Title : Idolatry
Scripture : Exodus 20:3-5
Date : November 20, 2008
Last Updated : N/A
Exodus 20:3-5
"You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods."
"Idolatry is usually defined as worship of any cult image, idea, or object, as opposed to the worship of a monotheistic God."- Wikipedia
School, money, boyfriends, girlfriends, jobs, clubbing, fashion, idols, music, etc. A lot of times we can find ourselves making these and many other things our top priority, at the top of our list, the one thing on our minds, the one thing we pursuit and a lot of times, we tend to put them before God. Any time we place something or someone above God, before God, more important than God, and even love them more than we love God, we are committing idolatry (do not confuse this word with adultery). Though we might not really notice it, subconsciously, we are worshipping these 'false gods', also known as idols.
First of all, worshipping a false god degrades us. We were made in the image of the true and living God and we were made to be like Him. When we worship an idol, a lesser god, we are aiming much lower. In Psalm 115:8, it says, "Everyone who made the idols and all who trust them are just as helpless as those useless gods. " We become just like them and we come to resemble what we worship. Thus, worshipping that favourite music artist of ours, that popular person at school or work, our money, our popularity, our video games, our jobs, whatever it may be, we become just like them. Or, we can worship the almighty, loving and perfect God and we could be more like Him.
Before I am misunderstood, let me clear up two things. First, I am not saying that we can't love anything or anybody other than God. It is possible that we can have a passion for arts, music, hobbies, our jobs and friends and family. The real danger is when we place them before God; when we love them more than we love God. Another thing is, when I say that by worshipping God we become more like God, I don't mean we become God with His Almighty power, with the right to judge others and save others. I mean that we resemble God, we develop His Character, we think like God, we love others as God loves, we forgive others as God forgives, we become Christ-minded, humble and loving.
Coming to my second point, idol worshipping also steals from God. When our love for something or someone is greater than our love for God, we rob Him of the worship and loyalty that belongs to him. Exodus 20:24 tells us not to make idols of any kind. For the Lord our God is a jealous God. He alone is worth our love, trust, worship and obedience.
Cease from committing idolatry. Give your all and your devotion to the one true God, who loved you enough to send Jesus to die for you; worship Him alone because those whom we "worship" now, would they ever lay down their lives for us? Would they ever die for us? Can they deliver us from death to life?
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