In today’s age, the word idolatry can translate to distractions. Anything that steals our time away from God, or anything we prioritize before God.
According to the online dictionary’s definition, we can idolize or worship an image or a person, including a singer.
As we get older, idolatry easily sneaks into our lives as we get bombarded with more and more responsibilities. Without noticing, we begin to neglect our relationship with God and start focusing on other things. After all, there are goals we need to meet and things we need to buy.
Sometimes those distractions overtake our lives and cause stress and panic attacks. But that’s why the Bible tells us God should be our top priority. He is the only one who deserves worship, and putting him first will align everything else.
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
Exodus 20:3
While this commandment was told to the Israelites in the Old Testament, God requires the same commitment from us.
Exodus 34:14 says, “Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”
Idolatry examples
There are two types of idols: physical idols and idolatry that come from the heart.
The Bible tells us that gluttony is a form of idol. When we turn to food to feel better, then we’re letting our stomach know that it’s in control of us. If food is stealing valuable time from accomplishing other responsibilities, including bible reading and prayer, then it’s possible we’ve allowed our stomach to become a god.
“Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”
Philippians 3:19
Other forms of idolatry include desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and pride of life, according to 1 John 2:16.
Scripture also says we must not worship physical idols or anything made by human hands.
Psalm 135:13-18 says, “The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”
The dangers and consequences of idol worship
The Bible explains clearly how we must choose wisely who we will worship because we are constrained on time. There’s only room for one God in our lives.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Matthew 6:24
Scripture confirms how our body is a temple, in other words, it’s sacred so we must guard ourselves by seeking righteousness and not staining our temple through idolatry.
Exodus 23:13 says: “Be careful to do everything I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips.”
After all, God’s word explains that idols are demons themselves.
“Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?”
1 Corinthians 10:19-22
Breaking the chains of idolatry
1 Corinthians 10:14 says: “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.”
Just like other sins, to avoid falling into the trap of idolatry, we must flee from it. And for idols that we can’t gain control over, we must fast and pray to break the power it has over us.
“However, this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.”
Matthew 17:21
Let’s remember that we are the bride of Christ, so we must continue to check ourselves to avoid letting idols sneak into our lives. After we’ve gotten rid of the idols, we must devote that time to God and not fill it with other activities,
2 Corinthians 11:2 says: “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.”
Prayer of repentance
Dear God,
I’ve fallen into the trap of this world by putting my eyes on earthly desires. I repent of my sins and surrender my idols. I ask you to deliver me from what I’ve allowed to take control of my life. I surrender my life to you. I surrender all earthly desires of money, selfish ambition, and gluttony. I only want to serve you, my God. Forgive me, Lord, for allowing other distractions to control me. My time belongs to you, and I ask you to place it under your authority. Forgive me, oh God, and help me seek you first. In the name of Jesus, amen.