Is there an Idol in the House?

I’ve been pondering idols and idolatry. The subject might not be something you’ve considered, but idols are a regular feature in the Bible. The first of the Ten Commandments is “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.” Exodus 20:4 (NLT) In obedience to the first of the Ten Commandments, the Jewish people didn’t create statutes, paintings or make engravings. When you’ve traveled to other regions of the world, you’ve probably seen statuette “idols” in people’s homes, hotels, retail shops and on street corners. Statuette idols are an image or representation of a “god” or holy item, that is worshiped. Americans don’t usually worship statuette idols, but almost all Americans worship idols. Idols are admired, loved, celebrated and served. A person’s idol might be their identity, job, house, car, money, sex, comfort, entertainment, alcohol, or another person. “An idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, and anything that you seek to give you what only God can give.” Tim Keller Jeffery Poor lists these four questions to check for idols in our lives. Where Do I Spend My Time? Where Do I Spend My Money? Where Do I Get My Joy? What’s Always on My Mind? The crazy thing about idols is they are never satisfied; idols constantly demand more and more. King Solomon made an observation about money that applies to every idol in people’s lives. “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!” Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 (NLT) Solomon’s observation can be re-written for any idol. I’ll use “bowling,” as a replacement for money. (I could just as easily use identity, job, house, sex, or entertainment). “Those who love bowling will never have enough. How meaningless to think that bowling brings true happiness! … So what good is bowling—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!” Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 (NLT) Idols prevent people from living the Greatest Commandment – “Love God with ALL your heart, soul, mind and strength.” My mission in life, your mission in life, is to “Love God with ALL!” Is there an idol that you need to get rid of? Don’t wait! The longer a person worships an idol, the tighter the hold it gets on their life.