IDOLATRY
Happy new year to you beloved. I welcome you into our year of UNUSUAL GLORY. Our year of super natural manifestation of God’s glory. May the supernatural be a regular occurrence in your life this year in Jesus name.
To walk in the unusual we have to do things unusual. We have to leave the norms and pattern we’ve been living and functioning by for this awesome glory of God this year to be revealed. Hence this exhortation. Most people today who have any concept of idolatry probably think of pagan bowing down and worshipping a strange-looking idol, a carved image or stature. That’s part of what idolatry means, but since most of us don’t do that, how do God’s command against idolatry apply to us believers now?
The Apostle Paul provided us with a modern application of idolatry in the middle of a sentence in his letter to the Colossians. Colossians 3:5 says, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” So idolatry is not compulsorily a statue, carving or painting. What then is idolatry? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, idolatry means the worship of a physical object as a god; an immaculate attachment or devotion to something. An idol is anything we want more than God, anything we rely on more than God, and anything we look to for greater fulfillment than God. Idolatry is the hidden sin driving all other sins.
Romans 1:22-25 says, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. And changed the glory of the uncoruptible God into an image like the corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beast, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lust of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the creator, who is blessed for ever Amen.” The reason that many of us aren’t acknowledging the idols in our lives is due primarily to the fact that we have an incorrect definition and image of what idolatry truly is.
We may not literally bow down to statues but we do obsess about things we want to own or accomplish to a point that we start worshipping them instead of God. Relationships, grades, Television, jobs, sport, possessions, food etc. All of these things have the potential of taking the number one spot in our lives if we aren’t careful. You will be surprised that believers idolize their bellies to God. They prefer giving more priority to their belly rather than God. (Philippians 3:18-19). These are such that makes statements like “I no fit go die because of fasting.” They can’t commit themselves to such exercise because in the process of time they have given their bellies all the love and attention it wanted. Some others are phones and television programs. It is so sad when you think about it. Believers will worship their cell phones. They can spend all day with their phones browsing the internet and surfing through all the social media. Giving massively on daily basis hours upon hours to their phones but never to God’s Word or to God in prayers. Believers sitting down for hours upon hours on television programmes and gradually tilting to become the character of whom they watch and what they watch. Mind you these programs are not edifying, neither do they reflect the beauty and awesome person of God.
Beloved, unawares to you it has become an idol and you have to deal with it. Others are latest fashion and designer handbags. They can give all to be simply up to date on the latest fashion trend but never give to be up to date in the kingdom of God. Gadgets and clothing styles are often obsolete within weeks or months of purchase but God is eternal.
Some of the most talented singers began in their church choir but then leave their faith to pursue fame and money. They start worshipping not only money, but also themselves. There is nothing wrong in pursuing a high profile career, but when we pursue sporting, academics or material achievements to bring ourselves glory rather than God then that is idolatry. Philippians 3:20 says, For our conversation (transaction, operation, communication) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” It took only forty days from when Moses went to talk with God on mount Sinai for the Israelites to fall into idolatry. Even after witnessing the miracles that freed them out of Egypt, they demanded that Aaron make a new god for them to worship (Exodus 32). We can think: How is that possible after they’d so strongly experienced God’s goodness? As long as they were faithful to serving God things went well for Israel. As soon as they turned to idolatry things started to go seriously downhill. Even smaller, more harmless things can twist our attention away from God. It can be very easy to get completely wrapped up in earthly matters. One can chat with friends for hours about worldly things but ask him about God’s Word and he is empty. As dry as a desert.
Colossians 3:1-2 says, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” As believers we must ensure we give utmost priority to things above if we must succeed. God’s original command against idolatry is still in effect today as it is written in Exodus 20:5, “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God…” God makes it plain we must put Him first and there are no exceptions. If God doesn’t come first in our lives, something else does. As Christians, God’s first two commandments tells us that we can’t allow idolatry into our lives.
Take a look back at your past weeks, months and years and ask yourself, Where were my thoughts? What was I busy with? The biggest idol in our lives is the one that looks us right in the mirror each and every morning. Our thoughts naturally go in one pattern, me, me, and me. James 1:8 says that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Even if we begin with a pure desire to serve God alone, this determination can drift away if we allow ourselves to be distracted by earthly idols, instead of seeking the things above. This determination is something worth fighting to hold on to. We will find that, just as the days of the Israelites, God richly blesses a faithful singleness of purpose.
The LORD has said “IT IS OUR YEAR OF UNUSUAL GLORY,” if we must see the unusual, we must focus on the unusual God. Let us fix our vision firmly on the eternal and we will experience God’s glory and power in our lives. May God richly bless you.
