(1 John 5:21)
Idolatry is always near the Christian and the Church, seeking ways to distract and seduce. It is the fake, the fraud, the pretender and seducer; as near as a thought and as deceptive as an emotion. Idolatry bids us to look at it; just a glance – what’s the harm; just a few minutes of our time – what could it hurt? Idolatry promises anything, and then takes everything. Idolatry deceives and clothes itself in dazzling glitter or in unpretentious rags, whichever will attract, charm and fascinate best.
The Lord gives good and perfect gifts and blessings; but blessing, benefit, joy, talent, friendship, hobby, job, family, can mutate into an idol if they become the object of our love and affections in any way contrary to the Word of God. Our hearts, even as Christ’s children, are deceptive and cannot be trusted in any way. So much so that when trials, sickness, affliction, or persecution come, if we are not careful the eyes of faith may grow weak and glance away from Christ and inward. How easy it can be to reason within our own minds that God is not “taking care of His business”. If our pleas and prayers “seem” to have no response from our “delaying” God, we can so focus on our self and our circumstances that those blessings of the past melt into the past, and something new stirs in our thoughts, something made from the desires and rationalizing of SELF. Instead of persevering in trust, prayer and obedience, we can become restless.
When the people of Israel had been delivered miraculously from Egypt they left with the riches of Egypt and shouts of joy. They saw the Red Sea open for them and drown their pursuing enemies. They were led and provided for by God Himself and Moses His servant. After only a three month journey, Israel camped in front of Mount Sinai. Moses went up the mountain and remained there for forty days as God spoke to him and gave instructions and Law to govern the people of God.
But, Israel became restless. Moses delayed longer than they thought he should, so they turned their thoughts away from their God who had never failed them. Instead, they questioned whether Moses was even coming back to them. The self-centered people looked to have a replacement god made for them; one they could see and focus on, and adore; one that could make them feel good. They willingly gave up their golden jewelry to Aaron for the making of an idol, — a molten calf of gold. They loved it, got up early, brought their offerings, sat down in fellowship together and ate and drank; and, they reveled in its presence. They called it their deliverer and sacrificed before it on an altar made by Aaron. “…And Aaron made a proclamation and said, ‘Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD. So the next day they rose early and offered burnt offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.” (see Exodus 32)
The price Israel paid for turning away from God, dishonoring His Name, and perverting worship was a heavy one. The first seeker-sensitive church, the Church of the Golden Calf, delivered only misery and death to those who sang and danced in it.
Think Scripturally about everything. Every blessing, as well as every trial, can become an idol if we turn our eyes of faith away from Christ and His Word. If the loves and pleasures in life become the focus and center of life, they have become an idol. If the Lord allows us to remain at the altar of any idol, it will not be long before it becomes a demon. Treat an idol like a god, and it will become a demon.
Christ sits as King over all things, and as Vance Havner once said, “Christ never comes next.” All things are His servants and find true meaning only in Him. Like the hub of a wagon wheel, He is center and all the other parts proceed out from Him. Like spokes of the wheel, all of the things of life and eternity must find their anchor and purpose in that attachment to Him. Our doctrines and world views must be anchored to and constantly looking to Him. How we enjoy and use everything must be according to His Word and for His glory. Nothing should be loved at the expense of our love for Christ; and, we love Him too little if our other loves do not find meaning and purpose in our love of Him.
“…we shall not be well so long as we love and admire anything more than we love and admire God.” –C.S. Lewis