Jonathan's Perspective on Idolatry

The topic for this post is idolatry.  At the root of this word is the word idols.  Upon hearing this word, the first thought some of you might have had was of a carving of a man or an animal.  It seems to be something out of a bygone era, when worship of carved images was prevalent across the world.  Idols are mentioned many times in the Old Testament, like this in Psalm 135:15-17.

"The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands.  They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.  They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths."

It doesn't seem relevant to us in modern society, does it?  But in reality, an idol is anything that has the top priority in our lives, other than love for God.

In 2 Corinthians 12:2 of the Message Bible it says
"Remember how you were when you didn’t know God, led from one phony god to another, never knowing what you were doing, just doing it because everybody else did it?"

In today's world there are plenty of phony gods: the pursuit of money, popularity, or anything that feels good.  If a person pursues these things, it is obvious they consider them to be the most important thing in life.  And the sad part is, gaining those things will no more satisfy them than the pointless worship of lifeless idols.

Instead we must heed the words of Samuel in 1 Samuel 12:21. "Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless."

Chasing after empty passions and pursuits only keep us from experiencing the depth of kindness and care God offers to all of humanity.

In the belly of a whale, Jonah learned a very important reality.  “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them."
(Jonah 2:8)

God truly loves us and wants to give us salvation and endless blessings through Jesus.  The pursuit of something other than God will only leave you feeling empty and unfulfilled with nothing of lasting value to show for it.  So, instead surrender to the love of God in the center of which is peace, fulfillment, and rest.

For Christians, the biblical call to abandon idols is even stronger.  The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 6:16, asks: "What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.'"

The Creator of the Universe Himself has agreed to live with and be present with those who receive Him as their Lord and Savior.  This amazing opportunity should not be spoiled by letting our former priorities creep back into the picture.  It is all too easy to let this happen so to combat it will take vigilance on our part.  We must keep our focus on Jesus, who Paul referred to as the "Author and Perfecter of our faith." In practical terms this means starting each day by entering into His presence through prayer and Bible study.   Commit your day to Him, and then read God's Word.  The aid of a daily devotional or Bible reading plan can be a big help. 

Once this becomes an established part of your morning routine, you can more effectively turn away from any potential idols you may encounter during your day.  Keep your eyes on God and remember His love for you is of greater value than anything this world can offer.

I will leave you with this call to action found in 1 Corinthians 10:14. "Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry."