Avoid The Enslavement Of Idols!

When we think about idols, we often picture the Old Testament kind: Asherim (2 Kings 17:10), Baal (2 Chronicles 34:4), Hequet, the Egyptian goddess of fertility, or the horrific Molech, who required child sacrifice. (Leviticus 20:1–5) In the New Testament, Paul saw Athens filled with idols—even one dedicated “to the unknown god.” (Acts 17:16, 23)

I used to scoff at the idea of idol worship. In a college literature class, we studied the Greek and Roman gods—gods of beauty, fertility, war, wealth, and pleasure. I remember thinking how absurd it was that people would worship statues of wood or stone.

But then I saw the truth: I had been doing the same thing all along—just in a modern form.

Our culture still worships the same idols—just with new names and flashy packaging. Take money, for example. I spent years sacrificing time, relationships, and energy—all in pursuit of wealth. I thought I was working hard to provide the best life for my family, but in truth, I was pouring my devotion into a god that would never satisfy.

Or beauty—how much time and money have I spent trying to preserve youth, health, and appearance? What about status, success, entertainment, or achievement? We chase these things as if they’ll fulfill us, but all the while, we’re sacrificing the only relationship that truly matters.

I even led my kids to idolize sports. In 6th grade, my son finally pushed back: “I don’t want to play basketball, baseball, football, and soccer.” I was proud of the hustle—but what part of THIS life was centered on God?

God has so much more to offer us than the idols we choose! In His great love for us, He warns us:

“You shall have no other gods before Me… You shall not bow down to them nor serve them.” Exodus 20:3–5

And Jesus affirmed this great commandment:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

When we love, honor, and serve idols—while giving God the leftovers—we cheat ourselves out of the joy, peace, love, and purpose only He can provide. Let’s stop worshiping what can’t love us back. God created us, loves us, died for us, and offers us life to the fullest. Don’t miss out on HIS best. He is the ONLY Lord and God worthy of worship and gives us ALL we need.

“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭17‬:‭24‬-‭29

Today’s Challenge:

Take an honest inventory of your time, money, and energy this week. What do they reveal about what (or whom) you’re truly worshiping? Write down one idol you need to forsake—and one action step you will take to put God first.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I’ve placed other things before You—whether it was money, success, beauty, or distraction. You alone are worthy of my heart, my time, and my worship. Help me to recognize and cast down every idol in my life. Remind me that nothing I chase can love or satisfy me like You can. Teach me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.