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Let It Go

Idolatry. It’s one of those words that most of us never want to even whisper much less claim as our own sin. Yet, if idolatry is defined by worshipping anyone or anything other than God, aren’t we all guilty of it at some time or another?

I know I am! I’ve worshiped my “to do” list, using it to make myself feel better about my accomplishments at the expense of joining God in the work He’s put before me. I can’t even count the times I put off a loved one, in order to get one more thing done. Yes, in my perspective, that’s idolatry because I was more devoted to the thing I was physically doing than to heeding the Holy Spirit’s prompting to pause and show some much needed love to the person standing in front of me.

Can you think of a time in which your agenda trumped God’s? Could that be a form of worshiping “your thing” over worshipping God?

I’ve also been guilty of worshipping my space, too. Too often, the tidiness of my home is more important than making a space in which my family can live comfortably. You can imagine how I might implode over a pig sty, which by the way, has never actually looked like a pig sty. “What others will think of me?” is really the underlying idol in the middle of that said pig sty, as I worship my reputation rather than serving my family in love.

Oh, this idolatry thing is subtle, and chances are that we can point it out more easily in others than in ourselves. So before you go on an idol-search elsewhere, take time to seek God and ask this honest question: Lord, what I am tempted to worship—as in devote my time, money, and energy towards—more than you?

Trap and Transform

1. What are your thoughts about idolatry, especially as it relates to you personally?

2. In what ways do you struggle with idolatry?

3. How can you begin to battle idolatry in your life?