When we think of idols, we probably imagine some wooden and/or metallic figure in the shape of a person or animal. We think of the golden calf. Imagining a group of people worshiping a wooden icon - possibly even dancing around it. We also may suppose this would occur in other countries or places untouched by Christianity.
Idols come in all shapes and sizes. A majority of the time they aren't even physical objects. We can assume that because we don't own a physical object that resembles a "god", that we are not potentially worshipping any idols.
"You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God..." Exodus 20: 3-5a
God is pretty clear here regarding idol worship. There is an acknowledgement of other gods, but we are not to place them anywhere above God. There is the mention of making ourselves an image in the form of anything to worship. It does not imply man-made objects necessarily (although that can be the case). It just says we can't make for ourselves any images to worship. That can be a wide variety of things.
Anything that takes our focus off of worshiping God can became an idol. We assume it has to be something bad and innately harmful. Even things which are good for us can become idols and take our eyes off of God. Such things like success, work, money, and family can become idols in our lives. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of them. Yet, where we place them in our lives and hearts can make them idols. If any of them becomes our primary focus, and our lives are spent trying to attain them, we can miss out on God. Our worship becomes focused on the material, which can provide a short-term benefit, but will ultimately fail us.
This is because these resources and goods are finite. They have a certain amount of time where they are fulfilling until we want more. You might be OK financially, but if your idol is money, at some point you might want more. Your position at work. Maybe, you can achieve the job you want, but if that is your idol, at some point you could become dissatisfied and want more. Family can become your total focus, and if in your eyes you become disappointed in one of your family, you can become disappointed and disenchanted with life.
As I said, none of it is wrong in and of itself. Money is not a bad thing to have, it's very useful. Working at a job you are content and happy with is a wonderful thing. Taking care of and loving your family is something to strive for. The question becomes is who or what resides on the throne of your heart. Myself, my possessions, or God?
We are pretty good at putting ourselves on the throne. We look in the mirror and see someone who agrees with every one of our heart's desires. Not a lot of accountability or discipline or even spiritual growth when you make yourself the god of your life. It becomes a very self-centered worship where all that matters is what affects you personally, and possibly by extension, those closest to you. When the going gets tough, we turn inwards in the hopes of protecting ourselves. But, like the man trying to climb out of quicksand, our own efforts avail us naught, and we become even more trapped.
Our possessions can age, rust, and become broken. As the saying goes "you can't take it with you". You can have all the money in the world, but if you lose your soul - what have you gained? We take the blessings from God and turn them into god. Sometimes, it's simpler that way, as we feel ownership for them - like our efforts gained us those. Our wealth - I earned that. My work - I made that. We use the gifts God has blessed us with to create our gods of smoke and mirrors.
Whereas, if our focus is on God and God alone - we gain the better perspective for our lives. We are not guaranteed on this Earth that everything will be great if we believe. When God is the ruler of your life, there is a calm, that cannot be replicated by our earthly treasures. Our own means and treasures will eventually buckle by the weights of this world on our lives. They will bend and break, but God will not. Our treasures get exhausted, God is inexhaustible. Unlike our treasures which can become unfulfilling at some point, God will always fulfill us. The treasure we gather will go up in smoke. God, however, will not.
Idols come in all shapes and sizes. A majority of the time they aren't even physical objects. We can assume that because we don't own a physical object that resembles a "god", that we are not potentially worshipping any idols.
"You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God..." Exodus 20: 3-5a
God is pretty clear here regarding idol worship. There is an acknowledgement of other gods, but we are not to place them anywhere above God. There is the mention of making ourselves an image in the form of anything to worship. It does not imply man-made objects necessarily (although that can be the case). It just says we can't make for ourselves any images to worship. That can be a wide variety of things.
Anything that takes our focus off of worshiping God can became an idol. We assume it has to be something bad and innately harmful. Even things which are good for us can become idols and take our eyes off of God. Such things like success, work, money, and family can become idols in our lives. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of them. Yet, where we place them in our lives and hearts can make them idols. If any of them becomes our primary focus, and our lives are spent trying to attain them, we can miss out on God. Our worship becomes focused on the material, which can provide a short-term benefit, but will ultimately fail us.
This is because these resources and goods are finite. They have a certain amount of time where they are fulfilling until we want more. You might be OK financially, but if your idol is money, at some point you might want more. Your position at work. Maybe, you can achieve the job you want, but if that is your idol, at some point you could become dissatisfied and want more. Family can become your total focus, and if in your eyes you become disappointed in one of your family, you can become disappointed and disenchanted with life.
As I said, none of it is wrong in and of itself. Money is not a bad thing to have, it's very useful. Working at a job you are content and happy with is a wonderful thing. Taking care of and loving your family is something to strive for. The question becomes is who or what resides on the throne of your heart. Myself, my possessions, or God?
We are pretty good at putting ourselves on the throne. We look in the mirror and see someone who agrees with every one of our heart's desires. Not a lot of accountability or discipline or even spiritual growth when you make yourself the god of your life. It becomes a very self-centered worship where all that matters is what affects you personally, and possibly by extension, those closest to you. When the going gets tough, we turn inwards in the hopes of protecting ourselves. But, like the man trying to climb out of quicksand, our own efforts avail us naught, and we become even more trapped.
Our possessions can age, rust, and become broken. As the saying goes "you can't take it with you". You can have all the money in the world, but if you lose your soul - what have you gained? We take the blessings from God and turn them into god. Sometimes, it's simpler that way, as we feel ownership for them - like our efforts gained us those. Our wealth - I earned that. My work - I made that. We use the gifts God has blessed us with to create our gods of smoke and mirrors.
Whereas, if our focus is on God and God alone - we gain the better perspective for our lives. We are not guaranteed on this Earth that everything will be great if we believe. When God is the ruler of your life, there is a calm, that cannot be replicated by our earthly treasures. Our own means and treasures will eventually buckle by the weights of this world on our lives. They will bend and break, but God will not. Our treasures get exhausted, God is inexhaustible. Unlike our treasures which can become unfulfilling at some point, God will always fulfill us. The treasure we gather will go up in smoke. God, however, will not.
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