I knew of a young couple living in Togo, West Africa. As followers of Jesus, they occasionally encountered disapproval from family members who still practiced the old tribal rites.
One day the husband was tragically killed in a traffic accident. It was then that the clash between faith and tradition came to a head. At the funeral, the wife’s family urged her to take part in tribal ceremonies. It would “make her free,” they said. Despite the intense anguish of the moment, she courageously refused. Her decision was a simple, grace-filled statement to the community that Jesus was sufficient in her grief.
Having lived in the West for much of my life, I have seen how Western followers of Jesus tend to spiritualize these words from the apostle John: “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts” (1 John 5:21). Another translation renders it this way: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21 NIV). An idol is anything we adore or worship that turns us away from God. But John was writing to an audience that would understand this to be a literal idol—a physical representation of a false god. Millions still worship this kind of idol.
God feels so strongly about us not having representations of a false god, that he etched it in stone. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind,” reads one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:4). When we do “see” God in Scripture, He is elusive and mysterious: a flame; a gentle whisper; a voice thundering from heaven; a rushing wind; a helpless baby; the light that dispels the darkness.
It takes courage to live out your faith in Jesus in a culture that denies Him. But, by His strength, let’s continue to worship the God who transcends culture and defies description.
More:
• Exodus 3:1-15
• 1 Kings 19:11-13
• John 12:28-29
Next:
What do you worship? What takes priority in your life over God?
hello on June 21, 2010 at 1:48 am
i feel every devotion is the reminder of God to his peoples:
19 And when you look up into the sky and see the sun, moon, and stars—all the forces of heaven—don’t be seduced into worshiping them. The Lord your God gave them to all the peoples of the earth. 20 Remember that the Lord rescued you from the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt in order to make you his very own people and his special possession, which is what you are today.
Sometimes we easily be influenced by the wordly things in the world and have forgotten that He his only the founder on all above. Amen.
hello on June 21, 2010 at 2:10 am
Dear all, this is the little message that I wrote after reading my devotion on idols today. i would like to share this to you.
http://aprilgirly.blogspot.com/2010/06/19-and-when-you-look-up-into-sky-and.html
R R Kelkar on June 21, 2010 at 3:32 am
It is easy to discuss this issue when there are no idols around you. But do not forget that there are countries where idols are worshipped at every street corner and in every home. And what about the statues and images inside churches and in Christian hospitals and educational institutions? Is not lighting candles or placing flowers before them an idol worship of sorts?
tim gustafson on June 21, 2010 at 5:08 am
I think there are idols of both kinds (physical and metaphorical) everywhere, especially as cultures intermingle. We just tend not to think of them when we see them. We all must be vigilant about this. What are we putting in God’s place today? What do we have in our lives that displeases Him. I have to ask myself this question.
maryanneb47 on June 21, 2010 at 3:21 pm
RR Kelkar this is one of the reasons I left the Catholic church because I felt that I was praying to saints instead of God or Jesus, or participating in the whole communion with Jesus. As to Tim’s question, God and Jesus Christ take priority over everything.
bethanyF on June 21, 2010 at 4:51 am
I am thankful for this devotion today as well as the others that are always on here. I pray for wisdom and peace. I have been struggling with some of my anxieties again and really need the Lord’s strength. I pray that my friends on ODJ would pray for me too.
lindagma on June 21, 2010 at 6:10 am
BethanyF.. it is my quiet time and I will most certainly pray for you. satan knows our weaknesses and will use them against us. I’ve struggled with anxiety and found that prayer is the only way to peace. Even when you don’t feel like it. Even if it is every 10 minutes.. keep giving it to God and He will help you work thru it.. and AMAZING… He comes up with solutions that will surprise you.
As for the idols in our lives… even our children can fill that bill. Start your day by giving God control and ask Him what you are putting before Him. He IS faithful to answer.