Tag Archives: Idol

What Happens When You Commit Idolatry?

10 Thursday Jun 2021

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Church, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Religion, Religious, Spiritual, Uncategorized

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Money, fame, fortune, statues, monuments, people, and even oneself. Anyone or anything can be an idol. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “idol” as the following:

  1. an object of extreme devotion
  2. a representation or symbol of an object of worship

It is quite possible to devote yourself to someone or something to the point where you begin to worship said person or thing. In fact, every single day, idolatry is on full display throughout our world. There are countless forms of gods that humanity has established and engaged in idol worship. We can see the very evidence when we turn on our televisions. Hollywood which is considered to be one of the premier entertainment capitols in the world, it is full of examples concerning idol worship. Or, one can easily engage in idolatry in the form of a romantic relationship.

It is the act of praising, elevating, and even proclaiming that a person or an object maintains our strict adoration and attention. We can do this by how much time we spend thinking about the person or object of our desire. Or, when we speak, our words will often show us exactly what it is that we adore or worship. Whatever has your focus, it has your heart. Matthew 6:21 says (NIV) “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

What you and I treasure the most, that is where our heart will be. That in turn means, that our focus is generally upon the thing or person that we are worshipping. However, what happens when we commit idolatry? Are there any consequences when we worship a person or a created thing? Before examining the consequences of idolatry, it must be made clear, that the Lord God almighty, the one who created the Heavens and the Earth, He is a jealous God.

Exodus 34:14 says (KJV) “(for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),”

God will not tolerate idol worship nor the devotion to anything other than to Him. While yes, we do have things in life that we do, and people that we love, but the key is to place the priority of our love and devotion unto God as #1. If God is not in the #1 position of your life, then there will be consequences for your idolatry. The following is what happens when you commit idol worship:

What you worship you will lose – 1 Samuel 5:1-5 focuses on the Philistines and the people of Ashdod. The Philistines had captured the Ark of God and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. From there, the Ark of God was brought into the House of Dagon (Dagon was a false god/idol) and set it next to Dagon. The people of Ashdod arose in the next morning to find that Dagon was lying face down in front of the Ark of God. So, they put Dagon back in its position as it was before. However, the next day, the people of Ashdod found Dagon lying face down on the ground again. Only this time, the head of the idol, and its hands were found to be cut off, only leaving the trunk or the body of the idol remaining.

The overall point of that scripture is to state that what we worship, we will lose it. God will destroy and remove anything that we begin to devote ourselves to, more than we devote to Him.

God’s hand will be against you – 1 Samuel 5:6 says “The hand of the LORD was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. “ The people of Ashdod not only worshipped a false god (Dagon), but they erected their idol next to the Ark of God. When you and I worship anyone or anything other than God, we put ourselves in a position to have God’s hands against us.

This means that anything that we attempt to do, it will result in destruction. That is because, God does not accept any other god, idol worship, or any other form of devotion. All worship belongs to the Lord Almighty. If that does not occur in your life, then you will find that God will be against you and sudden destruction will be the result.

Confusion is present – Isaiah 44:9 says (NKJV) “Those who make an image, all of them are useless, And their precious things shall not profit; They are their own witnesses; They neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed.” This verse makes it clear that those who worship or create idols, they do not have any understanding because they are unable to see. They are blinded by their sin and idol worship, so God puts said individuals into a state of confusion.

Verses 18-20 says (NKJV) ““They do not know nor understand; For He has shut their eyes so that they cannot see, And their hearts, so that they cannot understand. And no one considers in his heart, Nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say, “I have burned half of it in the fire, Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals; I have roasted meat and eaten it; And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?” He feeds on ashes; A deceived heart has turned him aside; And he cannot deliver his soul, Nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”

The above verses points to what happens when idolatry is committed, and one of those things is confusion. A lack of understanding is produced which makes it difficult to see the coming destruction and even the behavior that one engages in.

In many Bible verses, God establishes the firm foundation that He is a jealous God and that idols are inferior and even illegitimate in His eyes. As a response, God will remove and destroy every idol that we create and worship. You may think to yourself that you have something good in your life. Maybe you are in a relationship or a marriage, and you love the person you are with. To the point that they are your everything.

