Idolatry?

[Omegaman 3.0]

I just wrote out my thoughts on idolatry. Perhaps you will agree, perhaps not. In anycase, I welcome your perspectives - hopefully without this becoming a battle ground, I am getting weary of them 

Generally, when the Bible speaks of idolatry it is referring to the worship of false gods, or man-made objects of worship like carvings or images, even an image of the one true God. It could be the worship of human kings, angels, holy people.
In a practical sense, most anything can be an idol, even good things. When something is more important to us than God, it will probably show in our lives. In that sense, most people, including Christians, probably practice come degree of idolatry.
What are we devoted to? Things that can compete with God for our devotion, can be good things like our spouse or family, or other loved ones. Sex, power, status, our jobs, our hobbies, entertainment, food, even the Bible itself or theology.
We can get so wrapped up in learning about God, reading the Bible, going to church, being involved in ministry, etc., that we forget to properly honor God by having a relationship with Him, and putting Him first in our lives. We should ask ourselves, what is most important to us, what to I value above God. If we can honestly answer "nothing" is more important, then we are not idolators. That means that our lives and everything in them, we are willing to give up for God. Do we pass the test?

[Selah7]

Hi there OM,  Good thread; thx! 

This may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but here’s something to think about in terms of who won't be prone to idolatry.  Who is it that will faithfully follow their Lord? The Elect have a Shepherd and they follow HIM.  It’s HIS voice they hear.  

John 10:1-5

10 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But He who enters by the door is the Shepherd of the sheep.3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear His voice; and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them; and the sheep follow Him for they know His voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

John 10:14

14 I am the good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

 

Edited February 16, 2022 by Selah7

[branchesofHim]

3 hours ago, Omegaman 3.0 said:

Generally, when the Bible speaks of idolatry it is referring to the worship of false gods, or man-made objects of worship like carvings or images, even an image of the one true God.

Good reminder. Idolatry (however used in context) is a work of the flesh. Shalom

Galatians 5:[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
[21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Edited February 16, 2022 by branchesofHim

[Hobie_]

3 hours ago, Omegaman 3.0 said:

I just wrote out my thoughts on idolatry. Perhaps you will agree, perhaps not. In anycase, I welcome your perspectives - hopefully without this becoming a battle ground, I am getting weary of them 

Generally, when the Bible speaks of idolatry it is referring to the worship of false gods, or man-made objects of worship like carvings or images, even an image of the one true God. It could be the worship of human kings, angels, holy people.
In a practical sense, most anything can be an idol, even good things. When something is more important to us than God, it will probably show in our lives. In that sense, most people, including Christians, probably practice come degree of idolatry.
What are we devoted to? Things that can compete with God for our devotion, can be good things like our spouse or family, or other loved ones. Sex, power, status, our jobs, our hobbies, entertainment, food, even the Bible itself or theology.
We can get so wrapped up in learning about God, reading the Bible, going to church, being involved in ministry, etc., that we forget to properly honor God by having a relationship with Him, and putting Him first in our lives. We should ask ourselves, what is most important to us, what to I value above God. If we can honestly answer "nothing" is more important, then we are not idolators. That means that our lives and everything in them, we are willing to give up for God. Do we pass the test?

I think we can see the 'man made objects' if we look... 

[missmuffet]

7 hours ago, Omegaman 3.0 said:

I just wrote out my thoughts on idolatry. Perhaps you will agree, perhaps not. In anycase, I welcome your perspectives - hopefully without this becoming a battle ground, I am getting weary of them 

Generally, when the Bible speaks of idolatry it is referring to the worship of false gods, or man-made objects of worship like carvings or images, even an image of the one true God. It could be the worship of human kings, angels, holy people.
In a practical sense, most anything can be an idol, even good things. When something is more important to us than God, it will probably show in our lives. In that sense, most people, including Christians, probably practice come degree of idolatry.
What are we devoted to? Things that can compete with God for our devotion, can be good things like our spouse or family, or other loved ones. Sex, power, status, our jobs, our hobbies, entertainment, food, even the Bible itself or theology.
We can get so wrapped up in learning about God, reading the Bible, going to church, being involved in ministry, etc., that we forget to properly honor God by having a relationship with Him, and putting Him first in our lives. We should ask ourselves, what is most important to us, what to I value above God. If we can honestly answer "nothing" is more important, then we are not idolators. That means that our lives and everything in them, we are willing to give up for God. Do we pass the test?

Idolatry is " the worship of idols or excessive devotion to or reverence for some person or thing". An idol is anythng that replaces  the One, True God. 

[Omegaman 3.0]

2 hours ago, Katie Müller said:

Types of Idols

You provided quite a list there Katie, and yeah it is a good list, if kept in the context of your definition:

"anything an individual put their faith or trust into", because many of those things are good things, when they are in their correct balance in our lives. Good things can become the enemy of the best thing, when we lose perspective.

