Idolatry: Exposing Lies, Uncovering Truth

Have you ever come across media that felt like something was off? Nothing was inherently bad, but it just didn’t hit the right way. This is true with a lot of popular culture that we encounter today. It might not have outright objectionable elements in it, but the closer we inspect it, we will discover the underlying lies it is spreading. This is why it’s so important to diligently know God’s Word because when things are more closely aligned with our current reality, it’s much harder to distinguish right from wrong. The saying goes: “The best lie is one wrapped in truth.”

As you interact with popular culture, be alert for their worldly influences. What do they paint as false, ugly, and perverse? Poor attitudes and even subtle sins are surface-level symptoms of a heart alienated from God. Sin emerges when a created thing is used or abused. Evil happens when something is bent towards an evil purpose. It should be no surprise that popular culture has been distorted by sin. The question is: Will we be able to detect and call it out?

When watching or listening, try to discern where worship is directed. What are characters desiring or living for? What are their lives centered around? Do immoral acts have consequences? We must discern how these sinful things are used and what kind of world they fit into. Make it a point to uncover inconsistencies between what something promises and what it delivers.

The Bible regularly includes ugly, sinful details to uncover the truth. With that same stroke, it shows us the destructiveness of those choices. Stories like these weave throughout both the Old and New Testaments, using the brokenness to make room for God’s ultimate redemption story.

Even when something seems safe, it’s wise to utilize discernment and make sure there are no little lies in it. We must be the keepers of our hearts and recognize when we are weak or prone to certain sins. In doing so, we will watch over what we allow our eyes and ears to see, keeping our hearts clean. We keep our distance when we point out idolatry.

We must also realize that most of the time, it isn’t culture “out there” that we need to be watchful of, but even more importantly, it’s what’s inside our own hearts that we need to be watchful over. We need to allow God’s Word to be the sieve through which we sift popular culture’s messages.

Today’s Challenge: Open your eyes to the distortion sin has caused in the world around you. Ask God to point out false and perverse things you’ve allowed to infiltrate and reside in your heart through popular culture. Is there music or a TV show that is leaving the door open for sin to take root?