Idolatry
“…They are their own witnesses; they neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed. Who would form a god or mold an image that profits him nothing?” Isaiah 44:9-10.
This week in many of our Latin American and European countries we can see numerous processions of people around images and statues of plaster, wood and metal; some carrying them along the way, and others worshipping them with their songs and praying to them. Here in the U.S., they are not common, however, in some cities with larger Hispanic population, like Miami, Chicago and L.A., it is possible to see similar scenes.
I wonder what comes to your mind as you are reading this article.
As Christians, our stand against idolatry should be to flee from it, just like Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:14 – “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” – but, what does it mean to flee from idolatry?
I would say that, by biblical definition, Idolatry is not limited to physical statues; it is anything loved, trusted, or treasured more than God. W. E. Vine comments in his expository dictionary of New Testament words that – “An idolater is a slave to the depraved ideas his idols represent” – and makes reference to Galatians 4:8-9 that says: “But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?”
Idolatry is a “heart issue” that often misdirects devotion. Idolatry starts in our hearts: craving, wanting, enjoying, being satisfied by anything that we treasure more than God.
Do You Have IDOLS in Your Life?
1 John 5:21 says: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
Let us not forget how easy it is for us to get distracted by all sorts of things nowadays. I am pretty sure it was not very different for our first brothers and sisters within the New Testament churches; sin has always been out there, temptations circulate at all speed without paying attention to whether it is past or present time and we, in this flesh, are capable of making our own idols at any moment, aren’t we?
God commands we worship him alone: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Deuteronomy 5:7), and for what we know, idolatry is contrary to this command.
How do you make sure that you are worshipping God alone? You need to:
- Agree with God’s commandment of exclusive worship to him.
- Commit that you won’t allow anything or anybody else but God to sit in the throne of your heart.
- Immediately identify modern idols such as comfort, approval, money or success, relationships or activities; renounce to them and intentionally redirect worship to the Lord.
- Acknowledge that idols are incapable of saving or giving back to their worshippers, unlike the relational and living God.
- And pray for those around you who are still in slavery under idolatry.
Let me encourage you to regularly examine your heart to ensure God holds the supreme place in your life and use this week to meditate on the importance of keeping yourself away from idolatry; if you registered for our Passover Seder, take a moment to accordingly prepare the hearts of your family. When coming to Good Friday & Easter Sunday services, do not think of them as a religious thing to do but as an expression of devotion to God alone.
In the love of Christ,
Pastor Joe
Categories: Evergreen Connection