To be clear, romantic relationships, friendships, family members, and even things that we find momentary pleasure in, they all have their place. God wants us to enjoy our lives within reason and within His parameters. We can do this by ensuring that we are balanced and that the position of our worship is given to God and God alone.

However, God sees even romantic or human relationships in the same way if they portray idol worship. We are not to love anyone or anything more than we love the Lord God. So, if you find yourself committing idol worship, it isn’t too late to eliminate the gods that you are serving. This comes through surrender and reprioritizing the Lord in His rightful position as #1.

This starts with acknowledging your sin and idol worship, and completely releasing what you are devoted to. Repentance means to turn from your sin and to go in the direction that Jesus Christ is calling for. Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, today is a great day to give yourself to the Lord through repentance and surrender. Accept Christ today, lay down your idols and worship the true and living God.

Confusion that Comes When Idolatry Is Present

03 Thursday Mar 2016

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In America, 2016 is an election year for the office of the President of the United States. Just as each election cycle surfaces, so does the 24-hour media coverage. Daily, there are news reports concerning each candidate’s polling numbers in addition to the campaign rhetoric. While America prepares to vote for the next President, the world is also watching to see who will be elected as the next leader of the free world.

In this election, there has been a focus on one particular candidate and his name is ‘Donald Trump.’ Mr. Trump is currently running for the nomination of the Republican party. He has also gained a massive amount of support since he began running for President in 2015.

Donald Trump is known for being one of the wealthiest businessmen in the world, and he is also known for his outrageous statements and the reality show that he starred in called ‘The Apprentice.’ However, what seems to keep many Americans and those in other countries dumbfounded is how it is that someone who is flagrant, uncouth, and an instigator, able to garner so much attention?

Many voters throughout various states have now found themselves supporting Donald Trump despite his inflammatory rhetoric. The question is, how is such a thing possible when such leadership would be bound to fail from the beginning? The answer lies in the word ‘idolatry.’

The Bible is very clear concerning idolatry and the confusion that it brings when individuals are open to a lifestyle that is separate from God. It is the rejection of God and His standards that opens the door to deception and confusion among any group of people. The proof in this is found in the book of Isaiah chapter 44.

In the beginning of this chapter, in verses 1-5, the Lord is speaking and pronouncing His blessings over the people of Israel. God makes it clear in these verses that He has chosen Israel and that He will bring blessings to Israel’s descendants.

Verse 3:

(NKJV) “For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring;”

It was God’s promise that the people of Israel would be blessed. In verses 6-8, God makes further proclamations that only He alone is God which means that there is no other God greater than He. So, in the first part of this chapter, we can see that God has chosen Israel and that He alone is worthy of the praise and worship that humanity can give Him.

At the same time, God gives the people of Israel a snapshot into what can happen when He is no longer the focus of worship, but rather when idolatry begins to take place.

Verse 9:

(NKJV) “Those who make an image, all of them are useless, And their precious things shall not profit; They are their own witnesses; They neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed.”

First notice, that God declares that the idols that are worshiped are useless in their being. It is a waste of time to worship another god because it profits absolutely nothing. God also says in verse 9, that “they neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed.” This means, that there has been a cloud of delusion placed over anyone who chooses idol worship over God.

Verse 10:

(NKJV) “Who would form a god or mold an image that profits him nothing?”

In our world today, we see many examples of idol worship which often times includes self-worship. The question that God asks is, why would someone commit idolatry only to find that it is worthless? The same is happening today. There are so many who chase after fame, money, sex, large homes, and even self-gratification only to find that they are empty on the inside. This is one reason why America and many nations in our world are experiencing a lack of fulfillment and inner turmoil within.

In verses 11-16, God continues by making it known that when idolatry is committed, there is a great deal of work that is spent making and worshiping a false god only to find that it profits nothing. In these verses God gives us the imagery of someone who takes the time to build an idol and in verse 17, this same person begins to worship it.

(NKJV) “And the rest of it he makes into a god, His carved image. He falls down before it and worships it, Prays to it and says,“Deliver me, for you are my god!”

How often do we see idol worship today in the nation that we live in? Many seek the answers to life’s problems from other sources rather than seeking and worshiping God. Even in this election season in America, many are seeking the answers from each politician rather than understanding that it is God’s desire that we seek Him.

