Respectable Idols

We would have no trouble understanding…if it were a statue or a golden calf.
We would readily point our finger and say IDOL.
We know that an idol has no place in our Christian walk.

They cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.
(Jeremiah 10:3-5)

Worshiping something that is worthless.
Putting our trust in something that is made by human hands.
We can see the futility in that!

Why then is it so difficult to discern the respectable idols in our lives?

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
(Exodus 20:1-6)

Sometimes, we want something so bad we can taste it!
That something has the potential to become an idol in our lives…even if it is a good thing!
Anything that we put before God is an idol.
He alone deserves first place…prominence…exclusive worship.

Pursuing a relationship, looking for a job, working on a hobby, searching for the best deal before you make a purchase…in and of themselves are not bad things…but they are distracting things.

Distraction is the antithesis of devotion.
Satan loves to distract us with “good” things.
When we are distracted, we become ineffective in Kingdom things.
That is exactly what the enemy wants!

We take our eyes off God…and put them on ourselves.
We spend time worrying and wondering…we look all around…instead of looking up!

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for My name, and have not grown weary. Yet, I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. (Revelation 2:2-5)

You have forsaken your first love!
Not something we ever want to hear.
We are told, in God’s Commandments, that our first love must be HIM!

Respectable idols are dignified.
How could God object to us finding a spouse, getting ahead in our career, or exercising for our health?

God knows that I totally belong to Him on Sunday…that’s HIS day!
The other six days…they are mine!

Compartmentalize…rationalize…elevate the respectability of the thing.
“At least…”
Those things are still idols…if they are more important than Him!

We don’t want to hear that.
We don’t like that label.
Idols are made of stone…they sit on a table…they have incense burning before them.

Not necessarily!

All good gifts are from God’s hands.
If the gift is elevated above the Giver, it is an idol.

What do you find yourself thinking about the majority of the time?
What do you devote most of your time to?
What would devastate you if it were taken away?

For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and glory are in His sanctuary…ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth.
(Psalm 96:4-6,8,9)

God doesn’t object to the relationship, or the job, or the hobby.
He objects when the relationship, the job, or the hobby takes His place.
There is only ONE God…and He will not share that exclusive position with another.

El-Shaddai…God Almighty!