In the last blog we looked at some modern-day idols Christians worship. These included things like self, security, acceptance, relationships, success and money. Now we’ll continue with some other idols Christians worship today.
POSSESSIONS. From little on we want to acquire possessions. We seem to believe what the bumper sticker says, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” We find comfort and security in our things. We guard them and compare ours to what others have. We seek to get more and newer items. We find our value and identity in our stuff. Yet they don’t satisfy, so we keep thinking more will fill the void, but only Jesus can fill it. Do your possessions serve you, or do you serve them? Do you spend more time thinking about and focusing on your things than you do on loved ones or your spiritual life?
HEALTH. “As long as I have my health” is a common refrain today. It’s easy to get obsessed with health, weight and our diet. It’s good to do what we can to improve our health. Increased strength and energy often leads to enhanced productivity. The problem arises when wellness shifts from a tool to an object of our worship. To know when we’ve crossed the line into idolatry, we can ask ourselves some key questions: Which do I think of more — my appearance or my Savior? Do I more readily clear my schedule for a gym workout or Bible study meeting? If I don’t have time to both fancy up or pray, which do I choose?
Our schedules usually reveal where our deepest love and loyalties lie. When we sense we’ve elevated exercise and nutrition above our Savior, we have to change our priorities. As our intimacy with Him grows, all the fears and insecurities that fuel the idol of health diminish.
FOOD. The variety of foods and tastes reveals the heart of our good, loving Father. He could’ve given all nourishment a single flavor or created us with the ability to detect perhaps a handful of varieties. Instead, He blessed us with a banquet filled with the sweet, tangy, salty, and savory and granted us tongues with 10,000 taste buds that enable us to enjoy every bite. Unfortunately, we more often crave a sugar high than quiet time with our Savior. Making sure we take time to eat can take precedent over taking time to read the Bible or pray. Which do you go without most often, a meal or private time with God?
KNOWEDGE. A good education is seen as the key to success and therefore happiness in life. We put much value on training our intellect, gaining more knowledge and learning how to access more information on the internet. That isn’t wrong in itself. God made our minds and reveals truths to us. But knowledge is a means to an end, not an end in itself. When our worth is based on our education or our ability to think things through, when we feel superior to others because of our better training or experience, or when we rest our confidence in our ability to problem-solve, then what we know has become an idol. Is your first impulse when faced with a problem to go to God with it or to figure out a solution on your own?
COMFORT. Isn’t this the goal of having money, possessions and all the idols listed above? In and of themselves they aren’t that great, but when they bring peace, joy, pleasure or happiness, then they are something we greatly desire. They bring us comfort and false security. They make life easier and give us more options. I’ve found the only way to escape the idol of comfort is to intentionally embrace something that makes me uncomfortable: Initiate conversation with someone different than me, serve in an area I feel ill-equipped, or sacrifice something important to me for the greater good. I don’t like conflict, stress, challenges or difficulties. I want things safe and easy. If any of the other potential idols listed above aren’t tempting you, then desiring comfort above all else certainly can! How much of your prayer time is spent in asking God to do things that are for your comfort and ease? How do you respond to God when He allows you to be in uncomfortable situations?
Scripture tells us every good and perfect gift comes from God and is designed to bless us and draw us closer to the Gift-giver. The solution, then, isn’t to forsake these gifts from God but to set our hearts on the One who is the source of all that is good, right, fulfilling, and pleasurable. Jesus is the anecdote for every idol that infiltrates my heart. The more I lean into Him, prioritize my time with Him, and surrender to Him, the more He fills the deepest, darkest crevices within me until there’s room for nothing else.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1John 5:21
Which of these false idols are more tempting for you?
Are there other things in your life that can become an idol for you? If so, what are they?
What do you need to do to keep them from being an idol? Come up with a plan, write it down and keep it handy.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
ChristianTrainingOnline.org
(India & Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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