In verses 18-20, we can see just what happens when idolatry is allowed to flourish:

(NKJV) “They do not know nor understand; For He has shut their eyes so that they cannot see, And their hearts, so that they cannot understand. And no one considers in his heart, Nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say, “I have burned half of it in the fire, Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals; I have roasted meat and eaten it; And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?” He feeds on ashes; A deceived heart has turned him aside; And he cannot deliver his soul, Nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”

Notice that in verse 18, God says that they who are worshiping idols do not understand. God says that He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and their hearts so they cannot understand. A major reason why we see many accepting what would normally be considered foolish is because God has blinded the eyes of those who have rejected Him. He has also allowed their hearts to be darkened so that they can no longer understand that what they are doing is foolish.

In verse 19, God says that those who worship idols no longer have the understanding to realize that what they have created is worthless but yet they continue to worship only to find that they are consuming the empty works of their own hands. Finally, in verse 20, God says that it is the heart that is deceived that is turned aside. As a result, anyone who is deceived is unable to save their own soul.

This is why we see confusion running rampant in our world. What seems like it would not make sense logically, many now seem to approve of what was once deemed unacceptable. It is because of idolatry and the sinfulness of humanity that we see a massive delusion that has taken place. However, there is a remedy for this.

Jesus Christ was born to die on the cross for the sins of the world. As long as God is rejected in the heart of man, then confusion and deception lead to a life that is spent living in sin. However, Christ died and was resurrected so that you and I may have life and life more abundantly. The blood of Jesus breaks the power that sin has over humanity but it is a conscious decision to accept this gift of life.

Will you accept Jesus’ sacrifice and make Him your Lord and savior? Until you do, you will find that your life will be empty and lacking meaning. God desires that you have life abundantly and it can only be done through Christ. Accept the gift that God has given by giving your life to Jesus in repentance and acceptance of His sacrifice on the cross.

The One True God – (Part 2)

30 Wednesday Sep 2015

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We are living in a time in which the world around us is searching for answers but also searching for the truth. Many want to see clear evidence of a matter so that their thirst for understanding and even a rational conclusion is grasped. There is a popular idiom or phrase that has been used for quite some time. The phrase, ‘Show me the money’ is used to denote one of two things.

It can suggest to the person in question that a payment of some sort is requested, but it can also mean that there is a request to be shown evidence. It is the question of evidence that many are looking for. Whether it be evidence of what their politician promises to do once sworn into public office. Or the evidence that one’s life can be turned from tragedy or misfortune into positivity and blessings. For many, the constant quest to prove the evidence of God’s existence is still at the forefront of their mind.

However, despite what the world looks to for its evidence, God shows us what is the truth and what is a lie. Looking to God who is the one who holds everything in place is where you and I should find the answer to life’s questions. In the book of 1 Kings chapter 18, there is a passage of scripture which will help us to see that God is indeed the one and true God.

In this chapter, Elijah who is a prophet of God was sent to King Ahab to deliver an important message to him. In verses 1-16, Elijah meets a man by the name of Obadiah who is King Ahab’s house manager. Throughout these 16 verses, Elijah and Obadiah have an exchange of words which later results in Elijah meeting with King Ahab. A few of the important verses to focus on are verses 18 and 19 in which King Ahab and Elijah finally meet.

(NKJV) “Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals. Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

It is important to note that in verse 2 of 1 Kings chapter 18 Samaria which is located in Israel experienced a drought. Throughout the Bible, droughts were signs of God’s judgment against a particular nation or group of people. Such judgment was the result of sin within the land. There was idolatry that occurred throughout the land of Israel which Elijah eludes to in verses 18 and 19.

He uses the term ‘Baal’s’ which signifies idol worship. Baal was the main god that the Canaanites worshiped in the Old Testament. However, Elijah says that King Ahab has committed idolatry by worshiping false gods. In the next few verses, Elijah then asks to meet with the children of Israel at Mount Carmel. The children of Israel were guilty of following Baal which was idol worship.

Verses 20-22:

(NKJV) “So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.”

Verses 23-24:

(NKJV) “Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.”

