So, about idolatry…
Hello friend,
Been a while, I hope you’re doing well and that God has been showing you His goodness in amazing ways.
I want to talk to you today about something that’s been on my heart for a while, and that’s the topic of idolatry. I know it’s not the most pleasant of subjects, but I believe it’s important for us to discuss.
So, what is idolatry? Simply put, idolatry is the act of worshipping something or someone other than God. It’s when we prioritize something above God in our hearts and lives, and when we seek to gain from it what we can only receive from God. Tim Keller, in his book “Counterfeit Gods,” describes an idol as “anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, and anything that you seek to give you what only God can give.” In essence, idols can be anything that we place above God in our lives.
Idolatry is very sneaky and deceptive. It can take the form of something good, such as the desire to get married or to have financial security. However, the moment that these desires become all-consuming and we begin to believe that we need them to be fulfilled, they become idols in our lives. Other forms of idolatry can include our obsession with self, fear, seeking approval from others, craving success or wealth, prioritizing loyalty to our friends or family members over our beliefs, and even our attachment to food or our physical health.
It’s important to recognize that these idols are not just harmless distractions, but they are trying to convince us that God is not enough. They are attempting to distract us from the deep satisfaction and fulfillment that we can only find in Him.The truth is, God is enough. He’s more than enough. Everything we could ever need or want is found in Him. The more we seek Him, the more we’ll find that true satisfaction and fulfillment that we’ve been looking for
But please don’t feel condemned or guilty. We’ve all been there. The good news is that God is always ready to forgive and help us to put Him back where He belongs – as the Lord over our lives.
So, how do we know if we have idols in our lives? It’s not always easy to tell, but we can start by examining our hearts and asking God to reveal anything that we might be putting before Him. And when we do find those idols, we can repent, reject them, and put God back where He belongs – as the Lord over our lives. One of the things that has helped me to recognize the idols in my life is asking God to show me what’s in my heart that doesn’t belong there. It’s not always easy to face these things, but it’s a necessary step towards healing and wholeness in Christ.
Remember, God loves you more than you can ever imagine. He wants you to experience His peace and joy in every area of your life. That’s why He’s calling you to put Him first and to let go of anything that’s hindering you from fully experiencing His love.
As believers, it’s important to guard our hearts and prioritize our relationship with God above all else. We should desire Him more than anything else in our lives, knowing that everything we need can be found in Him. He desires our hearts above all else, and in His presence, we lack nothing.
My hope and prayer for you today is that Holy Spirit will use this message to help you identify any idols in your life that may be hindering your relationship with God. May you be empowered to reject, renounce them, come out of agreement with them, and put God back in His rightful place as the Lord of your life.
I want to leave you with a video that really impacted me and helped me to see the idols in my own life. I hope it blesses you as well and helps you to draw closer to God:
Just know that you’re not alone. Let’s keep seeking God together and remember, God loves you and He wants the best for you. Let’s strive to keep Him first in our hearts and lives.
See you soon!
