Taking Back What The Enemy Stole

To lead takes courage.

But the greatest victories are not always fought on battlefields—sometimes the fight is within homes, our hearts, and our communities.

Gideon, son of Joash, was called to fight and the battlefield was right at his own door.

“When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “Pardon me, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”  Judges 6:12-16 NIV

God purposely uses the words “mighty warrior”, speaking directly to the man He was calling Gideon to be. 

Growing up, Gideon heard the stories of God rescuing his people from Egypt. Yet, he was hiding in a cave, doing the work of a commoner, claiming to be the “least” in the “weakest” clan.  

The first battle Gideon faced was not Midian, it was his identity.

Overcoming a false perception of ourselves is the first step in becoming a strong leader. 

God didn’t send Gideon straight into the fight. He called him a warrior before he ever stepped on the battlefield—then told him to tear down the altar in his own home.

“That same night the Lord said to him, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second bull as a burnt offering.” So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the townspeople, he did it at night rather than in the daytime. In the morning when the people of the town got up, there was Baal’s altar, demolished, with the Asherah pole beside it cut down and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar! They asked each other, “Who did this?” When they carefully investigated, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.” The people of the town demanded of Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has broken down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.” But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.” So because Gideon broke down Baal’s altar, they gave him the name Jerub-Baal that day, saying, “Let Baal contend with him.”  Judges‬ ‭6‬:‭25‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So Gideon obeyed—even in fear—bringing tension and conflict among his people.

Before we take ground in the world, we must first take ground in our own lives. 

The second step is an outward declaration—one that is seen and felt. When leaders choose to do what is right in the eyes of God, they tear down false idols and rebuild a place for God to reign—publicly.

Men and women who are willing to follow God break strongholds, confront sin, and stand firm even when it costs them everything. They may stand alone for a moment, but in doing so, they create space for God to move.

Reflect

1. How is your view of yourself holding you back from what God is calling you to?  

2. What idols or strongholds have taken root in your home or heart? 

3. What steps of obedience are you ready to take to break strongholds that keep you from becoming the man or woman God calls you to be?

Prayer

Lord,

Give us courage to tear down the idols in our lives—even the ones we’ve grown comfortable with. Strengthen us to lead in our homes, our communities, and wherever You send us. Remind us that we are not alone—that You are with us, just as You were with Gideon. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Live set apart. Lead with integrity. Point others to Christ.