Summary
What is an Idol? Idols are things that replace God in our hearts and lives, while they might be good on their own, they become a problem when they become a god to us.
What does an idol look like?
I was surprised to discover it can look like everyday things, even good things.
Recently, I became convicted that a “good thing” in my life had become an idol. An idol is not a good thing, a dear brother (and the Holy Spirit) reminded me.
But how does that happen? For Israel, it was a fear of abandonment by their leader (Moses) and panic that they needed someone or some thing to give them a sense of identity. They chose what they knew from Egypt.
Hundreds of years later Jeroboam set up a couple competing worship centers for political and practical reasons, concerned that his people might leave him for worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem.
And then there were Judah and her kings, influenced in part by their marriage alliances and the nations around them which seemed more powerful. And their hearts were stolen away.
Each led to disaster for God’s people. Some sooner, some later. Regardless of how understandable the reason was (or is), an idol is a substitute god.
“I am the LORD (Yahweh) your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:2-3 The nine commandments that follow all flow from this one.
Substitutes. Yahweh says He is a jealous God. Why? Because when we place anyone or anything before Him, He knows that it will lead in a direction harmful to us. Perhaps not slavery in Egypt, but slavery to sin, no less. He is no longer the focus of our worship. If we do worship Him, it is as one of a pantheon of gods. And, as Jesus reminds us, No one can serve two masters.
Our modern day temples are sporting arenas. Our altars are filled with our wealth and attention. Our celebrity TikTok, political and entertainment gods promise us fulfillment, security and power.
Come to think of it, those line up with a lot of the past reasons God’s people abandoned Him, too.
Stated positively, we are called to love the LORD, our God, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength . . . and demonstrate that devotion to Him by loving our neighbor as ourself. We do this as individuals. We do this together.
My problem is not that I loved something bad. My problem is that I made something good, God.
O Lord, forgive me when I shift my focus away from You alone as the One to worship. Thank You that You already have in Christ. I choose to live in Your grace today with others, refusing to trust that anything other than Your grace is enough.
Randy Jaspers, Northern Plains Regional Minister
