“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth . . . because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen . . .understood through what has been made . . .they are without excuse . . . even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks, but became futile in their speculations and their foolish heart was darkened . . . they became fools and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.” Romans 1:18-23
OLD TESTAMENT IDOLS
Between the pages of Genesis and Malachi we find descriptions of idols–golden calves, wooden carvings, and statutes of gold, silver, bronze, iron and clay. All crafted and carved by men who worshipped and depended on inanimate objects to protect, provide, and meet their needs.
DO WE HAVE IDOLS IN AMERICA?
Can a piece of stone deliver a person from tragedy, heal a child on the edge of death, or save a marriage headed for divorce? Can a piece of gold or wood justify a person before the Sovereign Holy Righteous God and Creator of the Universe ensuring him an eternal home in heaven?
There are places in the world where people fall down and worship images of stone, declaring them gods.
But in America? Idols? Surely not.
An educated twenty-first century American would never take a chunk of gold, rock or wood to the foundry or to an artist to make an image to fall down and worship–would he?
In the previous blog, “Violation of God’s Laws,” we talked about the meaning of God’s first command–no other gods before Me–nothing between your face and God’s face.
Wives, when your husband asked you to marry him, would you have said yes if there was something or someone standing in the way when he proposed? For instance–an old girlfriend he still had affection for, beliefs contrary to God’s law, or habits and addictions that would destroy the marriage.
A problem surfaces between you and a dear friend. Can the friendship continue if issues put a barrier in the relationship? For example, an insistence upon always having one’s own way. Jealousy over other friendships. Unresolved anger about past issues. A continual hateful spirit.
God says nothing between your face and My face. I take that to mean God has authority over every particle of my being every minute of every day–my thoughts, emotions, reactions, choices, and decisions are to become level against the plumb line of His laws, principles, statutes, and precepts.
IDOLS WE STRUGGLE WITH
For a time I allowed my children to come between my face and God’s face. I lived for them. And when the grandchildren arrived, they took center stage as well. I hung on their every word, spent money on them we didn’t have. Time in God’s word was put on hold when the grandkids called or came to visit. Going to church? Only if it agreed with their schedule, and it seldom did.
My husband’s idol for a number of years was his job. He worked long hours, indifferent to family life. But Richard and I learned the hard way that God was his employer. After living through a corporate downsizing, a fifth grade boy in my Sunday School class prayed, “Dear God, please don’t let Mr. Gates go without a paycheck.” Five downsizings later, we give testimony to the fact we never missed a paycheck. Twice we had overlapping severance and new employment paychecks.
We were blessed by that young man’s prayers but God was also teaching that fifth grader about faithfulness. Fifteen years have passed and I still remind that now young father how God answered his prayers for us.
Neighbors and friends have allowed their lake houses, boats, fine homes, recreation, and money take the place of priority in their hearts and minds. Anything that takes precedence over your faith, worship and praise of God Most High is an idol that has come between your face and God’s face.
But let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The supersized idol who lurks inside each one of us, waiting to grab the heart–if only for a moment–to dethrone El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty, and take us captive.
THE GOD OF SELF
We make thousands of choices each day. Choices to walk in obedience to God and His Word or choices to do what we feel like doing–because we believe we have a very good reason to replace the Eternal Power and Divine nature that created us. Each time we give the idol of self authority to call the shots, darkness reigns until we ask forgiveness and allow the light of His Truth to dispel deceptive thoughts, choices and actions.
In John 10:27 Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they know Me.”
How long has it been since you’ve heard the Lord speak to your heart? Have you ever heard Him speak? Could it be that something or someone has taken you captive–inserted itself between your face and God’s face?
But Paul tells us that “We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ.” Romans 8:37.
What idols do you struggle with? Identify the idol. Ask Jesus’ help. That’s a giant leap along the road to becoming more than a conqueror.
NEXT: Generational Curses and Blessings