Who is Your Idol?

 

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know  that you have eternal life.  This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us- whatever we ask- we know that we have what we asked of him.  If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he  should pray and God will give him life.  I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death.  I am not saying that he  should pray about that.  All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.  We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.  We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.  And we are in him who is true- even in his Son Jesus Christ.  He is the true God and eternal life.  Dear children, keep yourselves from idols."  I John 5:13-20

 

Today's verse almost seems like unexpected redirection from the previous verses.  So much so, that it captured my attention and made me ask the question- why is this verse placed here?!  But as I went back over the previous verses, it became more clear to me.  The evil one is constantly trying to drag us away from truth.  Jesus is calling us to life, and Satan is calling us to choose death.  We need the understanding of God to judge between the two.

 

In Biblical times, idols were hand carved or crafted and used as an object of worship.  Growing up in the Bible Belt, I could never relate to someone actually have an object that they paid homage to.  But as more and more religions have been introduced into our society, it seems much less far-fetched than it once did.

 

But still, for most of us, an idol will not be a statue of a cow or a fat little man.  Instead, our idols  are made up of intangibles- power, prestige, acceptance, money, status, recreation, selfishness, the list goes on and on.  Anything that pulls our heart away from God and takes first place in our life is an idol to us. Even a good or positive thing can become an idol. Physical fitness is a good  thing.  But if you become so invested in physical training that you neglect your spiritual training, it becomes an idol.  Couponing is a great tool to save money for your family.  But if you spend five hours a day clipping coupons and dusting your stock pile, rather than attending church service, it is becoming an idol.  The examples are endless.

 

Is there anything in your life that is vying for God's place in your time, affection or priorities?  If so, begin to realign your life so that God is at the top of your list and the center of the wheel that turns your life.

 

 

Dear Lord, show me anything that has become more important to me than you.  Forgive me for allowing the evil one to entice and drag me away.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

If you have been following this blog for quite some time, congratulations!  We have just completed all of I John!  Thank you for taking the journey with me.

 

Sherri