HoHum:
James Michener, tells the story of a man named Urbaal, who, was a farmer living about 2200 B.C. He worshiped two gods, one a god of death, the other a goddess of fertility. One day, the temple priests tell Urbaal to bring his young son to the temple for sacrifice—if he wants good crops. Urbaal obeys, and on the appointed day drags his wife and boy to the scene of the boy’s “religious execution” by fire to the god of death. After the sacrifice of Urbaal’s boy, and several others, the priests announce that one of the fathers will spend next week in the temple, with a new temple prostitute. Urbaal’s wife is stunned as she notices a desire written more intensely across his face than she had seen before, and she is sad to see him eagerly lunge forward when his name is called. The ceremony over, she walks out of the temple with her head swimming, concluding that “if he had different gods, he would be a different man.”
WBTU:
In our culture we make fun of those who set up an idol and worship it. However, an idol is not simply a statue of wood, stone, or metal. Anything we love and pursue in place of the one true God is an idol, and can also be referred to as a ‘false god.’
Even the NT warns us against idolatry: “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.”” “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” 1 Corinthians 10:6, 7, 14, NIV. “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:21, NIV.
Idolatry is not limited to the worship of statues. The truth is that a person can faithfully attend church every Sunday and still be caught up in idolatry. Sadly some people think that if they go to church on Sundays, they can do as they wish for the rest of the week, now that they have racked up their quota of “brownie points” with God. Which is better, to be a common sinner or an insincere saint. God says of this type of person, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Isaiah 29:13. Terrifying is that God is intolerant of this. He listed it at the top of the Ten Commandments: ““You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an idol...” Exodus 20:3, 4, NIV.
Jesus says much the same thing in the Great Commandment: “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37, 38. Same in 10 Commandments and same with Jesus
An idol is any object, idea, philosophy, habit, leader, occupation, sport, or pastime that is the main focus of our devotion. They have first place in our hearts. An idol is where our loyalty lies. Alan Redpath defined idolatry this way: “Our god is the thing we think is the most precious. For whom we would make the most sacrifice. Who moves our hearts with the warmest love. If we lost this thing or person we would be desolate.”
What is our golden calf? Let’s take a quick inventory.
Thesis: 4 areas from which many idols come
For instances:
1. Other people
While the Israelites’ second idol took the form of a golden calf, their first idol was Moses. Yes, to that crowd coming out of Egypt, their godly leader was an icon. Moses’ leadership keep millions of people from turning to idolatry. Unfortunately when they felt like Moses was gone, they went back to idolatry.
Many people today are able to stand strong when they’re around other Christians. However, when they are separated from Christians, they quickly blend into the woodwork. They begin to lower their standards. And soon they’ve fallen victim to compromise. Aaron was put to such a test, and he failed miserably. Had he been able to stand strong for the Lord, he might have turned the people back from their idolatry. Instead, he helped turn them toward it.
Sometimes people become idols. We all have mentors, people who came alongside us and lead us to Christ or had a powerful influence for godliness at some point in our lives. Had a youth minister and we served together in a church. Told me that he had a hard time when his old youth minister left the faith. Some in the youth group said, “That’s it- forget this Christianity thing. II’m throwing in the towel. I’m not going to follow the Lord any more.” Wait a minute! Who were they following? We must see a distinction between admiration and respect for a leader and an unhealthy, idolatrous loyalty.
“When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.” John 1:36, 37, NIV.
Next 3 areas come from this verse: “For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:16, NIV.
2. Pleasure (the cravings of sinful man also known as the lust of the flesh)
This is nothing new. Back in the first century, a group known as the Epicureans believed in a godless, random universe in which atoms came together simply by chance to create everything that’s in existence. They did not believe in heaven, hell, or life beyond the grave. They believed that man’s chief purpose in life was the pursuit of happiness (pleasure). Some things that are pleasurable are not bad but it can quickly become an idol and that is harmful.
This “Epicurean mentality” is still with us today. So many people appear to be living for only the pursuit of pleasure. The Bible lists this as one of the distinguishing sins of the days immediately before the promised return of Christ. Of this Epicurean mindset, 2 Timothy 3 says, “In the last days, men will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalms 16:11, NIV.
3. Coveting (the lust of the eyes)
Started with first two commandments and now the last of the 10: ““You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”” Exodus 20:17
Covetousness is a form of idolatry. Covetousness is to eagerly desire something that belongs to someone else- to set our heart on something that another person owns. Another way to describe covetousness is to “pant after” something. Think of an incredibly thirsty wild animal, panting after a cool drink of water. That’s dangerous! Before Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, she took a good look at it. She looked at it longingly. She admired it. She began to covet it. Then she ate it (Genesis 3:6).
What if I actually get what I covet. May be the worst thing ever for us. Peace Pilgrim- I remember a dear lady, who was up in years. She was working so hard and always complaining. I finally said to her, "Why in the world do you need to work so hard when you have only yourself to support?" And she said "Oh, I have to pay rent on a five room house." "A five room house!" I replied. "But you're alone in the world. Couldn't you live happily in one room?" "Oh yes," she said sadly, "but I have furniture for a five room house." She was working her fingers to the bone to provide a proper home for that furniture!
God gives us everything we need. “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, NIV.
“And I--in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness.” Psalms 17:15, NIV.
4. Ourselves (the boastful pride of life, boasting of what he has and does)
All idolatry comes down to self worship. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent to be “like God,” to worship themselves (Genesis 3:5).
This unholy trinity of Me, Myself, and I spreads throughout the land by means of the numerous miniature, self-idols that people carry with them every day: self-indulgence, self-promotion, self-will, self-sufficiency, self-preservation, self-gratification, self-service, self-esteem, self-righteousness, and more.
We may not physically kneel before a statue (of Aphrodite) but many young women today are driven into depression and eating disorders by an obsessive concern over their body image. We may not literally burn incense (to Artemis) but when money and career are raised to unreasonable proportions, we perform a kind of child sacrifice, neglecting family and community to achieve a higher place in business and gain more wealth and prestige. All of this focuses on the self. Our pride keeps us in idolatry.
“This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.” Jeremiah 2:5. Ralph Waldo Emerson said: THE GODS we worship write their names on our faces, be sure of that. And a man will worship something —have no doubt about that, either. He may think that his tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of his heart—but it will come out. That which dominates will determine his life and character. Therefore, it is necessary for us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming.
How can I be delivered? Have a passionate, committed, close relationship with Jesus Christ. When we walk closely with Him, the desire for other gods goes away. “I Shall Not Be In Want”
