These idols form the obstacle that impedeth man in his efforts to advance in the path of perfection.

Arise, O people, and, by the power of God’s might, resolve to gain the victory over your own selves, that haply the whole earth may be freed and sanctified from its servitude to the gods of its idle fancies—gods that have inflicted such loss upon, and are responsible for the misery of, their wretched worshipers. These idols form the obstacle that impedeth man in his efforts to advance in the path of perfection.

https://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/GWB/gwb-43.html