Like, love or lust? Objects of Worship (idols)

like, love or lust? Objects of worship (idols)

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     How many of you watch American Idol? American Idol is a reality based competition show that has launched the career of many current singers. I don’t watch it because I really don’t like reality shows, I want to escape reality sometimes! Many people watch the show and enjoy it, some are consumed with a lot of these reality based competition shows, literally making them their idol.
          It’s no surprise that they call it American Idol, the creators of the show knew what they were doing using the term idol. There are many definitions to the word idol; Merriam – Webster dictionary.com defines it as:
  1: a representation or symbol of an object of worship; broadly: a false god
  2 a: a likeness of something
     b: obsolete: pretender, impostor
  3: a form or appearance visible but without substance -
    an enchanted phantom, a lifeless idol —P. B. Shelley
  4: an object of extreme devotion: a movie idol; also: ideal 2
  5: a false conception: untruth
          I want you to think about those definitions; are there some idols in your life? Something that you worship, unknowingly or an untruth that you are believing in? An idol can be your job, children, animals, a political party, a movie star, a person, a lifestyle, fervently believing in untruths about God, even you can be your own idol.
When something takes our worship, attention and focus away from God and Jesus that is an idol. Sometimes we may not even realize our idols.
     Here is a test; this can be something to do after you’re done reading this post. Think long and hard about somethings you value in your life. Now see how you feel when you think about not having them or being able to use those things in your life. Do you get a little anxious, does your chest tighten, do you try to justify to yourself why you value those things? Then those are idols in your life. I’m not saying that I don’t have any idols or issues with putting things before God. This is something that we have to intentionally think about doing every day, to put God first.
​     Of course, I know some of you are loving parents and some may have jobs you love, pets, like to go to movies, enjoy interacting on social media, etc. That is perfectly fine! But it’s when we regard and worship these things and people for our happiness, security and other needs is when they become idols. These can’t be your source for those needs. Eventually you will be let down by them one way or another.
    There are many verses in the Bible about idols: Romans 1:25 ESV “Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen” We want to give glory and thanks to God, the maker of all things!
  Leviticus 26:1 ESV “You shall not make idols for yourselves or erect an image or pillar, and you shall not set up a figured stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am the Lord your God.”
The following verse is for those who idol is a false conception or an untruth:
   James 1:26 ESV “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.”
  Mark 8:36 Amplified Bible (AMP) “For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world [with all its pleasures], and forfeit his soul?” If someone strives to accumulate gadgets, money, clothes and other things, be a baller, boss, stepping on other people’s toes, using others to gain things leaving God out of their lives, it costs them their soul as well.  Remember we will all have to come into account with what we did during our lives.
   Some solutions to combat making idols of these things are:

1. Remember to put God first. Giving Him thanks for all the things he has done and blessed us with. Being thankful for our children, job, tv’s, movies, etc. These are gifts. Loving the Lord with all our hearts, soul and minds.
2. Be in the Word daily. Read the Bible before you start your day. A little bit every day is good.
3. Daily, weekly or monthly take the time to be alone with your thoughts. What has been consuming you lately? Have you been focusing on God? What needs to be addressed so you can focus more on God?
4. Have an accountability partner or group. As brothers and sisters in Christ we should be strengthening one another, pointing out to each other in our sin and helping each other to turn into the right direction. A small group, spouse, coworker, etc.

   It is being aware of our thoughts and actions about the things we value in life.
I say this in many of my posts, if you aren’t a follower of Jesus and want to know more about Him, please contact me! Talk to a true Christ follower you may know, go to a Bible believing church, you can even watch sermons on line.
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