Have you ever worn a bear skin…with the head still on? Or chased someone with a whip, just for fun? Or run in front of stampeding bulls?
These may sound bizarre, but in parts of Europe, they’re cherished traditions. The Bear Dance in Romania. The Easter Whip in the Czech Republic. The Running of the Bulls in Spain.
Traditions have a powerful grip on people. They shape how we live, how we think—and even how we worship.
But have you ever stopped to ask: Are my traditions right? Are they aligned with God’s will?
That’s why we need to talk about the “high places” in the Bible.
What Were the High Places?
In the time of the patriarchs, men like Abraham built altars to worship God wherever they were… in elevated places that felt spiritually significant (Genesis 12:7–8).
But under the Law of Moses, that changed. Worship was no longer to happen “anywhere.” God designated specific places, like the tabernacle and later the temple, where sacrifices were to be made (Deuteronomy 12:1–5; Leviticus 17:3–5).
Why the shift? Because the high places were often associated with idolatry. God wanted His people to completely reject that system…not just by refusing to participate, but by tearing those places down (Deuteronomy 12:2–3).
And yet, even after the temple was built, many Israelites continued to offer sacrifices in high places. They weren’t always worshipping false gods…sometimes they were worshipping God. But they were doing it their own way, not His.
It was convenient. It was familiar. And perhaps, it even felt spiritual. But it wasn’t obedient.
Worship Must Be God’s Way
In Matthew 5, Jesus repeatedly said, “You have heard it said… but I say to you.” He was challenging the way religious leaders had twisted God’s law through manmade traditions. In Matthew 15, He rebuked them for “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”
The same thing happens today.
People add to or subtract from God’s word. Some teach that baptism isn’t necessary. Others say obedience doesn’t matter once you’re saved. Still others change worship to include entertainment or emotional manipulation…because it “feels good” or “draws a crowd.” But sincerity doesn’t equal truth. And time doesn’t make error right.
What matters is God’s will. We need to ask: Is this authorized by Scripture—or just something I’ve always done?
Dispensations Matter
Why was it okay for Abraham to worship anywhere, but not for Israel?
Because they lived under different covenants. Abraham lived under the Patriarchal system; Israel was under the Mosaic Law. Christians today live under the law of Christ (Colossians 2:16–17).
Under Christ, we don’t keep Sabbath laws. We don’t offer animal sacrifices. We don’t burn incense or use instruments in worship just because David did. Those practices belonged to a system that no longer saves.
Just as high places were once allowed and later forbidden, God’s expectations for worship have changed over time. But within each covenant, God’s people were expected to obey His revealed will…no more, no less.
Influence Is a Real Danger
Deuteronomy 12:2 warns against adopting the religious habits of the nations around Israel. God knew how easy it would be to be negatively influenced…to adopt foreign altars and foreign ideas.
That’s a timely warning.
Today, many churches adopt unscriptural practices because they’re popular, emotional, or “seem effective.” Some congregations even outsource evangelism to megachurches or create entertainment-based services because “it works.” But what works isn’t always what’s right.
Uzzah thought he was helping when he reached out to steady the ark of God (2 Samuel 6). But he died—not just because he touched it, but because it shouldn’t have been on a cart in the first place (1 Samuel 6:7–8). That method came from the Philistines…not from God.
The lesson? Good intentions don’t excuse bad methods. We must prioritize instruction over innovation.
Old Habits Die Hard
Even good kings in Judah, like Asa and Jehoshaphat, left the high places intact (1 Kings 15:14; 22:43). Scripture praises their hearts…but notes their failure to fully obey.
Only Hezekiah and Josiah tore the high places down completely (2 Kings 18:4; 23:8–9). That’s six hundred years after God first gave the command.
What does that tell us? Traditions, once embedded, are hard to break. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.
What traditions in your life have lingered long past their expiration date?
Application: What Are Your High Places?
We all have them.
Maybe it’s the way we were raised. Or the kind of church we’re used to. Or a belief handed down by a preacher, parent, or popular author. But if it contradicts God’s word…will we be honest enough to change?
This matters for us. And it matters for our children. When we tolerate small compromises in our homes or churches, we make it harder to correct them later.
Maybe your high place is a tradition you’ve never questioned: calling the preacher “pastor,” organizing a church choir, adding instruments to worship, or using man-made creeds. Maybe it’s something smaller…like skipping the Lord’s Supper on vacation, or treating Sunday worship as optional.
Or maybe it’s not a practice at all. Maybe it’s a mindset: pride, comfort, people-pleasing. Mindsets like these may not seem like false worship…but they keep us from submission.
They make it easy to justify disobedience or dismiss the need for change. Anything that keeps us from full obedience is a high place in disguise.
Let’s not wait six hundred years to fix it. Let’s tear it down now.
Conclusion: God Deserves Better
The Israelites let high places linger. Even when they meant well, they worshipped in ways God never authorized. Are we doing the same?
God is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Not just with good intentions, but with open Bibles, honest minds, and willing hearts. Because worship that isn’t rooted in truth isn’t pleasing to God…no matter how heartfelt it feels.
Let’s be honest.
Let’s be brave.
Let’s be biblical.
Because God doesn’t just deserve our passion…He deserves our obedience.
Let’s tear down the high places.
