idolatry requires spiritual weapons, not physical ones. 
• The R.O.W. principle (Repent, Obey, Worship) is an effective tool for combating idolatry. 
• Recognizing and resisting idolatry is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and reliance on God. 

Reflection

1. Can you recall a time when you encountered or participated in “front of house” idolatry? How did it affect your spiritual life? 
2. What are some “back of house” idols that you struggle with in your daily life? How can you start to identify and address these subtle forms of idolatry? 
3. How can you apply the spiritual weapons discussed (truth, faith, prayer, Word of God, Holy Spirit) to combat idolatry in your life? 
4. Think about a recent situation where you may have unknowingly engaged in idolatry. How could applying the R.O.W. principle have helped in that situation? 
5. What practical steps can you take to redirect your worship solely to God and away from modern-day idols? 
6. How can you help others recognize and overcome both overt and subtle forms of idolatry in their lives? 

Action Steps 

1. Conduct a personal inventory to identify potential idols in your life. 
2. Choose one area where you struggle with idolatry and apply the R.O.W. principle this week. 
3. Memorize one of the scripture verses about idolatry to use when facing temptation. 
4. Share what you’ve learned about modern idolatry with a trusted friend or family member. 

Prayer Focus 

Heavenly Father, we come before You, recognizing that we are in the midst of a spiritual battle. We confess the times we’ve handed control of our lives over to the enemy through our choices and actions. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to fully grasp the authority we have in Christ. 

We ask for Your wisdom and discernment to recognize the subtle ways the enemy tries to influence us. Give us the strength to resist his schemes and the courage to stand firm in our faith. 

Lord, we offer ourselves to You as instruments of righteousness. Use us to bring Your light into dark places, Your love into broken relationships, and Your truth into confused minds. Help us to be effective ministers of reconciliation, reflecting Your character in all we do. 

Holy Spirit, guide our thoughts, words, and actions. May we be living testimonies of Your transforming power. We pray for opportunities to share the message of reconciliation with those around us. 

Father, we thank You for the victory that is already ours in Christ. Help us to live in that victory daily, choosing to align ourselves with Your Kingdom of light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Get the Spiritual Formation Series on Amazon

The complete series is available in both Kindle and Paperback editions. Buy on Amazon Available worldwide. Choose your preferred format on the Amazon page.