Idolatry

Idolatry is the worship of idols, images or anything that is not God*. Idolatry today takes the form of trusting in things like money, career success, pleasure, relationships, comfort, personal image or security. Anything we rely on more than God becomes an idol, even if it seems good on the surface.

When we depend on idols to secure our future or define our worth, we turn away from the work of Jesus and place our hope in “lying vanities” – things that promise fulfillment but can never truly satisfy. (Jonah 2:8) When we reject the truth of God’s Word, we are rejecting Jesus’ sacrifice and all He won for us at the cross- provision, protection and peace. Rejecting or judging God’s Word as implausible, causes us to remove ourselves from Jesus’ protective covering. This allows God the Father to see our sins and thus the consequence of our sins fall on us. Inevitably we make life so much harder for ourselves.

Idolatry of Jonah

Jonah idolized comfort more than doing as God had requested. But God got Jonah’s attention and tossed him into the ocean and then he ended up in the belly of a whale.

As Jonah prayed from the belly of the fish:

“Those who observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy” (Jonah 2:8, KJV).

Jonah’s story is all too familiar in modern life. When God called him to speak truth to Nineveh, he ran in the opposite direction. We often do the same, when we ignore God’s voice because obedience feels uncomfortable or costly. Like Jonah, we can be tempted to trust in our own plans, comfort or fears rather than in God’s wisdom. But just as Jonah’s disobedience led to distress, so too do our choices, when we rely on our own understanding instead of God’s will. Remember Eve in the Garden of Eden, she couldn’t understand why she couldn’t eat that fruit. The consequence of her arrogance was costly- she missed out on God’s blessings.

We see this again in the story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1–9). The people of that time wanted to “make a name for themselves” a pursuit that we have all had if we are honest. Whether it’s building a personal brand, chasing career success at any cost, or seeking validation through social media and public approval, the drive to elevate ourselves apart from God is still deeply rooted in human nature. Like Babel, when we build our lives on pride and self-sufficiency, we reject Jesus’ abundance and we are left to suffer the consequences of our own choices, not only that, our work load increases.

Modern Idolatry Ruins Families

Modern idolatry is subtle, but just as dangerous. When we chase success without God, we burn out, sustain health issues and ruin relationships with the people we love: our children and spouse. When we seek pleasure without God, we grow empty and constantly need more fun or entertainment to fill us up. When we value image over character we feel hollow. And when we rely on money, status or security we are shaken when those things fail or end. Many times we will end up using our hard earned money to pay a divorce attorney and furnish a new home. Plus the family problems increase after divorce due to sharing children and perhaps step parents.

But there is Good News. God sent His Son Jesus, that whomever believes in Him can be covered by His blood and be protected from the evils in this world. The protection seems subtle, other people may be having major issues with their children, but because you focused on your family rather than the idol of money, status or pleasure, your family is close and protected by God. Family issues become minimal and peace reigns when we do things God’s way.

God’s way is simple- He provided a way to a safe, protected abundant life, all we need to do is slow down, refrain from chasing after any idol and let God perform His Word in our lives. He tells us He will never leave us or forsake us. We can stand on His word and rest, knowing that if we stay in the center of God’s will, we will have enough of everything.

On the other hand, whatever money, status or self image we aquire from our own pursuits will indeed end and we are left with fractured relationships. Neglecting people for the pursuit of more than enough money, status, pleasure or security will not profit us. God never allows any idol to trump Him long term.

Idols Do Not Relieve Anxiety

Idols like money, career success or personal achievement cannot relieve anxiety or keep us healthy. We might see our retirement accounts grow or our paychecks increase, but if we are ignoring God’s way in the process, we leave ourselves spiritually and bodily unprotected. As a result, we may face expensive or stressful problems that could have been avoided through obedience to God’s wisdom. It’s not uncommon to see the extra income from a second job or dual income household slowly disappear into the costs of managing the negative effects on our health and family. All things that we could’ve avoided by following God’s way.

Jesus taught us that the greatest commandments are to:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).

Loving others includes how we care for our own families, especially our children. When parents, partiularly mothers, prioritize being present in their children’s lives, it sends a clear message: You are loved. You are valued. You are safe.

A mother who stays close to home is not just a caregiver- she is a watchful shepherd, a safe haven and a spiritual guard over her household. Her presence can offer security even when a child away at college feels like he/she is drowning and stressed beyond what they can handle. If the child knows the mom is at home most days of the week they may decide a phone call home will be answered and fruitful.

Her presence can offer security to not only her own children but to their friends as well. Teenagers who find themselves in troubling situations at parties under peer pressure or facing moral decisions are more likely to make wise choices when they know someone is at home. These quiet, often unnoticed acts of love can prevent serious problems before they start.

When we put our children first and work minimally in order to be their much needed security throughout the formative years (including high school), we develop children who feel valued. The subtleties of a mostly stay at home mom creating a loving home and watching over her flock and the friends of her “flock” is vital to cut off problems at the pass. Yet modern society thinks of motherhood as a menial job that rots the intelligence of our highly educated women.

Modern Culture Pushes Idolatry

Our modern culture often diminishes the role of motherhood, treating it as a lesser calling or a waste of talent. Society suggests that highly educated or capable women should be chasing careers above all else, as though nurturing a home and raising the next generation of Christ followers is somehow beneath them. This is a lie of the enemy. Scripture honors the role of women who care for their households. Proverbs 31 describes a wise woman as strong, capable and deeply influential- not just in business but in her home where her children call her blessed. (Proverbs 31:28)

The truth is, building a God honoring home is the most powerful kingdom impacting ministry. Our children are more likely to raise their children in the same manner as they were taught and we change future generations for Christ. This lifestyle may not gain applause from the world, but it keeps us under the protective covering of Jesus’ blood. It also bestows on us the peace of Christ, a life of abundance and a more sane lifestyle which leads to better health. These benefits far outweigh a raise in salary and the accolades of the world. And remember, we never need to worry about our provision, because if we are following God’s way, Scripture states:

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”(Heb 13:5)

Idolize Jesus

Jesus is our model. Jesus is our King.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”(Phil 2:5-7)

True faith causes our focus to shift from human approval to divine approval. The way of Christ is downward before it is upward. It is the path of humility, service and self denial. It is to be faithful in obscurity, unseen by the world but at peace knowing we are aligning our life with God’s way. Our culture is obsessed with being honored, but heaven honors those who forget themselves, putting others first.

“How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”(John 5:44)

If Jesus came to the earth as a humble carpenter turned donkey riding Messiah. In His humility He was mocked, doubted, abused and beaten to the point of death. Therefore, why do we think it’s necessary to create a name for ourselves through the honor and the praise of men?

Food for thought,

Lisa