THE SIN OF IDOLATRY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY JUNE 19, 2023.

SUBJECT : THE SIN OF IDOLATRY!

Memory verse: "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” (First Corinthians 10 vs 14.)

READ: Job 31 vs 24 - 28:

31:24: If I have made gold my hope. Or said to fine gold, 'You are my confidence'; 

31:25: If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gained much; 

31:26: If I have observed the sun when it shines, Or the moon moving in brightness, 

31:27: So that my heart has been secretly enticed, And my mouth has kissed my hand; 31:28: This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgement, For I would have denied God who is above.

INTIMATION:

An idol is an image or representation of anything, that on which affections are strongly (often excessively) set; an object of passionate devotion; a person or thing greatly loved and adored; regarded with deep and rapturous love (especially as if for a god). It is always a false notion or conception. It can be an image of a divinity, a representation or symbol of deity, or any other being or thing made or used as an object of worship; a similitude of a false god. Sometimes we think of idols as  only statues of wood and stone, but in reality an idol is anything natural that is given sacred value and power.

An idol is anything we put before God. It is also anything that substitutes for the faith, anything that denies Christ’s full deity and humanity, any human idea that claims to be more authoritative than the Bible, any loyalty that replaces God at the center of our lives. Idols don’t have to be physical objects; they can be thoughts or desires. Today we can allow many things to become gods to us. Such things can take God’s place in our lives.

The worship of idol is idolatry. It can be heathen sacrifices to demons (see First Corinthians 10 vs 14 - 21), or the sin of the mind against God (Romans 1 vs 22 - 25).

It is the worshipping of undeserving objects created by God, instead of God—the Creator of those things. Idolatry is making anything more important than God, and our lives are full of that temptation. Money, looks, success, reputation, security—these are today’s idols. Idolatry, outward or inward, is spiritual adultery, breaking our commitment to God in order to love something else. 

 Idol worship is evil because (1) it insults God when we worship something He created rather worshiping Him, (2) it keeps us from knowing and serving God when we put our confidence in anything other than Him, (3) it causes us to rely on our own efforts rather than on God.

Idolatry is the greatest sin against God because it’s rejection of God Himself. When you have any other gods, rather than the only true God, you cannot be His own. God cannot work in us when we elevate anyone or anything above Him. God often saved His hardest criticism and punishment for those who worshipped idols. Discipline awaits all those who continually put earthly desires above spiritual priorities. 

Why were idols so bad in God’s sight? To worship an idol violated the first two of the Ten Commandments of God. And Jesus reemphasized this Commandment in Matthew 4 vs 10, “Worship the LORD your God, and only Him shall you serve.”

Idolatry is still a serious problem today. Our modern idols are those symbols of power, pleasure, or prestige that we so highly regard. Money, fame, work, or pleasure can become gods when we concentrate too much on them for personal identity, meaning, and security. 

In the passage we read today, Job affirmed that depending on wealth for happiness is idolatry and denies our Father in heaven. Jesus’ authority is established over all of creation so we dare not treat any created object or earthly resource as more important than He is. When we spend more time on ourselves than on serving Christ, we treat ourselves (His creation) as being more important than our Creator. When we regard our finances, rather than our faith in Christ, as the basis for security, we give higher status to an earthly resource than we do to God. 

The common denominator is this: Idolaters worship the things God made rather than God Himself. Is there anything you feel you cannot live without? Is there any priority greater than God? Do you have a dream you would sacrifice everything to realize? Does God take first place in your life? Do you worship God or idols of your own making?

The answers to the above listed questions, and also the following questions will be of immense help to discern the ideal life expected of a believer: Who created Me? Whom do I ultimately trust? Whom do I look to for ultimate truth? Whom do I look to for security and happiness? Who is in charge of my future?

No normal person sets out with the intention of worshiping these things. But by the amount of time we devote to them, they can grow into gods that ultimately control our thoughts, emotions, and energies. Letting God hold the central place in our lives keeps these things from turning into gods.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are God, the only God I know and serve. In You I live, and move and have my being. Whatever will come between You and I let me not have it. Whatever will take my attention and trust away from You let me not live to see it, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!