The First Commandments is “you shall have no other Gods.” God alone is God. There is no other. He alone is holy, righteous, and just. There is nothing that compares. Nothing that even comes close.
But our hearts are idol factories. We try to put other things in the place of God. We use these things in an attempt to find satisfaction and contentment. But it is said that God created us all with a God-sized hole in our hearts. As much as we try to fill that hole with other things, there is only one thing that will fill it. But that does not stop us from trying.
The idols we make include pleasures, experiences, material possessions, status, achievement, and more. The only problem is that when we come to possess these idols we are left wanting more.
A great danger is when we make idols out of people. We put people on a pedestal. This happens in marriage. We are infatuated with that other person. They are the best thing ever. But it doesn’t take long to realize that the other person is human. If we put them on too high a pedestal the more we are hurt when they inevitably fall off that pedestal.
Idolatry can happen in churches. There are personalities, people, programs, and places. There is a danger when we make our faith about these things.
- Personalities. There is an engaging pastor that you adore. But that pastor eventually retires or worse has a moral lapse. The new pastor is not the same as the old pastor and you find yourself more disconnected.
- People. You make friends at church. You enjoy being with these people. But people move on and move away. Again you find yourself disconnected.
- Programs. This is a Bible study, a small group, an annual event, a certain service that is traditional or maybe contemporary. But some changes take place. The program is no longer offered or is different. Again you find yourself disconnected.
- Places. This is a building or a property. I am preaching at the church where I served my first call this summer. They are celebrating their 250th Anniversary. Over the storied history of that church, the location has changed several times. But it is still the same church. We may have fond memories of places we got married, or had children were baptized, or said goodbye to loved ones. But we know the church is not made of brick and mortar.
All these things are important things, but they are not the most important thing. The things we make idols of are not always bad things. Most of the time they are good things. It’s just that they are not the greatest thing. Don’t confuse great things for God things.
Kim says
Such a great perspective and so needed right now.
Lucy Sack says
This helps with some disillusionment I have experienced lately. Thank you.
Michael says
The wonderful benefit of studying God’s Word is that you gradually and finally understand who He is. God speaks directly to us in the Old Testament as He shows us His majesty, his power and holiness. He requires and desires to be first.