Like the Israelites, we are warned not to make carved images in the form of any figure in form of a human being, any animal on earth, in the air or in the sea to worship them. Neither should we look up to the sun, moon, stars or all the host of heaven to worship and serve them. (Deut 4 vs 15-19)
Our LORD is a jealous God: hence we must be careful not to fall into idolatry. It is incredibly easy to do so, especially in this modern age.
By definition, modern-day idolatry in Christianity is the shifting of ultimate trust, worth and devotion away from God onto created things. While ancient idolatry involved bowing to physical statues or golden calves.
Modern idolatry is more subtle as it often disguises itself as normal pursuits, comfort, or good things that usurp or takes God’s supreme place in our heart. Let’s pause for a minute and ask: what are those things competing for or already consuming the attention we owe to God?
Such forms of modern idolatry are:
• Comfort and Security: It is organizing our life entirely around ease, safety, and financial stability while viewing God as a tool to maintain that lifestyle.
• Control and Self-Reliance: is obsessing over managing future outcomes, career/business success or personal status, effectively making oneself or one’s achievements the master of life.
• Technology and Distractions: This is allowing smartphones, social media, and digital consumption to consume time, attention, and mental space once reserved for prayer and word study.
• Approval and Celebrity Culture: This is seeking human validation, social influence, or placing Christian leaders and public figures on pedestals rather than focusing on Christ.
• Materialism and Greed: Is accumulating wealth and possessions to build personal ego or security, which Apostle Paul explicitly equates with idolatry in Colossians 3:5.
These and many more are some of the common forms of modern day idolatry. We are therefore urged to live by and keep the general and personal rules and regulations set by God – both for us as the body of Christ and as individuals. We must abstain from every form of idolatry so that it may go well with us and our generations.
PRAYER
Father, I repent of materialism, greed and seeking human validation. Forgive me for placing my leader, spouse or children above Christ and for spending hours on social media instead of in prayers and Word study. I repent of obsessing over career achievements, personal status and viewing You (God) as a tool rather than loving you genuinely. Cleanse me in Jesus name. (Amen)
Shalom 🕊️
Bimpe Lawal