Intention:
Idolatry takes what is God's and gives it to Satan!
Scripture:
Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21 NKJV).
Reflection:
We are idolaters when we let any person or thing take the place of God in our heart.
That
may be ourselves, friends, parents, spouse, work, ministry,
possessions, fame, money, sex, pleasure, the media, culture, fashion,
dead relatives, political power, an ideology, technology, religion
without Christ, or things such as rivers, mountains, animals, sun, moon,
stars, animals, etc. Idolatry includes sorcery, witchcraft, divination,
astrology, fortune-telling, initiation to cults, secret societies, and
covenants with demons, and many other such practices.
Individuals,
families, tribes, whole countries and cultures practice idolatry. It is
clear that it is not only the uncivilized tribal peoples that may be
guilty of idolatry. 21st century technology driven cultures are no less
culpable.
Idolaters
declare that they hate God and so provoke His jealousy and anger. It
results in curse. It opens the door for Satan to rule. It brings only
progressive destruction to those engaged in it as Romans 1:18-32 proves.
Can
believers in Christ be guilty of idolatry? Yes! Otherwise why would the
New Testament give so many warnings on the subject? I believe that
idolatry among professing Christians may be more insulting to God than
that practiced by children of disobedience. Idolatry among professing
Christians may be the one thing that hinders revival in the world today!
Yet there is hope if we will take this counsel to repent given by James to "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you
double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning
and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will
lift you up" (James 4:7-10 NIV).
Prayer:
O
God, we kneel before you today in confessing idolatry in our lives. We
own up to the many ways we have allowed things, even ministry or church
to take Your place in our hearts. Father we do not want to continue to
insult You in this. Forgive us. Break down and smash every idol that
robs you of your glory. We welcome you to rule in our hearts without any
rivals. We pray in the name of our Lord Jesus. Amen
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