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Day Two – Loving The Gifts More Than The Giver

What constitutes a counterfeit god or object of worship? Martin Luther’s says, “whatever your heart clings to and relies upon, that is your God.”

While idolatry manifests externally, it originates internally. As Christians we commonly ask people if they have accepted Jesus in their hearts; the counterfeit is people who “have taken their idols into their hearts.”

God made us to worship Him by enjoying everyone and everything that He graciously provides for us. Satan wants us to love the gifts more than their Giver.

Because He sees behind the natural into the spiritual forces at work propping up entertainment, politics, sports, education, and various spiritualities and religions, God repeatedly connects idolatry with the demonic. Demonic powers will make the worship of idols profitable, pleasurable, and preferable to worshipping the real God. Pagan practices have never really been updated because they remain constant best sellers—sex, money, power, fame, beauty, comfort, and the like never go out of demand.

The jealousy of God is mentioned frequently in the Bible. Jealousy happens when someone is in our place. God loves us, and when we love someone or something instead of Him, He feels much like married people would feel if they came home to have dinner with their spouse and found the person their spouse is committing adultery with sitting in their seat at the family table.