So essentially, Elijah wanted to prove that the Lord God was indeed the true God compared to the Baal’s that were the false gods. It is important to note that even in our society today there are many who are serving false gods. Whether it be the god of money, clothing, or even erecting other humans as gods, idolatry has run rampant in our world. However, these things mentioned are considered to be false gods because they are illegitimate or non-functioning.

However, the Lord God is everlasting and living compared to other idols that exist in our world. For centuries, even those of other religions have created statues and images which were then worshiped as if they were living and able to breathe. However, notice what happens in verse 26:

(NKJV) “So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made.”

In verse 27, Elijah mocks them by saying that their god must be asleep or he is busy because it seemed the more the individuals cried out to their god the more silence and inactivity there was. In verse 28, it became so much of an issue that the people who worshiped and called out to their god began to cut themselves to the point in which they began to bleed – and yet they did all of that to no avail.

The interesting point about those who committed self-inflicted wounds is that they did so at the allegiance and worship to their god. Many today are worshiping different things and even other people, and yet it is causing self-destruction or self-inflicted wounds. When you and I worship other gods instead of the Lord God, then our lives begin to suffer from being led astray and we destroy ourselves in the process.

In verses 30-35, it was then Elijah’s turn to pray to his God who was the Lord God. In these verses, Elijah re-builds the altar with 12 stones which represented the 12 Tribes Israel and he has the altar and the burnt sacrifice drenched with water twice. In verses 36-37, Elijah prays to God and asks that His presence and truth be known to the people. Essentially, Elijah wanted the reality and the evidence of God to be known based on the altar being burned by fire.

Verses 38-39:

(NKJV) “Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!”

At the end of the day, Elijah and those who witnessed it saw the evidence of God and saw the truth for themselves. The fact is that regardless of other gods that may exist, none of them are true, but rather they are false. Anything and anyone can be a god, but there is only one God who is everlasting and who lives.

The world that we live in today has been built to showcase idolatry just as it was in the Old and even the New Testament of the Bible. Idolatry is not a new phenomenon, but rather it has continued throughout human history. However, it is a sin to commit idolatry and in every instance, God shows His righteous judgment.

There will be a day in which the world shall be judged for the allowance of idolatry. However, even after that day comes, God will prove Himself to the world and even after you and I pass away from this Earth we will know that God is indeed the truth and that He lives. The sad part about idol worship is that many serve gods that cannot speak, cannot hear, nor do they have life.

However, worshiping God who lives, speaks, listens, and is the giver of life is a better option than to worship something or even someone who is dead. Even if someone decides to create an idol out of a living person, such an act is still illegitimate because a mere mortal does not have the power to create or to have dominion over everyone and everything.

Only God Himself is the true God who desires to be known and He desires to know us. The only way to know Him is through having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Do you know God for yourself? Have you accepted this gift of life through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? If not, then you are missing an important part of what it means to experience life. Also, you will not have a chance to experience eternal life. Only through Christ will you taste the majestic and glorious power of God. Accept Christ and know who God is for yourself.

The Coming Judgment of God (Part 1)

14 Friday Aug 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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ID-10036968If you have ever watched or even participated in the sport of surfing, you would have noticed that to surf you must endure considerable sized waves from the ocean. A skilled surfer can navigate through the water by employing various techniques in order to ride through waves as they rise and thrash around. However, there are also times in which surfing can be a challenging sport.

Even the most skilled of surfers can encounter waves that are so grandiose that they are unable to maintain stability.  As a result, the wave begins to overcome the individual by completely submerging the surfer underneath the swell of the wave. In some cases, it can be deadly and dangerous to experience a gigantic wave that has the capacity to overpower your very efforts to remain balanced. That is because of the wave’s sheer force which supplants even the most experienced of surfers. Regardless of how much experience a surfer may have, there are moments when he/she is not a match for the magnitude that a raging wave can bring.

The same concept can be applied spiritually in that there will be a day in which all of humanity will see God’s judgment on display. The analogy of a tidal wave represents the judgment of God. Basically, many are in their sin and ignoring the coming wrath and judgment that God will bring. In this context, the reference to God’s judgment is not concerning our individual judgment when you and I will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. The judgment that I am referring to is the wrath that God will display towards every nation that has rejected Him.

