— To uplift, inform and challenge —

Dear believer,

Pain from the “blame game” is all too familiar with those who’ve been its victims.  It’s also doubtful any are guilt-free of blaming others for one thing or another.  It’s easier to cite external sources for our errors, failings or problems, than to consider ourselves at fault.  The spiritually aware also have a multitude of invisible scapegoats for failings (er, “sins” if I dare invoke the three-letter word so early on).

It’s axiomatic that we’re often our own worst enemy. Therefore, a periodic self-sin search, illumined by the lamp of the Word, can be profitable.  It might reveal the cause of failings or stunted spiritual growth to be hidden altars of the mind; unrecognized ‘high places.’  It is our prayer the Holy Spirit will use this article to help you progress in your walk with God.

Our High Places

What we have NOT done can bedevil us.

"[Asa] put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that [was] before the porch of the LORD ... But the HIGH PLACES were not taken away out of Israel." — 2Chron 15:8b,17a

With self-righteous chins held high and outstretched arm’s rigid index digit pointing to a supposed enemy, we need be reminded that the remaining three fingers point back to us.  In other words, as we stand accusing the devil or others for our distress, we could be that “enemy.”  Indeed, our life in Christ might well be impeded by something we have NOT done.

At the risk of discomfiture, the Comforter would have us be as courageous as King Asa, but as thorough as Christ in dealing with our own “high places.”

O.T. High Places

Ninety times the KJ Bible refers to “high places” and generally, as more than merely elevated terrain.  God Himself makes their first mention: “I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.” Whoa!  This was right on the heels of Him declaring: "Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up [any] image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God" (Lev 26:30,1).

Wouldn’t you just think any of us with an IQ of 60+ and a dime’s worth of godly fear would keep a wide berth from idols and high places?  OF COURSE our sanctified spirits and minds snap to attention: “Yes Sir!” But ... enter our fallen natures (drum roll) and all bets are off.  However, supposing a person is smart; I mean really wise ... like King Solomon.  Surely he would know better.  Right?  Let’s see what the Bible says: "Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places" (1Ki 3:3).  Wow!  Can you believe it?

Well, maybe for all his wisdom, Sol just wasn’t “spiritual” enough ... like Paul.  Resisting sinful desires of the flesh was probably a piece of pastry for the apostle.  Let’s see: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do NOT do, but what I hate, I do ... What a wretched man I am!" (Rom 7:15).  Gulp!  Now ... we’re not suggesting Paul went to the “high places” of Solomon and others.  We just want you to see that scripture makes clear, of ourselves, regardless of how wise or spiritual — we cannot win this battle.  "For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" (2Cor 10:4).  The reason this dilemma doesn’t make sense is because it’s spiritually rooted ... not intellectual.

The high places God so vehemently denounced and warns of were literal centers of pagan worship built on hilltops and surrounded by groves of trees.  Every time we see “groves” in the KJ Bible, it refers to these abhorrent dens of iniquity where trees screened from view, the vile activity of Israel’s idolatrous worship: burning sacrificial babies, ungodly sexual activity, etc. (2Ki 17:9-11; Jer 19:5; etc.).

The nub of divine ire is that God’s people would worship any thing but Himself — no less man-made idols.  Reflect on what heads His list of ten commandments: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God" (Ex 20:3-5a).   Phew!  WHO but the blind or deaf could misconstrue that?  Yet, there are two other excuses: ignorance and disobedience — neither of which will defend us against God dealings.

N.T. High Places

First, let’s be clear that contemporary “high places” can be as tangible as those of old.  Like King Solomon, a believer might be “walking in the statutes” but on the sly, living in physical sin.  As commonplace as that is today, even more dangerous are our invisible “high places.”  That they cannot as easily be detected by those who might call us to account, increases their danger.  Vastly more frightening is the fact that, even we might not perceive them.

Invisible high places could be defined as those secret locations in the mind where we, in a sense, “worship” something other than God.  In all likelihood, for a person “walking in the statutes,” these would not seem to be ungodly addresses.  In fact, our devilishly devious minds take care to construct these unseen altars within the pale of biblical orthodoxy (in view of today’s compromise, that provides a lot of turf).  These high places can then become invisible to “worshippers” and therefore more difficult to expose and pull down.

I.e.: one might be “walking in the statutes” and even be an avid “prayer warrior.”  Their outward life is beyond refute and the church, acknowledging their ministry and perceived humbleness, endorses them with a good report.  However, secretly ... possibly even unknown to themselves, praying is their badge of distinction.  In truth, they might be worshipping at an idolatrous altar; a religion within a religion where pride nakedly parades behind trees.  A high place.

In this invisible realm are also those who freely give of their substance.  Pray tell, who but the devil could fault generosity?  But supposing, they, in part and unconsciously, do so to assuage guilt, project influence or, for license to indulge themselves materially?  In their minds, they could justifiably live and worship at a richly adorned altar of self accomplishment — to the applause of  beneficiaries.  A high place.

How about those with a perverted perception of grace who believe their promiscuous thinking is within the pale?  “After all,” they reason, “I actualize nothing but godly behavior.”  Sadly, a seared conscience accompanies their rendezvous with lasciviousness within the trees, where they wantonly sacrifice to other gods.  An unseen high place.

Yet other saints are so loving, giving, prayerful, studious and straight, but reject ALL corporate accountability.  “Secured” by self righteousness, it’s doubtful they themselves are aware of the problem.  They are walking dichotomies who secretly pay first homage at the altar of self, in a tree-hid and mirror-lined high place.

Regardless of how godly, righteous or reforming were Israel’s kings, they all stopped short of pulling down high places.  This led to their being removed from the land as captives.  Perhaps this has been recorded as an “ensample” for us (2Pet 2:6)?  Do we too need be disciplined before we search out and pull down high places that offend our holy God?  Are we willing to settle for appearances and applause of others — while secretly worshipping at invisible high places? Are we willing to risk alienating the very Savior our our souls?!

There are as many invisible groves and high places, as hearts not fully submitted to God.

The only hope for victory in this arena is the supranatural power are three means of God’s grace: His Word, Spirit and prayer.  The apostle Paul reminds even the most pious: "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" (Eph 6:12).  Whether demonic or of our own design, high places need to come down.  Let’s petition as did the psalmist: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts" (Ps 139:23).

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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