See you next month.
To walk in the unusual we have to do things unusual. We have to leave the norms and pattern we’ve been living and functioning by for this awesome glory of God this year to be revealed. Hence this exhortation. Most people today who have any concept of idolatry probably think of pagan bowing down and worshipping a strange-looking idol, a carved image or stature. That’s part of what idolatry means, but since most of us don’t do that, how do God’s command against idolatry apply to us believers now?
The Apostle Paul provided us with a modern application of idolatry in the middle of a sentence in his letter to the Colossians. Colossians 3:5 says, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” So idolatry is not compulsorily a statue, carving or painting. What then is idolatry? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, idolatry means the worship of a physical object as a god; an immaculate attachment or devotion to something. An idol is anything we want more than God, anything we rely on more than God, and anything we look to for greater fulfillment than God. Idolatry is the hidden sin driving all other sins.
Romans 1:22-25 says, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. And changed the glory of the uncoruptible God into an image like the corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beast, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lust of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the creator, who is blessed for ever Amen.” The reason that many of us aren’t acknowledging the idols in our lives is due primarily to the fact that we have an incorrect definition and image of what idolatry truly is.
We may not literally bow down to statues but we do obsess about things we want to own or accomplish to a point that we start worshipping them instead of God. Relationships, grades, Television, jobs, sport, possessions, food etc. All of these things have the potential of taking the number one spot in our lives if we aren’t careful. You will be surprised that believers idolize their bellies to God. They prefer giving more priority to their belly rather than God. (Philippians 3:18-19). These are such that makes statements like “I no fit go die because of fasting.” They can’t commit themselves to such exercise because in the process of time they have given their bellies all the love and attention it wanted. Some others are phones and television programs. It is so sad when you think about it. Believers will worship their cell phones. They can spend all day with their phones browsing the internet and surfing through all the social media. Giving massively on daily basis hours upon hours to their phones but never to God’s Word or to God in prayers. Believers sitting down for hours upon hours on television programmes and gradually tilting to become the character of whom they watch and what they watch. Mind you these programs are not edifying, neither do they reflect the beauty and awesome person of God.
Beloved, unawares to you it has become an idol and you have to deal with it. Others are latest fashion and designer handbags. They can give all to be simply up to date on the latest fashion trend but never give to be up to date in the kingdom of God. Gadgets and clothing styles are often obsolete within weeks or months of purchase but God is eternal.
Some of the most talented singers began in their church choir but then leave their faith to pursue fame and money. They start worshipping not only money, but also themselves. There is nothing wrong in pursuing a high profile career, but when we pursue sporting, academics or material achievements to bring ourselves glory rather than God then that is idolatry. Philippians 3:20 says, For our conversation (transaction, operation, communication) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” It took only forty days from when Moses went to talk with God on mount Sinai for the Israelites to fall into idolatry. Even after witnessing the miracles that freed them out of Egypt, they demanded that Aaron make a new god for them to worship (Exodus 32). We can think: How is that possible after they’d so strongly experienced God’s goodness? As long as they were faithful to serving God things went well for Israel. As soon as they turned to idolatry things started to go seriously downhill. Even smaller, more harmless things can twist our attention away from God. It can be very easy to get completely wrapped up in earthly matters. One can chat with friends for hours about worldly things but ask him about God’s Word and he is empty. As dry as a desert.
Colossians 3:1-2 says, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” As believers we must ensure we give utmost priority to things above if we must succeed. God’s original command against idolatry is still in effect today as it is written in Exodus 20:5, “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God…” God makes it plain we must put Him first and there are no exceptions. If God doesn’t come first in our lives, something else does. As Christians, God’s first two commandments tells us that we can’t allow idolatry into our lives.
Take a look back at your past weeks, months and years and ask yourself, Where were my thoughts? What was I busy with? The biggest idol in our lives is the one that looks us right in the mirror each and every morning. Our thoughts naturally go in one pattern, me, me, and me. James 1:8 says that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Even if we begin with a pure desire to serve God alone, this determination can drift away if we allow ourselves to be distracted by earthly idols, instead of seeking the things above. This determination is something worth fighting to hold on to. We will find that, just as the days of the Israelites, God richly blesses a faithful singleness of purpose.
The LORD has said “IT IS OUR YEAR OF UNUSUAL GLORY,” if we must see the unusual, we must focus on the unusual God. Let us fix our vision firmly on the eternal and we will experience God’s glory and power in our lives. May God richly bless you.
See you next month.
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