When you think of idolatry, do you think of a golden calf or other small idols, whom people have worshiped throughout the ages? Do you think of little idols or statues that people use to decorate their homes and palaces in honor to their gods? How about unholy sacrifices people have made to their gods over the centuries? If these thoughts came to mind, then you only understand a piece of the idolatry issue that has plagued us for generations. What is sad is that most people live in idolatry, now a-days and don’t even realize it. They don’t know even realize that they are putting other things above God and to make things worse, worship them. God’s commandment says, 1“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God.” According to the Bible, Idolatry is any graven image, even things that are heavenly in nature or the earth we live in. We are not to bow down or serve any of these things. Examples of graven images are money, fancy cars, boats, houses, cell phones, TV, music or music artists, movies or movie actors, or sports or sports athletes. This also includes, portraits and images of Jesus, Mary, and pagan gods. God’s words speaks against such things. TV and Cell phones are only a vehicle but how we use them, determines if we are for God or not.
Worshipping idols includes, spending our time and effort into having the luxuries in life through money, spending most of our time on our cell phones or watching or playing games on TV. If our passion is watching or listening to a favorite music artist then that is our idol. Many pop stars are not Christian and even portray themselves as mini gods. They love it when fans give them praise on stage. The same happens in sports. Many sports athletes love to be the center of attention and we even go nuts and clap for them that. They is an example of idol worship. Being a follower of Jesus means to not be of this world. We are to stand apart from the idolatry that is all around us. We are to be a light to this fallen generation. Everywhere we go, 8Satan wants to tell us it is ok to be like everyone else and be a friend of this world. However, God’s words are very clear that we must steer clear from idolatry at all costs. Paul taught, 7“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Everyone that is giving worship to the things of this world is an Idolater at heart and such people will not 5“inherit the kingdom of God.” 6Idolatry stems from the lusts of the flesh. 3Jesus has called us all to be born again. If we are born again, in Christ Jesus, then we will also walk in the Spirit and no longer in the flesh. 4Jesus knows who loves Him for they obey His commandments. 2They do what the Lords says for they love Him with all their heart.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, free the people of this world from all forms of idolatry. I fear that so many people are blinded by the idols that are all around them. Many, so called Christians, even worship idols and don’t even know it. The people of this world are being deceived. I pray that you wake them up to know of the dangers of this world. Lord, help us to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh. Help us to bow down and serve You alone and not bow down to anyone or anything else. Help us know what is deterring us from following You fully. You are greater than all my possessions. Help me to stay off my cell phone and use it only to serve you, and love my neighbor. Help me to not watch much TV and if I do, help me to find content that pleases You. Help me to find music that uplifts my faith. Help me to not desire things that are not important to my salvation. Help me to not follow or look up to the wrong types of people. Lord, I trust in You. Help me to use my time wisely. I give You all my worship. I praise Your Holy Name. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Exodus 20:4-6 (KJV)
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
2Luke 6:46-49 (KJV)
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
3John 3:1-7 (KJV)
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
4John 14:15,21 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
51 Corinthians 6:9-11 (KJV)
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
6Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
7Ephesians 5:1-5 (KJV)
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
8James 4:1-8 (KJV)
1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
