I’m sure you’re thinking – “Um, NO! and what kind of crazy question is that??” Yeah, me too. I worship the one true God. At least that’s what I say. Do my actions and attitudes line up with my words though? Now, I’m not taking about statues made of gold or even wood. I’m talking about something entirely different. Take a look at this video:
Yup. I’m talking about the invisible kind. The ones that live in our hearts.
Idolatry is defined at something we adore and worship. A god substitute. Tim Keller describes an idol as anything more fundamental than God to your happiness and meaning in life. It is something or someone besides Jesus that has your hearts trust, preoccupation, loyalty, service, fear or delight. What is most important to you? What do you think about in your free time?
The first commandment says, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” God wants our full allegiance. He is GOD after all. Anything else is just a pale substitute to Him.
An idol can be anything. It can be good things that become ultimate things. Idols can be food, comfort, relationships, control, approval – on and on the list goes. It is anything that we try and substitute where God should be. He wants to be our all. He loves us with an everlasting love.
Darlene Sala explains it this way. When we put value on something like artwork there are three criteria in evaluating it’s value.
- Who made it?
- How many are there like it?
- What is someone willing to pay for it?
Think about it. The God of the universe made you unique. There never has been nor ever will be one like you. You are a one of a kind. How much is someone willing to pay for you? God gave His life for you. John 15:13. Judging by those criteria, you are pretty valuable! Can we trust the one who created us so uniquely?
Listen to some verses that show what God wants to be to you:
Phil. 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 6:26 Jesus says, “Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?”
Psalms 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Prov. 18:10 “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
God, Thank you for your everlasting love towards me. I know you are enough – more than enough. May I find you to be all that I need and may the cheap substitutes fall away. Thank you for being trustworthy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Nice video clip with this post. Sports aren’t my idol, but, depending on the day, others creep in. Thank you for putting into words a prayer that speaks to the sin of putting anything before our first love.