Understanding Idolatry in Today's Context

Idolatry Or even a thought Minister Martin Jones - April 8, 2025 1

In this study family, we are going to take a brief look at idolatry. Not a new word for us but one that we need to be reminded of at times AMEN. We are going to: Define it Look at examples in the Old Testament Look at some things that can be idols present day. Challenge ourselves to identify 1 or 2 idols in our lives and pray by move of the Holy Spirit to be able to turn from them. In an hour or so we are going to just scratch the surface. The purpose is to get us to think about what idols are currently in our lives. So when we hear the word Idolatry what comes to mind??????? First we have to look at the root word Idol (please write what you think below) Idol ________________________________________________________________ Idolatry_____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 2

Family Idolatry bottom line, is one thing that really ticks GOD off. There are tons of scripture that show GOD s vengeance towards idolatry. We oftentimes look at if from an Old Testament point of view, but idolatry can sneak up on us and hem us up in our everyday lives. Idolatry is, unfortunately, alive and thriving this very day AMEN. Idolatry is a word that oftentimes we don t think about; but we can be wrapped up in it and sometimes not realize it. Idolatrous behavior is sneaky at times because it can make us feel comfortable and there is no accountability. We create idols to get something from and not to be accountable to them. It s almost like we expect the idol to be accountable to us. AMEN GOD is who we are accountable to. Yes we know this but here are some reminders: Exodus 20:1-6, Nahum 1:2 , Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, 2nd Corinthians 5:10 How about this family? We have to be careful with idols we bow to, worship, give time to, adore, give our love to, give our passion and heart to, and so on .. 3

What we just mentioned (bow, worship, time, etc.) should be given to GOD Himself AMEN. So, if we are not careful, sometimes in our lives, we will even put idols ahead of GOD in our hearts. It cannot be seen but most of the time it is acted out by what we do. Oftentimes we are oblivious to them. Idols/Idolatrous behavior can: Control us Make decisions for us Hide itself from you view Lead us away from GOD Bring GOD s wrath down Cause an Ungodly pursuit of something Etc. . Ultimately, all of those idols are going to let us down. They are going to disappoint us and they are only going to be a source of frustration. This is actually good news. Why?--- Hmm. Because GOD doesn t want us to worship those things. He wants us to worship HIM alone. 4

Idols/Idolatry can be defined in several different ways, but bottom line it is anything that you worship or devote to that replaces GOD. It can be obvious. Sometimes we have idols and we don t consider them idols. Idol In the Old Testament typical idols were physical objects, statues etc. that represented a little g god object. The people were expecting something specific from the god. ( example - Rain, harvest, fertility) It can be anything, person , entity, etc ... that we put before or along side GOD. Idolatry The manifestation of this idol into worship to it.. Webster The worship of idols, images, or any thing made by hand or which is not of GOD. 5 What we are desiring from the idol, we should be desiring from GOD -AMEN

5 Examples in the Old Testament (infinitely more)GOD got ticked off. Baal and Ashsteroth - Baal (god of fertility and rain) , Ashstaroth (god of fertility and war) Judges 2:10-15 Hot Hebrew word charah (khaw-rah) to blaze up or anger, zeal, jealous Golden calf - Exodus 32: 1-14 the people soon forgot what GOD had done for them Red Sea (14:21), Quail and Manna (16:11), Water from the Rock (17:5), Amalek battle (17:8) etc. Baal-peor (god of the Moabite people worshipped on Mount Peor) Numbers 25:1-9 Dagon (god of agriculture and fertility) Judges 16:21-31 Molech (god of Ammonites, descendants of Lot) Leviticus 20: 1-5 - Child Sacrifices 6

So lets break it down this idolatrous behavior. What is it? It can be an infinite amount of things, right? It is not just an Old Testament thing You may be saying to yourself, I don t worship any false god. Ok - but do we????? Here are 3 thought starters: It can be your heart wondering away from GOD We forget our first love. This is where it starts. Revelation 2:4-5 Ezekiel 14:1-6 The minute your resource is elevated to become a competing source (or even your main source) you have a little g god.(idol) Dr. Tony Evans Have you been in a situation or currently there, where GOD was or is not the centerpiece in your life and you were leaning on something else as your joy and strength? Well, whatever that thing was or is, that is an idol Ouch .. Examples_______________________________ 7

Your Trust is in the idol and not GOD Isaiah 42:17 Habakukk 2:18 We can put our trust in something expecting it to satisfy us. Instead of putting our trust in GOD. Examples_____________________________________________________________ We worship the idol Isaiah 44:15 and 17 Jonah 2:8 How do we worship this idol? We look to something for satisfaction but not through GOD. Examples___________________________________________________________________ We must be careful in these areas. This is not all-inclusive but these are the key areas. As we said earlier, GOD is the source of all of our resources. Sometimes we can get so intertwined in an idol, we can be in denial of its effect on our Christian walk. We don t see our heart falling , our trust in the wrong spot and our worship in the wrong place. 8

Example- Sometimes we can be in a relationship and show signs of our heart in the wrong spot. We can trust in another person and in some ways worship them more than GOD. Our heart creates countless idols that distract from our walk with GOD. Cars Grades Promotions Self-image People Relationships Houses Marriage Athletics Politics Achievement Sex Bank accounts, etc. can function as idols. 9 .

Family none of these things are idols in and of themselves. Our human hearts can turn them into idols Remember, idolatry serves in whatever it can; to set us apart from GOD. Here is the issue we are trying to gain from the idol that which only GOD can give because he is The SOURCE. People will serve, sacrifice and worship these idols as long as they believe that the idol will fulfill their desires. We try to gain such things as : Joy Identity Love Peace Security Acceptance Etc. (just to name a few) GOD has these covered Psalms 16:11; John 15:11 Ephesians 2:10; John 1:12 Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:16 Philippians 4:7; John 14:27 Psalms 46:1; Deuteronomy 31:6 Romans 15:7 10

What are some ways we can prevent ourselves from falling into idolatrous tendencies? Colossians 3: 1- 17 Be honest. Admit there is a problem - Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9 It s not about us , but it s all about CHRIST - 2 Corinthians 5:14 -15 Seek help from Christian friends that will be honest and ones you can trust Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Proverbs 17:7 Listen to criticism with an open heart Proverbs 15:31-32; Proverbs 19:2 11

Be real with yourself. Write down 2 things that you feel are creeping up on you as an idol or is already an idol in your life. 1._____________________________________________________________________ 2._____________________________________________________________________ Now since you have taken the step to identify them, be in prayer to turn away from them back to GOD - AMEN 12