Who Will Get Your Worship?
Many Christians don’t see or understand idolatry in our modern culture because our idols are a bit more “sophisticated” than those of Bible times. Idol worship is depicted throughout the Bible as the human obeisance to physical, man-made objects or things in the created world such as the sun, moon, and even the earth itself. This doesn’t really fit into our western, American mindset does it? Look at this biblical description of idols:
“The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. [Idols] have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make [idols] are like them; so is everyone who trusts in and relies on them. Psalm 135:15-18 (AMPC)
Nowadays, we don’t bow to wood, stone, or gold images, do we? But there is still plenty of bowing going on, believe me!
How Do We “Bow”?
We lust, we covet, and we choose to be led by fear or greed. When we feel we can’t do without something (other than God), we have made that “thing” into our “god”, because we’re trusting in it, and not in our loving God. Even Christians can find themselves bowing to things like money, the approval of people, a relationship that we are willing to compromise our convictions for, etc.
We also make idols when we look for comfort and help from sources other than God. What is your source of peace and comfort? Is it being well-liked, having a healthy retirement fund, creature comforts like food or luxurious habits, forms of entertainment, or forms of escapism like romance novels, tv, movies, gaming, etc.? For sure, idolatry did not just go away over time as our culture became more modern; it simply looks a little different! It looks like:
- credit card debt
- cravings for things, money, and power
- trust in man (doctors, pastors, bankers, etc.)
- false comforters such as food, alcohol, unholy relationships, entertainment, and shopping, etc.
Recognizing Idolatry—Where Is Your Gaze?
Are you starting to get the picture? Perhaps you’re already recognizing some idols in your own heart. Friend, Jesus wants to set you free from the trap of idol worship and bring you into victorious living! The enemy of course doesn’t want that and has a ready substitute for us if we let our spiritual gaze wander.
All worldliness is idolatry and listen to what the Bible teaches about worldliness:
“Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]–these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].
And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.” 1 John 2:15-17 (AMPC)
We see clearly in these verses how we can be drawn away from the love of God into idol worship. First of all, it begins with a love or longing for the things of this world, and before we know it, other “loves” crowd out the love for God in our hearts. Secondly, worldliness (idolatry) fits into three categories:
- Lust of the flesh—cravings for sensual gratification
- Lust of the eyes—greedy longings of the mind
- Pride of life—assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things
Thirdly, these “forbidden cravings” work to keep us from the will and purposes of God. This is such a dangerous roadblock to believers that the apostle John dedicated an entire verse to it! He said,
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)–[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be).” 1 John 5:21 (AMPC)
We Are Created For Worship!
We are created for intimacy and deep connection with God. Yet God does not force Himself upon us, does He? No, He calls us, draws us, and even came to earth to die for us…but He leaves the choice to worship up to us. We have to choose to set ourselves apart unto God as His godly worshippers. Did you know that He seeks for true worshippers? Check this out:
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” John 4:23 (NKJV)
Yes, the God of all, who lacks nothing…seeks. He is after your heart! He loves you passionately and is seeking “true worshippers”… So, who will get your worship?
Thanks for hanging out with me for a few minutes! Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing with you some of my teachings and revelations concerning freedom from idolatry, the dangerous effects of idolatry, and taking idols to court. Be sure to join in!
Talk Soon!
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Unfortunately , I have people I know who do bow down before carved idols ( Buddha statues , Wicca worship of earth / women worship ect , saints , Mary !! Even Pope person .. ) idol worship as it sounds is alive and well 🙁 it has been my decades of prayer to open the eyes and hearts . I too worshiped the saints and Mary until Jesus found me. His unconditional love and forgiveness, and grace drove me to leave what was me focused to God focused !!
This is very eye opening. Everybody in the world needs to be taught this especially born again children of GOD.
Very true and very powerful. I had the grace of God to speak as a guest youth speaker in another church and the Lord led me to share this teaching that I had heard from Katie on Faith on Fire 2019. By the Grace of God, the church was really impacted. I praise God for this great revelation that is so important for believers of this day especially among youths who in search for companionship exalt their relationships to dangerous idol status and this is very much the direct cause of youth depression and suicides in the world today. Let’s dethrone our idols in Jesus’ name!
I was looking for inspiration and resources for a bible study I am doing in a treatment center for severely abused girls. I am talking about creating a God to suit yourself, idolatry, namely with them holding on to identities of trans and gay after accepting Jesus. These are coping skills and defense mechanisms they use to protect them from further pain from men. These will only come out by prayer and counselling and the truth of their new identity in Jesus.
I am finding this to be the most difficult of my 30 years of preaching and am also finding myself convicted about my own modern idols, your article only furthered that conviction, thank you. Lord help us all.