In the book of Amos chapter 5, there is yet another example of the people of Israel being judged because of their sins. It is important to note that although God has always had a covenant with the people of Israel, they were not exempt from being judged whenever they forsook God to engage in idolatry and disobedience. Amos was one of the many prophets in the Bible who prophesied against Israel by delivering the message of judgment that God had spoken.

In chapter 5 of the book of Amos, Amos is seen giving a call to repentance as it relates to the people of Israel. As it was many times before, the people of Israel had strayed away from God by turning to foreign gods and to sinful behavior.  Each time they did this they were judged harshly with various consequences.  According to this scripture in Amos, the people of Israel were essentially encouraged to turn back to God rather than continuing in their idolatry.

Verses 1-3:

(NLV) “Hear this word, O people of Israel, this song of sorrow which I sing for you: “The young pure woman Israel has fallen, and she will not rise again. She is left alone on her land. There is no one to raise her up.” For the Lord God says, “The city of Israel that sends out a thousand soldiers will have a hundred left. And the one that sends out a hundred will have ten left.” 

Verses 4-5:

(NLV) “The Lord says to the people of Israel, “Look for Me and live. But do not look for Bethel. Do not go to Gilgal or cross over to Beersheba. For the people of Gilgal will be taken away to a strange land, and Bethel will come to nothing.”

It is important to note that in these verses Amos is speaking to the reality of what Israel had become spiritually. Gilgal, Beersheba, and Bethel were all places that the people of Israel had committed idolatry.  Basically, idols and graven images had been erected in those places but as Amos prophesied, the places where idol worship had taken place would be no more.  Amos urges those in Israel to look to God so that they can live. Essentially, this was the final plea of Amos for those in their sin to turn to God rather than remaining in their disobedience.

Verses 6-7:

(NLV) “Look for the Lord and live, or He will break out like fire in the family of Joseph. It will destroy, and no one in Bethel will be able to stop it. You turn what is right into something bitter. You throw what is right and good down to the earth.”

Amos says that if they continue to reject God that God will destroy them as a fire destroys. Notice also verse 7 in which Amos says, “You turn what is right into something bitter. You throw what is right and good down to the earth.” If you look at all of the chaos and unrest that is occurring within our world today, it is a symptom of an underlying problem which is sinfulness. Just as this scripture points to the sins that the people of Israel were committing, many in our world are doing the same.  

Various laws are being passed worldwide which no longer provide a sanctity for life nor are they based on the foundation of God and His righteousness. Essentially, humanity has turned what is considered to be right or just into as Amos says “something bitter.” Even in verses 10-11, the people of Israel rejected the truth of God or anyone who spoke it. That is what many have done throughout our world. Many have chosen to deny the truth of God only to live by their own standard of truth. When this happens, there is a price to pay which is that of God’s righteous judgment.

In chapter 8 of Amos, the judgment of Israel is further predicted which eventually occurs later in chapter 9.  In chapter 8, Amos has a dream with the symbolism of a basket of fruit.  Here is what Amos says in verses 1-3:

(NLV) “This is what the Lord God showed me: There was a basket of summer fruit. And the Lord said, “What do you see, Amos?” I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then the Lord said to me, “The end has come for My people Israel. I will not change My mind again about punishing them. The songs of the king’s house will become loud cries of sorrow on that day,” says the Lord God. “There will be many dead bodies. In every place, they will be thrown out without a word.”

Looking at this scripture it is clear that the end of the people of Israel had come. God declared in verse 2 “I will not change My mind again about punishing them.” It came to a point in which God was so displeased that He had seen enough of the sin.  There will come a day for every nation and person who rejects God that their time will be cut short. If America and other foreign countries insist on instituting societies of blatant sinfulness, then there will be a day of reckoning.  Just as Israel received its judgment at that time, every nation that rejects God will also receive the judgment that it is due. 

The final part to notice are verses 11-12 which says:

(NLV) “The days are coming,” says the Lord God, “when I will send a time upon the land when the people will be very hungry. They will not be hungry for bread or thirsty for water, but they will be hungry to hear the Words of the Lord. People will go from sea to sea, and from the north to the east. They will go from place to place to look for the Word of the Lord, but they will not find it.”

