Modern Day Idolatry
“You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.” Exodus 20:3-4 (NLT)
In this day and age many Christians think idolatry is a thing of the past or a thing of Eastern Religion or third-world countries who serve pagan gods. We tend to think of idolatry as a physical statue or item of worship—a physical image of another god…For example when the Israelites made a golden calf to worship at the base of Mount Sinai (Exodus 32). We often don’t even consider that idolatry is alive and thriving even among Christians today, even in our OWN homes and lives.
Idolatry has been defined as “1. worship of idols; and/or 2. excessive devotion to or reverence for some person or thing”. I like the definition of being “excessively devoted to something”. This seems to render more true of modern day idolatry than to think of worshiping an idol or graven image of a god.
Today idolatry takes on new forms. It’s not just golden statues. It could be anything that diverts attention away from serving God or anything that takes precedence over God. Idols could be simply any pleasure in life that we prioritize over God, any “excessive devotion to something” more than God.
It has to do with what we “treasure”, with what is in our hearts.
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)
Things we can idolize or “treasure”…
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- People (our spouses/significant others, our children, our friends)
- Hobbies
- Work/Career/Performance
- Fitness
- Physical appearance/image
- Social media
- Entertainment
- Music
- Traveling
- Food
- Sex/Lust
- Money
- Material possessions/superficial gain
- Fame
- Power
- Passions that we pursue
- Addictions
- Sometimes it’s even ourselves: “Me, me, me. It’s all about me and what I want and deserve.”
Obsessions, “gods”, and “churches”
Idolatry is essentially making a “god” out of something else in our lives. Many years ago we used to have this neighbor who was OBSESSED with fishing. I mean, he ate, breathed, and slept fishing. He went fishing daily. I’m not kidding…Every. Single. Day. He even worked from his boat via phone. We’d often joke on Sundays as we were leaving to go to church and we’d see him heading out with his boat, “Oh look! He’s going to HIS church!”
I’ve often thought the same of people who are obsessed with working out. It’s their “church”. I’ve had arguments in my own home about this in regard to sports, video gaming, phone usage, and Hallmark movies!
So is obsession with something idolatry? And what constitutes an “obsession”? How much is too much? Do we mistakenly attempt to justify and defend our interests to avoid being accused of “obsession” or “idolatry”?
These are questions that may not always have a black and white answer. However, God knows. He knows the “obsessions”, “gods”, “idols”, and “churches” in our lives, and he can reveal them to us. The Holy Spirit will correct and direct us if we seek answers from Him.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (HCSB)
When good things become ultimate things
I like how this article describes why idols are easy to overlook…
“That said, you and I must be aware that our idols today can rear their heads in various forms. While we generally see them as disgraceful, evil passions, it is important to recognize that idols can also be “good” things that we’ve made “ultimate” things. A few examples which we often put our value and confidence in may include our children, spouse, physical attractiveness, money, job, or even our friendships. We may look to money or comforts to fill a space which they cannot fill. All of these things are not inherently evil, but they become a problem when we begin to believe that they satisfy us more than God.”[1]
And this review of Tim Keller’s book Counterfeit Gods, where it states…
“Keller’s book stands out among other books on idolatry because of the way he goes beyond superficial expressions of idolatry to the root issues of the heart. Our hearts are idol-making factories that make good gifts from God ultimate in our lives, thereby replacing God in our affections. He writes:
“What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.” (xvii)
How can you identify these insidious idols? How can you tell if you are worshipping a counterfeit God? Keller says:
“A counterfeit god is anything so central and essential to your life that, should you lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living.” (xviii)”[2]
It seems like God doesn’t want me to have fun and enjoy life
Does God want us to have pleasure and enjoy life? YES! However, He wants us to FIRST have correct priorities to be able to fully enjoy life as originally intended.
“…I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” John 10:10b (AMP)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
“He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” Psalm 145:19 (NIV)
“Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 (NLT)
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
“whose fate is destruction, whose god is their belly [their worldly appetite, their sensuality, their vanity], and whose glory is in their shame—who focus their mind on earthly and temporal things.” Philippians 3:19 (AMP)
“People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things.” Romans 8:5 (CEV)
God is pleased and blesses us when we prioritize correctly
When God told King Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted and he would give it to him (1 Kings 3:5), Solomon asked for wisdom and a discerning heart (1 Kings 3:9). God was pleased with Solomon’s priorities and gave him above and beyond what he asked.
“The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies—I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.” 1 Kings 3:10-14 (NLT)
Take Some Practical Steps to Identify Idolatry in Your Own Life:
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First, pray and ask God to reveal the idols which may be hiding in your life.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you anything to which you may be “excessively devoted”, anything that you might be elevating to a higher place than it ought to be. Ask him to show you the “obsessions”, “gods”, “idols”, and “churches” in your life.
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Then, you can also do some self-evaluation.
What do you treasure? Where is your heart set? Is it set upon God or upon earthly pleasures, desires, or hobbies?
How can you even tell where your heart is set? Consider these questions… What consumes your energy and time? Where do you spend significant amounts of your money? What do you spend a lot of time thinking about? What do you passionately pursue? Could these things potentially be idols?
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Finally, if or when you’ve identified idols in your own life, repent and seek God for your next step.
He may ask you to give up something (either temporarily or permanently). It might be that he just asks you to cut back on some of the “excessive devotion”. Furthermore, he may ask you to spend some time seeking him more than you do that “idol”, to make HIM your ultimate. Remember, when you make God and his will your priority, he will bless you more than you can even imagine and give you the desires of your heart.
What are some modern day idols that God has revealed to you? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below!
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- Wegman, Hannah. “Modern Day Idolatry: Putting Anything Before God.” The Christian Post, The Christian Post, www.christianpost.com/news/modern-day-idolatry-putting-anything-before-god.html. ↑
- Wax, Trevin. “Counterfeit Gods: Tim Keller Takes On Our Idols.” The Gospel Coalition, The Gospel Coalition, 29 Oct. 2017, www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/counterfeit-gods-tim-keller-takes-on-our-idols/. ↑
