1 John 5:21
Food for Thought
An all-creatures.org Guide to Kingdom Living

By Marni Montanez

1 John 5:21

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

21. Little children, guard your selves from idols.

These are the definitions of Idol

Idol:

1.    object of adoration: somebody or something greatly admired or loved, often to excess

2.    object worshiped as god: something that is worshiped as a god, e.g. a statue or carved image

3.    forbidden object of worship: in monotheistic religions, an object of worship other than the one God

How many of us have idols in our lives? I know Jesus didn’t have any idols in His heart. I wonder about the rest of us though.   In the bible an idol refers to a carved image. Something concrete and obvious that one bows down to in worship, today an idol is not so obvious.  An idol can be anything; spouses, children, pets, food - eating too much or too little, It can come in the form of money, drugs, shopping..  Even positive things can be an idol, like excessive exercising and even watching Christian shows or going to Christian conferences can become idols. The list is endless. Idol worship is about bowing to idols in our heart. That is what God is after; our heart. I have to check myself sometimes, because when I feel depressed or lonely I turn on a Christian program instead of sitting before the very God they are talking about.  What is it that comes before God in your life? I am going to make a bold statement.  

I believe there are very few Christians who do not have at least one idol in their life.  Maybe there are none. Each one of us has something that pulls at us and competes for our attention.  I have been guilty of emotional eating instead of going to my heavenly Father for comfort. I have been guilty of ministering to others and becoming involved in their pain so I can hide from my own and not allow God to deal with me and heal the brokenness.  My tendency was to deny my brokenness and continue on looking strong and capable. You know, be my own little god.   My list is endless also.

Now though I see the incredible need I have to seek God one on one and to put Him first and in everything. I don’t always succeed but my heart speaks loud and clear that I want God more than anything; more than sleep, more than relationships, more than chocolate……..

So, what are the idols you need to get rid of?

God bless

Marni

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The purpose of this series is to encourage people to live as loving, compassionate, and peacemaking children of God: Jesus tells us to pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) God tells us through Micah (6:8), "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God." And we know from Revelation 21:4 that there will be no more mourning, or crying, or pain, or death. Thus, Christian living requires us to set the standards of these conditions here on earth for our fellow human beings, and for the other animals, as a witness to the rest of the world. To do otherwise is not Christian.