Idol worship. It conjures up images of scary-looking statues made of wood or metal. It may make us think of Eastern religions and sacrifices. And while those thoughts are valid and real – more often the idols in our lives look completely different.
We read about idol worship in the Old Testament. In fact, the First Commandment states, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).
It was and is important to the Lord. Idol worship did and still does detract from the glory of the One True God. And he will not share his glory with anyone or anything else (Isaiah 42:8).
The Israelites, after Moses had gone up the mountain to meet with God, told Aaron to make them a golden calf. Moses had been gone for quite some time. They had come from a land where the gods were visible and tangible images to worship. So, Aaron did it and they worshipped the calf. Again and again, we see over the course of time, that Israel repeatedly fell into idol worship like the nations around them. Ultimately, they would be exiled as a result of it.
As Christians, saved by grace through faith, we are still called and commanded to worship the One True God. We submit our lives to the Lordship of Christ alone. We were created to worship him and him alone. But in our sin, which still dwells in us, we often bow in worship to other gods.
An idol is anything that we place ahead of God in our life. For some, their idol is inherently sinful – pornography, drugs, or greed. Yet for many, it may be things that are not sinful in and of themselves. Perhaps it is security, comfort, television, social media, your spouse, your children, your career, or even yourself.
What we spend most of our time, money, and energy, and talk about the most can and usually does point to that which we worship.
So, what do you worship? What do you spend most of your time thinking and talking about? What do you seek more than you seek for the Lord? Prayerfully ask the Lord to reveal these things to you. Repent of idolatry and commit your heart to seek Him first in all things. He has given us good gifts to enjoy in this life. But our joy is not rooted in the gifts but in the Giver.
Remember dear sister, God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). In Christ, “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). But these things are not a license to continue in idolatry. Pray for conviction and repentance.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21)