Idolatry. I believe it's a sin we're all guilty of, in one way or another.
I've been thinking more and more about this lately. I have been thinking about if I have my priorities right. I'm a Christian. My God, Jesus, should be at the center of my life. Not off to the right, or over there in the left. No. He must be in the CENTER. Above everything else, I should turn my worship and attention to Him. Nothing else is worthy of getting in the way.
We all idolize. Sure, in subtle ways, maybe. But that's what makes it hard to notice, to be concerned about. Often it can be the stupidest little thing. Humans are labile, fickle creatures. They repeatedly give in to their desires, give in to what they lust after, whatever it is. I know I, for one, want to please God with my whole heart. That does not mean I don't sin when it comes to this. The Bible says the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41)
So what do we allow to be exalted in everyday situations, when we shouldn't?
1. FOOD.
Oh, how many times I catch myself thinking about food. Chocolate, pizza, french fries, cheesecake, you name it. It's so easy to fall into the trap of permitting our stomach to govern us. Our stomach can become to be like a god to us.
In Philippians, the Bible says:
whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame- who set their mind on earthly things. (3:19)
God made food for our enjoyment. He did. But it is
not meant to come before Him. Ever seen that little sentence at the bottom of the TV screen, whilst watching an ad for beer or wine or some form of alcohol? The one that says 'drink responsibly'? As Christians, our duty is to eat responsibly. It's okay to enjoy food. Don't worship it.
2. APPEARANCE.
Outward appearances. Admit it, we've all heard it, and often believed the lie that tells us we have to be picture perfect to be accepted. Honestly, the standard has been set too high, and I'm here to break it to you.
Some people judge themselves for their outward appearances. Some people judge others for their outward appearances. I can't deny that I've let this get to me. Lately, though, I've felt very strongly that God is telling me to change.
Stop, He's saying,
just stop.
You really think that I breathed life into you and put you in this world so that you could stress about the way you look?
Not only has He been reminding me that outward beauty is not what matters, He's also been rebuking me for insulting Him. Yes, when you look in the mirror and say you don't like what you see, you're saying:
God, your artwork is ugly. Please, realize how serious that is. He's the Creator. Everything he has made is beautiful.
And trying to value everyone (Including yourself) by how pretty their face is or desirable or good looking they are according to the world's standard is wrong. It's also of a sign ignorance, which is a sign you've been brainwashed by the world.
3. PEOPLE.
There are a few subjects I need to cover here. Idolizing people can happen as anyone of the following...
(a) Actors, singers, boy bands, authors, popular friends, even your crush. Whatever, any of those. Sometimes we obsess about other people, hence the term 'fangirl'. It's not alright. The only One we should fangirl over is Jesus. It's fine to show appreciation for someone in your life, of course. But here's some advice. Don't obsess and don't fantasize over other humans. It is a sin, because it steals away the time we could be using to spend time with our God, and really, it's not healthy.
(b)
For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)
Society piles on the pressure. I know that. I know how it is. You want to impress and please others, you want them to think you're cool. You often do things keeping in mind what they would think of it. We should only keep in mind what our Father in heaven would think of it. It doesn't make Him happy when we make pleasing men our primacy.
(c) Yourself. Ourselves. Being selfish is a way of putting someone else in a higher place than God. That someone being you. Doing what
we want instead of what
He wants is the opposite of being selfless, which we're called to do.
4. POSSESSIONS.
Mine. I want. Give me.
Those things that go through our minds. It's so hard not to take what you want. Or to be stingy with what you have. But guys, stuff, stuff is so worthless when you think about it. Owning fancy, expensive or beautiful things will not fill that hole you may feel in your life. And whatever objects and possessions you have with you will not go with you into the next life someday. There
is joy in having little and not minding.
I'm also referring to envying things that someone else has, like King David did. Pull against the urge to have what isn't yours.
5. ENTERTAINMENT.
Meaning: movies, music, social media. Spending too much time in front of the TV, preoccupying your mind with the wrong music, or biting your lip at too little likes on a photo you posted.
I believe entertainment is one of the pleasures God has gifted us with, yes. Good things are good for you, when rationed out in the right amounts. If you're thinking about them too often, spending too much time dwelling on them, then you're letting them be too important to you.
6. MONEY.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10)
My point has already been made with that verse. However, I'll go on to say this. I think everyone will agree that money is tempting. Very, very tempting. And oh, how the evil one loves for us to fall into temptation. Just remember that you can't do it on your own.
You cannot beat temptation without help from above.
You might not like what I'm saying. If I'm honest, I don't even like what I'm saying. I won't deny it's a battle. Fighting against what we as simple humans fancy, and instead satisfying ourselves in Him. But I promise you this, He is
so satisfying. He is all you need, all I need. He can give that deep sense of belonging. And He keeps His word.
I was reading in the book of John today, and I came across a couple of verses that I think will finish this post with the right words.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (John 2:15-17)
I encourage you to watch and pray. And to glorify Jesus as your
only God. Don't let the gods of this world entice you, lest you be caught in their snare.
