No Idols

Let’s talk idols. We all have them. It’s just a matter of: has God revealed yours to you yet?

DEFINITION FOR IDOL (noun) from the Dictionary app:

1. an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed.
2. Bible.
   1. an image of a deity other than God.
   2. the deity itself.
3. any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion.

Number 1: we think we have this down pretty well. We don’t have any golden cows or marble Buddhas. We haven’t set up an altar in our home to any god. You have a TV and that can be an idol. If you have a phone or computer those can become idols. We get so devoted to TV programs and social media that they distract us from God’s will for life.

Number 2 some people get wrong accidentally. Mary and Peter worship is idolatry. Statues of Mary are idols. Statues of other Christians are idols. It’s all sin.

Number 3 we surely have got it right. Well, let me ask you if you are fully devoted to a political candidate. Don’t let them be your God. Follow a pastor or a Bible teacher religiously? They are humans, not God. Follow Him. Even a spouse can be your idol if you are chasing after him or her first. We have to get the order right.

Sometimes material possessions are our God. We have too much stuff. The average American home has over 300,000 items in it and still it’s not enough; more than half have storage units in their backyard or offsite. We are driven to buy especially at this time of year.

In Jesus’ day, things were simpler. People didn’t have an overwhelming abundance of things. So each thing was precious. Are you ready to give up what is precious to you? This passage is from the triumphal entry.

8A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

Matthew 21:8

I missed this verse, but it’s very important. Today, we have a lot of clothes multiple coats. But in those days they had one if they were lucky they had two. Yet they laid them in the ground for God. Are our things our idols? Maybe.

I hope this has been helpful for you dear reader. This list is far from exhaustive. You may want to allow God to show you what your idols are.

Jesus wants to be close to you. He doesn’t want the lines of communication to be cut. Ditch your idols; His presence is better.