What Is the Correct Response to Modern-Day Idolatry?

[image error]I think most of us want to believe we’re okay when it comes to being on the right track in our lives. At least I know I sometimes fall into this deceived thinking.

Then we start to play the comparison game, both to make ourselves feel better and also excuse our sin. You know, the “I know I’m not perfect, but at least I’m better than _____” routine.

Honestly, apart from God and His unfathomable grace, none of us are okay. In addition, our puny attempts to measure ourselves by any other standard than Jesus is nothing more than self-deception and utter stupidity.

And then there’s the matter of idolatry. Lest we assume that idolatry is something practiced only by those who don’t belong to God, let me just stop us all in our tracks before we even go there. Truthfully, even those of us who profess faith in Christ and earnestly desire to follow God’s ways can be swayed by idolatry.

Share your definition. What is an idol? Join the discussion at:
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What Is An Idol?

As we consider the question, most of our minds probably go to a carved or man-built image of some type. But according to God’s Word, it goes much deeper than that.

The apostle Paul stated it this way: “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” ~Ephesians 5:3-5 (NASB)

“…no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater…” Eph.5:5
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[image error]Did you catch that? According to Paul, anyone who is immoral or impure or covetous is an idolater and has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

This definition by Nancy Pearcey, author of Finding Truth, matches that of Paul’s: “An idol is anything we want more than God, anything we rely on more than God, anything we look to for greater fulfillment than God. Idolatry is thus the hidden sin driving all other sins.”

“An idol is anything we want more than God, anything we rely on more than God…” -Nancy Pearcey
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As an example to her definition, the author mentions lying. When we lie–even those untruths we consider to be minor or little white lies–it’s because we value another person’s opinion or ourselves over God.

My personal definition of idolatry, which is not near as eloquent as the ones above is simply worship of the wrong god…those impotent little-g gods. In the end, it all comes down to where we place our trust, because we become like what we trust. And everything other than God will eventually prove itself untrustworthy.

“Idolatry is the worship of the wrong and impotent little-g gods.” @Cathy_Bryant
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The Scope of the Problem

I don’t think we fully realize how serious the problem of idolatry (AKA spiritual adultery) really is to God.

First off, it’s the subject matter of both the first and second commandments given in the Law, two out of four responsibilities listed for maintaining our relationship with God. “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” -Exodus 20:3-6 (NASB)

And just so there’s no confusion, that phrase “before Me” literally means “besides Me” or “other than Me.”

Secondly, idolatry is the most widely-spoken about form of sin in the Bible. Just about all of the Old Testament prophets speak about it in response to the idolatry of Israel and Judah.

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But just because we don’t have the tendency to carve a stick of wood into an idol and worship it today, doesn’t mean we’re not idolaters. Consider these subtle and not-so-subtle forms of idolatry:

Skipping church fellowship and worship and Bible study to watch a movie.
Skipping prayer and reading our Bible (in other words, our intimate time of fellowship with the Lord) to do other things.
Polishing our shiny new sports car to drive it slowly around the neighborhood so everyone can see it.
Overwork, when God calls us to rest. (This one really steps on my toes…)
Chasing after money/income when God says “Don’t.”
Watching movies and television shows that are clearly opposed to God and His ways.
Putting our trust in our bank accounts, 401Ks, jobs, houses, personal power, pantries, government, military, or anything else besides God.
Political alliances with ungodly nations.
Worry, fear, and anxiety.
Other people.
Self.

Idolatry (AKA spiritual adultery) is a serious matter to God. See the list here:
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Only One Solution

My motive in writing this post isn’t to send us on some gigantic guilt trip. Nor am I trying to put myself on a higher spiritual plane than anyone else.

I’m guilty of idolatry, too. We all are.

And it should scare us into a prostrate position before God’s throne of grace. It should bring us to a place of soul-searching and repentance before the One True and Living God, the Creator of the Universe. He is the only solution to the waywardness of our hearts.

God is the only solution to the waywardness of our hearts. More here:
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It might help to consider this: God is a good and gracious God who promises to never leave us and always provide for us. He’s proved time and time again that He is trustworthy. So why would any of us choose to “worship” anything other than Him?

Father God, No wonder Your Word has so much to say against idolatry. As our Creator, You know the sinfulness and deceitfulness of our human hearts. You know our natural human tendency is to follow our own ways rather than You. And because You are our Maker, and because we’re in a covenant relationship with You, that idolatry is spiritual adultery in Your eyes. Oh, God, forgive us and help us to do better. You are the only One worthy of worship, Lord, but still we persist in the worship of stuff. Lord, lead us to search our hearts on a regular basis, to confess the idolatry we find there, and to seek to serve and worship You better each and every day. In the powerful and precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Chit-chat Fodder: What are some other examples of modern-day idolatry?

What are some examples of modern-day idolatry? Join the discussion here:
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