“For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”
1 Thessalonians 1:9 

When Mahmud of Ghanzi invaded India, his conquering forces entered a celebrated temple to destroy it. Mahmud was entreated by a priest to spare a certain idol, but he refused. Instead, he rained repeated blows upon it. Suddenly the image burst open, and a stream of precious stones cascaded from its hollow interior. In the same way, for each idol the Christian destroys in his life, he gains more than he loses! Every idol that is demolished brings him new treasures of grace and removes another hindrance to a powerful life of prayer.