THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Once those enlightened individuals attain a mindset and a steadfastness in discernment that allows them to understand the singular nature of God, they will disdain any alternative beliefs and readily oppose idols, dismantling shrines and deeming Hellenic temples as insignificant. The ancient texts affirm this teaching. The book of Numbers states: “And the Lord spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, against Jericho, saying, Declare unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye have crossed over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, drive away from you all the inhabitants of the land, and destroy all their images, and all their cast idols shall be destroyed, and all their heights shall be destroyed.”
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It is important to notice that those who crossed the Jordan were instructed to obliterate the altars and sacred groves, and to erase the idols and temples completely. Showing compassion towards such harmful things would demonstrate a lack of steadfastness and an impure commitment to God. The Scriptures clearly express concerning the unrighteous: “then thou shalt not worship their gods, nor serve them, nor imitate their works, but shatter them, and destroy their pillars: serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread … and your water; and I will turn away sickness from you. There shall not be born prematurely, nor barren in thy land; I will make the number of thy days full” (Exodus 23:24-26).
Therefore, it is evident that for those who are firmly anchored in their faith and reason, willingly surrendering to the Almighty, and who also take care to demonstrate their commitment through the eradication of the altars, shrines, and idols of the misguided, such actions will ultimately result in receiving divine blessings.