Last week we spent a few minutes talking about the sin of pride. This week I really want to spend some time talking about another sin that goes unnoticed and that is idolatry. The definition of Idolatry is the worship of idols or excessive devotion to, or reverence for some person or thing.
The scriptures are adamantly against idolatry, and the reason is because it simply puts something else in the place of our God. Since the beginning, God’s covenant with Israel was based on worshiping Him and Him Alone. Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me”. God’s holiness is so powerful that he doesn’t even want us saying the names of false gods. Exodus 23:13 “Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips”. We must be careful that we respect and reverence our Holy God at all times. Unfortunately the Old Testament shows us time after time of how the Israelites went back worshipping false gods. They were stuck in a pattern of idol worship, punishment, restoration and forgiveness, followed by a return to idolatry, and the cycle would start back over.
The most prevalent form of idolatry in Bible times was the worship of images and statues. We must ask ourselves how idolatry plays out in modern times. Well most people do not bow physically before a statue. It is my experience that idolatry is a matter of the heart. It’s shown when we succumb to Pride, self-centeredness, greed, materialism, gluttony, and dependence on a man or woman (Boo Lovin).
We could spend hours on this topic but because of time I want to focus on two of these forms of idolatry. “Materialism” and “Gluttony”!
Worshiping materialistic stuff is a very common form of idolatry. People want the newest items, clothes, gadget, cars, homes, and not to mention all of the stuff that goes in a home. My wife and I just purchased our first house and in purchasing the house we realized that we needed stuff to go in the house. So we bought a flat screen and a few pieces of furniture and quickly realized that our rush to fill the house could become a form of idolatry. My wife said to me one night going to bed we have spent a lot of money on stuff but have we helped anyone else? This question rung in my spirit for the whole week. When you worship materials it keeps the focus on you and not God. Indulging in our materialistic desires is Satan’s trap to keep our focus on ourselves.
Now let us talk about a less noticeable form of idolatry called Gluttony. This is a form of idolatry that I struggle with. Anyone that knows me knows I love to EAT, but if we are going to line ourselves up with the Word of God, then gluttony is not acceptable. Gluttony is simply a desire to consume more than that which one requires. Gluttony is one of those sins that I have ignored for years and I’m sure many others have also. We are often quick to label smoking and drinking as sins, but for some reason gluttony is accepted or at least tolerated. We must view gluttony as a habit that must be broken. If we are unable to control our eating habits, we are probably also unable to control other habits. Did you know Proverbs 23:2 says “Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony?” That’s one of those scriptures that makes you scratch your head. I heard someone say the other day that people that give in to gluttony dig them selves a grave with there teeth. The bottom line is nothing should control us but our Father in Heaven.
So as we are ending today’s blog I encourage you to pray that God would reveal the areas where other things are before God. Our hearts and minds must be centered on God and on others. This is why when asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” Matt 22:7. When we love the Lord and others with everything that is in us, there will be no room in our hearts for idolatry.
Thanks for checking out Wattsfactory Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment