Tag: Idolatry

Ignoring God’s Warnings? Why Defiance Leads to Disaster

In Jeremiah 44:16-17, the people of Judah blatantly refuse to listen to the prophet’s warnings. They declare their intention to continue worshiping the “Queen of Heaven,” a pagan deity, despite knowing the consequences of their idolatry. This brazen attitude—choosing their own way over God’s commands—is strikingly similar to what we see in modern times. People often reject God’s Word, preferring to follow their desires or the cultural norms that make them feel more comfortable.

Similarly, in Ezekiel 33:21-33, we see another tragic example of misplaced trust. After hearing of Jerusalem’s fall, the people still do not repent. Instead, they continue to seek security in all the wrong places, including aligning themselves with enemies of God. The idea of trying to hide from God’s judgment in the arms of His enemies is tragically laughable, yet it reflects a deep spiritual blindness.

Fast forward to today, and the same attitudes persist. How often do people refuse to accept Biblical truths, choosing instead to live according to their own desires or societal trends? This is evident in countless ways—whether it’s justifying sin, ignoring God’s commands, or reshaping Christianity to fit modern sensibilities. The refusal to listen to God’s Word is as dangerous now as it was then, leading to spiritual ruin.

Moreover, just as the people of Judah sought refuge in the arms of God’s enemies, many today seek comfort or security in places that are directly opposed to God’s will. It might be in harmful relationships, unethical practices, or ideologies that stand in stark contrast to Biblical principles. This attempt to find safety or fulfillment outside of God’s will is as futile and destructive now as it was for the Israelites.

The lessons from Jeremiah and Ezekiel are clear: Rejecting God’s Word and seeking refuge in the wrong places lead only to disaster. The folly of trying to hide from God in the arms of His enemies is a timeless warning. As believers, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to God, listening to His Word and finding our security in Him alone.

Perverting Worship

Worship is more than singing songs or performing rituals; it is the expression of our reverence, love, and obedience to God. True worship is rooted in the recognition of God’s holiness, majesty, and authority. It involves aligning our hearts and actions with God’s will, living in a way that honors Him.

In Ezekiel 8, we see a vivid example of how Israel perverted worship. God gave Ezekiel a vision of the temple in Jerusalem, where idolatrous practices were being conducted in secret. The people had turned the temple, the very place dedicated to God’s holy presence, into a house of idols. The leaders and priests, who were supposed to guide the people in true worship, were themselves engaged in corrupt practices. They thought they could hide their sins, saying, “The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land” (Ezekiel 8:12, NLT). But God did see, and He was grieved by how they had desecrated His sanctuary.

This passage serves as a warning to us today. While we may not bow to physical idols, we can still fall into the trap of idolatry. Anything that takes the place of God in our lives—whether it be success, money, relationships, or even religious traditions—can become an idol. We must be vigilant in examining our hearts and our worship practices to ensure that they are truly centered on God.

Jesus emphasized that true worshipers will worship the Father in “spirit and truth” (John 4:24, NLT). This means our worship must be sincere, coming from a heart that is fully devoted to God, and it must be in accordance with His truth as revealed in Scripture. Let us strive to keep our worship pure and focused on God alone, avoiding the mistakes of Israel by not allowing anything to corrupt our devotion to Him.

Invaluable

In today’s reading from 2 Kings 23:1-28 and 2 Chronicles 34:29-35:19, we see King Josiah’s zealous reforms in Judah. His commitment to God is evident as he destroys items associated with idol worship. Despite their material value, these objects were detestable to him because they were dedicated to other gods. Rather than repurpose or sell these valuable artifacts, Josiah chose to obliterate them completely. This action teaches us about prioritizing spiritual integrity over material wealth.

Josiah’s actions underscore the importance of aligning our values with God’s will. The cultural and historical context of these artifacts didn’t justify their continued existence in Josiah’s eyes. He recognized that their presence, no matter how valuable in human terms, was a direct affront to God. This radical approach calls us to evaluate our lives and identify anything that could be a stumbling block to our faith. It could be habits, relationships, or pursuits that detract from our devotion to God.

Josiah’s decision to destroy the idols rather than repurpose them shows his commitment to spiritual purity. This principle applies to our own lives. If something, no matter how valuable, leads us away from God, it is better to remove it completely. By doing so, we create space for God’s presence and blessings to flourish, just as Josiah’s reforms led to a renewed covenant with the Lord and a period of spiritual revival in Judah.

Reflection Questions:

What valuable things in your life might be leading you away from your commitment to God?
How can you prioritize spiritual integrity over material wealth?
Are there habits or relationships that you need to reconsider in light of your faith?

We Become What We Worship

I was floored reading Psalm 135 this morning. Particularly verses 15-18. For the sake of completeness of understanding, here are those verses (in the New Living Translation):

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.

Look at how the idol is described. It has a mouth that cannot speak. Ears that cannot hear. Eyes that cannot see. And its worshippers are ‘just like them’. Wow. It’s so simple and yet so deeply profound! How have I never seen it before!? We become what we worship. Not that we turn into an idol, or money, or status, but we begin to adopt the traits of those things! Think about it…

Money & wealth promise happiness and contentment, but cannot actually deliver on those things. And we see that the people who idolize money can appear successful and even draw envy, but they lack contentment and purpose. Money never leads to satisfaction. If you aren’t satisfied with a small amount of money, you could never be happy with a tremendous amount of money.

Celebrity & fame promise a glamorous and enviable life, but it has just as many downsides as upside. Followers of celebrities may adopt a glamorous exterior but struggle with their own identity and sense of worth, becoming superficial and disconnected from authentic relationships and deeper values. Jim Carrey famously said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.”

Power & influence command attention and authority but can be quickly corrupted and become tyrannical. Those who seek power often become authoritarian and manipulative, losing their moral compass and becoming isolated, much like the corrupt nature of the power they idolize.

Technology & gadgets promise connectivity and convenience but often leads to distraction and detachment. People obsessed with technology may become highly connected online but disconnected in real life, leading to shallow interactions and a lack of meaningful relationships, mirroring the superficial connectivity of their devices.

Physical appearance focuses on outward beauty and strength but neglects spiritual health and well-being. Individuals who idolize physical appearance may achieve outward attractiveness but suffer from internal insecurities and even health issues, mirroring the superficial focus on looks rather than overall wellness.Success & achievements promise recognition and fulfillment but can lead to burnout and emptiness. Those who chase success may achieve high status and accolades but often feel exhausted and unfulfilled, as their worth becomes tied to achievements rather than their status as children of God.

Pleasure and Entertainment offer immediate gratification but lack lasting satisfaction and depth. Individuals who seek constant pleasure may enjoy temporary highs but feel a deep sense of emptiness and lack of purpose, mirroring the fleeting and shallow nature of their pursuits. There is a reason this is called “escapism”.

New Age Spirituality & Self-Help promise enlightenment and self-improvement but lacks a foundation of truth. Followers may feel enlightened and empowered but often remain spiritually ungrounded and confused, reflecting the elusive and inconsistent nature of these practices. Talk about being blown about by the wind!

Political Ideologies and Leaders present solutions and direction but can lead to division and extremism. Those who idolize political ideologies may become polarized and intolerant, losing sight of unity and compassion, mirroring the divisive and rigid nature of their political beliefs and neglecting the Biblical call to love even our enemies!

Nature and the Environment worship is seen as pure and life-giving but is often indifferent and harsh. People who idolize nature may become overly critical of humanity and disconnected from progress, reflecting the sometimes indifferent and unforgiving aspects of the natural world.

Contrast this with how Christians who follow the God revealed in the Bible come to embody His traits in their daily lives. Just as God is characterized by unconditional love, Christians learn to love others selflessly, showing compassion, forgiveness, and kindness, as emphasized in 1 John 4:8 and John 3:16. This love is not conditional or based on merit but flows from a heart transformed by God’s own love.

Holiness is another key attribute of God that Christians strive to emulate. As God is holy and set apart from sin (1 Peter 1:15-16), believers seek to live lives that are morally and spiritually pure, avoiding behaviours and thoughts that dishonour God and lead to worse outcomes for themselves! This pursuit of holiness is a reflection of their desire to be like the God they worship, dedicating themselves to His service and glory.

Faithfulness and trustworthiness are also central to God’s nature (Deuteronomy 7:9), and Christians aim to be reliable and steadfast in their commitments, both to God and to others. This faithfulness is demonstrated through consistent trust in God’s promises and a steadfast adherence to His Word, even in challenging circumstances.

Mercy and grace, seen in God’s dealings with humanity (Ephesians 2:4-5), are mirrored in the lives of Christians as they forgive those who wrong them and extend kindness, even to those who may not deserve it. This reflection of God’s mercy helps Christians build communities marked by forgiveness and reconciliation.

In embodying these attributes—love, holiness, faithfulness, mercy, and grace—Christians reflect the character of God, standing in contrast to those who idolize and become like the empty, unfulfilling pursuits described in Psalm 135. Their transformation is a testimony to the profound impact of worshiping a living and active God, rather than lifeless idols.