The term "idol" may sound a bit archaic when applied to modern-day life. When we think about idolatry, we might envision the Exodus story of the Israelites building that big golden calf or the prideful Babylonians building a tower to reach heaven. However, one look around social media or a casual examination of our own thoughts, lives, and behaviors may inarguably shed light on some commonly unrecognized idols in our lives. And unfortunately, the effects of these idols are just as insidious as any Old Testament statue.
An idol is anything that takes priority over God, or God's will, in our lives. Typically, when something takes idol-grade residence in our hearts, we turn to the idol for emotional support, personal validation, or to numb/distract us from pain or discomfort.
An obvious example would be social media. Many people can't even step foot out of bed without reaching for their phone to check their Insta likes, Gmail inbox, or stock levels that have accumulated in the last seven hours. Other sneaky idols are less obvious. A source of romantic affection can become an idol when taking an unhealthy amount of loyalty and attention away from our walk with the Lord. Our appearance can become an idol when our self-worth hinges on a scale number or level of youthfulness.
The list goes on, but what's most important to understand is the innate dangers found in idolatry. Why is God so continually filled with rage when his people build and worship idols throughout biblical history? Is it because he's needy, jealous, or insecure? Anyone who's known Jesus for one nanosecond knows the answer is, of course, not. So then, what's all the fuss about?
The number one reason God forbids and loathes idols is because, quite simply, they hinder our relationship with him. At their worst, they give birth to destructive behavior and, in some extreme cases, destroy our lives. Here's why:
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Esther Pueyo
1. Idols Distance Us from God
The same grievous, protective feelings God emoted watching the Israelites bow to hand-made idols are just as fervent today. He hates idolatry because it keeps us from experiencing the peace, comfort, joy, and freedom that is only found in complete surrender and intimacy with Jesus.
Sure, we may still experience levels of connection, smatterings of blessings, and shreds of peace, but an idol will always hinder true, step-by-step friendship with God and communion with the Holy Spirit. So, if we're addicted to online dating or exercise, we might not have time to be in the Word, sit still long enough to hear God's voice, or take time to worship. Throw in an insatiable appetite for at least three episodes of whatever show or two hours of TikTok'ing, and there's usually very little time to connect with the very source of our comfort, wisdom, and strength.
Substitute in any idol, and we have the same result. Too much side-hustling, stock-market playing, or video gaming will unavoidably eat up the headspace meant to be shared between you and the Lord. This imbalance doesn't hurt God. It affects us. If Jesus is the source of our strength, joy, and peace, our lives will become problematic when all our affection and time is spent elsewhere.
2. Idols Numb the Wounds God Needs to Get At
A dependence on wine or a shopping addiction both render the same result. They numb or distract from pain and stress. Notice most idols, if not all, are not inherently "bad" objects or behaviors. Wine, in moderation, is sanctioned in the Word. Wealth in the form of a nice home, nice clothes, or fun vacations can be considered true blessings from God. It's when we look to these things for comfort, happiness, stability, and self-worth that we start to see problems. It's when people, activities, or possessions become a necessity, where it's commonly difficult to avoid or to say "no" that signals an idol.
When examining your own life for possible idols, remember idols don't want to be found, and they can be easily justified and excused, especially when they've become culturally accepted. So what if we gain a little happiness taking 43 selfies a day or enjoy that relaxing high (or at least the first couple of dopamine hits) after that first (and second, and third) nightly glass of Spanish red? Could be worse, right? God wants us to be happy, right?
No. God wants us to be healed. And if we continually seek solace, comfort bent at the feet of counterfeit gods, He'll never get at the source of our restlessness, sadness, insecurity, and fear. No one likes to admit it, but our idols typically take the place of the only one willing and able to heal every last part of our hearts for good. But more on that later. On to number three.
3. Idols Hinder Our Purpose
I believe the number one reason the enemy has worked so tirelessly at forming idols in our lives is because they always diminish our purpose. For example, if we're making ourselves sick with a sugar or alcohol addiction, we'll feel drained, mentally foggy, and way less focused on our passions and pursuits. It's hard to finish that novel or be a present parent when all we want to do is sleep.
If we're obsessed with our outward appearance, serving the ever-elusive idol of perfectionism, we'll be too exhausted and distracted to focus on that intercessory prayer ministry we've been itching to join. If money is our god, we'll be way too busy obsessively researching stocks and checking our 401K investment levels by the hour to ever be the kind of present parents we're striving to become.
Take some time to consider what activities, mindsets, or behaviors might be hindering you from your dreams and goals. Chances are there may have to be some idol-ditching to move closer to your God-given purposes. Here's how:
Recognizing and Removing:
After searching our hearts for idols, the next step is naming and eradicating them. The destroying of idols was no small undertaking in Bible times. In 2 Kings 23:11-20 King Josiah tore down horse and chariot decorations in the Temple, broke the altars and images of false gods, and even killed the priests of the high places of false gods upon the altars and "burned men's bones upon them" (II Kings 23:11-20). Josiah put away those who were "workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem." (II Kings 23:24)
It sounds extreme, but in my opinion, idol-slaying was easier in those days when they took the form of physical elements. The idolization of women sure is more difficult to spot than a 20,000-pound golden calf atop a hill. And yet, our modern-day idols need to be removed with equal finality.
The only way to remove an idol without letting it return is to give it to God completely. This can take a lot of time, prayer, and an intentional re-dedication of the parts of your heart you've been keeping from Him. We need to repent and then focus more on what we're gaining than what we're "giving up." We're now enjoying a closeness with our Father and all the Holy Spirit's peace, joy, and centeredness our souls have longed for.
Replace the Void with Him
I wish this wasn't the case, but removing an idol from our lives, especially ones that existed for years or decades, takes work and discomfort. We may feel a new, inexplicable restlessness or dissatisfaction we can't quite shake, with our idols now out of reach. The difficult yet healing truth is that we need to sit in our brokenness and lean on Jesus during this time.
If we ignore our pain or emotional distress, we'll simply create a new idol to fill up the emptiness. The only way to neutralize the grip of our former idols is to lay our pain, brokenness, loneliness, anxiety, and yearning at the feet of Jesus. We must spend time in the Word, soaking up his promises and accepting His supernational comfort and peace. This could take weeks, months, and sometimes even years, but if we lay our idols at the feet of Jesus daily, we will find freedom and victory.
Life is too precious and fleeting to waste on false gods. We only have one life and serve one God, and He'll never rest until we're fully His.
Originally published Sunday, 24 March 2024.