Personally, if I were to suggest any minor tweaks to that post, I would say that is is not only faith and trust, but "worship". In this case, I do not merely mean bowing down before something, or singing praises to it (though that is related), nor even submission. All of these things can be part of it. However, the kind of worship I am referring to, has to do with how things are valued. What is it "worth". "Worth-ship" is the reconitiong of somethings value, it's worthyness.

In your category 3 (Economic Systems and Currency) you have an item, that I think fits better (though not exclusively) in category 4 (Material Goods) and that is "Food". Food is a good thing, we need it, and God provides it for us, that is one reason to see God as "worthy". We praise and worship God, partly because He is our provider. Some of us value (esteem worthy) the pleasure we get from food so much, that it leads us to fail to take care of our bodies, His temple. I was once at 330 pounds, so I certainly get that. When we value food so highly, we are in those moments, worshiping the creation, not the creator (in my opinion). 

I am reminded of Philippians 3:19:

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

I am thinking there (and I could be wrong) that our bellies are a metaphor for our appetites, which could be food, sex, recreational drugs, music, entertainment, companionship, or any number of things.

John Piper describes himself as a Christian Hedonist. Now at first hearing that, that could be mistaken for a person who believes in Jesus, but is focused on pleasure seeking. If that is all he meant, then that would be idolatry. His understanding is though, that we were created to enjoy God, that this is our actual purpose, and so he says:

"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

I emphasized most there, because it is that, that takes the idolatry out of pleasure seeking, and turns pleasured seeking into an act of worship. When we are satisfied and fulfilled in God, we find our biggest pleasure in Him and that is where our hearts declare "He is worthy!"  WORSHIP!

Excellent post Katie, thanks for sharing! 

 

[Starise]

I might have missed it, but I didn't see family members on that list. I know some parents and grand parents that live and breathe their children and grand children, while they don't specifically worship them, I see their extended family as being the only thing they mostly think about and dwell on. It is their life so to speak. Is this a bad thing? Can this become a bad thing? 

I have come across more than a few who will sit and talk all day about them and never think to ask you about your family or really care, because they are so preoccupied with their tribe they can't seem to think about anything else.

Often those in love will place an unhealthy priority on their boy friend or girl friend. Much of modern culture leads us to believe we can find our life's contentment in a mate. 

I don't see hobbies mentioned either. I became so interested and driven in a few of my hobbies that I've had to re evaluate. I get cranky when I can't do certain things I like to do. I am still trying to decide if that is getting into dangerous territory of if it's just sadness over lack of time.

[Starise]

So far as hobbies are concerned I have cut way back, but then my proficiency in it has suffers which makes me sad.

I will almost always defer to something else that seems to be more of a priority and I guess me feeling that frustration is what makes me wonder if I value it too much. I miss it however, I often give it up for other things like family, church and work which perpetuates the feelings. Like a part of me is always on the back burner and can never be realized because it keeps getting back shelved. Letting go completely means giving up, so I dabble never dabbling enough to realize any goals.

I'm sure others can probably relate to this. Having families and careers often forces us sacrifice parts of ourselves. The fact that we don't do it doesn't seem to diminish the desire to do it. Almost feels like a lost friend. In later age it feels like it's just going to permanently slip away one day.By the time you finally get the time to maybe realize it the person will not be fully capable or will be so close to dead it won't matter. I've actually had to wrestle with feelings of bitterness over it. I really hope one day God will restore these lost things to us.

[Michael37]

9 hours ago, Omegaman 3.0 said:

Generally, when the Bible speaks of idolatry it is referring to the worship of false gods, or man-made objects of worship like carvings or images, even an image of the one true God. It could be the worship of human kings, angels, holy people.

I could hardly believe my eyes some years ago when I began reading a newspaper article that featured a contestant in the TV musical talent series called "NZ Idol". Here was a photo of young man with a punk-mohawk haircut who was in the top three as a singer-guitarist, with much being made of the fact that he was an Elim Church youth pastor. He didn't win but he did become a minor celebrity appearing on TV talk shows and being interviewed on radio. The Elim Church milked his fame for years to come, advertising events he and his group and his loud "rock-style" compositions were a feature of with reference to his being "of NZ Idol fame".

I recall some locals among the body of Christ being bewildered by all this. 

[Omegaman 3.0]

2 hours ago, Starise said:

I might have missed it, but I didn't see family members on that list. I know some parents and grand parents that live and breathe their children and grand children, while they don't specifically worship them, I see their extended family as being the only thing they mostly think about and dwell on. It is their life so to speak. Is this a bad thing? Can this become a bad thing? 
I don't see hobbies mentioned either. 

I think you are right, but they are on my short list, where I said:

"Things that can compete with God for our devotion, can be good things like our spouse or family, or other loved ones. Sex, power, status, our jobs, our hobbies, entertainment, food, even the Bible itself or theology."

I think I also mentioned somewhere, that the good can become the enemy of the best. Martha was trying to be a good hostess and indeed was doing a good thing, while Mary was hanging with the Jesus and the boys. To me, that sounds as though Mary was being selfish, while Martha was being a servant, however, it was Mary who had her priorities straight!