Essentially, God declared that there would be a day in which the people of Israel would find themselves searching to hear from God, but they would hear nothing in return. The reason is because of the disobedience and rejection that the people of Israel engaged in. They were so steeped in their traditions and sinful behavior that they rejected the very God who had given them commands and even provided for them years earlier. So, since they made the choice to reject God, God decided that he would not speak to the people of Israel.

If you look at it in today’s context, our world is in a similar position.  God is speaking to us daily through people and various signs of the End Times. However, the majority are continuing to ignore what God has spoken.  As a result, there will come a day in which it will be too late to make amends for the sinfulness that has occurred.  The people of Israel were cast down for their disobedience.

God does not and will not tolerate the blatant sinfulness that is so prominent in our world today. There will be a time in which the hand of God will be completely removed. God’s grace is still hovering over our nations to a degree, but the more sinfulness that we engage in the further back his grace is removed. Now is the time for you and I to heed the call of God before His judgment falls.

If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior, today is a great day to give your life to Christ.  Our world continues to grow worse, but there is still hope.  Jesus Christ is the hope of the Earth. It is up to you to decide where your life will be found. Ony in Christ will you find safety.

The Choice is Yours – Your God Given Opportunity

10 Friday Jul 2015

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Vending machines have been in existence for quite some time. They are machines that offer the opportunity to choose from an assortment of items.  Generally speaking, these are items to be consumed and enjoyed by the participating customer. The history and concept of the vending machine go as far back as ancient Greece in which a mathematician by the name of Hero, invented a machine to dispense holy water in Egyptian temples. You can read about the full history of the vending machine here. The great thing about the concept and existence of vending machines is that they offer to each user a choice. What you choose to purchase, is completely in your hands.

In addition to being able to choose from a variety of products, God has given each human the opportunity and ability to choose their path in life. This path involves the most important decision that anyone can make, and that is to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior. The other part of the choice we have been given is to remain in our sinful nature by serving the will of our flesh.

In the book of Joshua Chapter 24, there is an account of a man named Joshua, who was the chosen leader after the death of Moses.  He was given the responsibility of leading the people of Israel to the Promised Land. In chapter 24, Joshua asks the tribes of Israel and Shechem to assemble so that he can give them God’s message and instruction. In verse 2, Joshua says:

(NIV) “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods.” 

Notice that God makes a statement of the Israelite’s ancestors who were worshiping other gods. Based on the lineage of the Israelites, there were those who were committing idolatry by turning away from the one and True God to serve other gods. In verses 3-4 Joshua continues by saying:

(NIV) “But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac, and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I assigned the hill country of Seir to Esau, but Jacob and his family went down to Egypt.” 

If you read further through the verses of 5-13, you will see that there were many accounts of God’s faithfulness to the people of Israel.  It was because of the obedience and allegiance unto God by individuals such as Abraham, Moses and even those after, that God spared and rescued the Israelites out of peril. In verses 5-13, God spoke through Joshua making it clear that it was because of the Israelite’s obedience, that they had experienced favor with God.

However, notice what Joshua says in verses 14-15:

(NIV) “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Why does Joshua tell the Israelites to throw away the gods of their ancestors? In verse 23, Joshua says, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” Basically, this is pointing to the fact that at some point, the Israelites began to worship the same gods that their ancestors did, which was blatant idolatry. Joshua gives a warning of what will happen if the Israelites choose not to be in full allegiance unto God:

Verse 20:

(NIV) “If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.” 

The whole point of this scripture is to show that the Israelites were given two options. They could choose to worship God only and forsake their idols, or they could revert to the actions of their ancestors by engaging in idol worship. As Joshua said in this passage of scripture, there would be consequences for choosing other gods.  However, the alternative to following after the God of Israel was a continued hand of favor from God as they had experienced in their years of battle against their enemies. However, Joshua also uses a pivotal phrase in verse 15 which says, “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”

The thing about God is that He has and continues to give humanity a choice. This is akin to having free-will which is to say that we can choose what we will do and who we will serve. The reason why God allowed humanity to have free-will was so that we would freely choose Him as Lord, over any other god. A love that is demanded or forced is not true love and does not encompass the act of free-will.  God desires that we choose Him over the desires of our flesh.

For example, in the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam & Eve a choice. That choice was to obey His commands or to eat of the fruit on the tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil.  They were given a choice so that they themselves would freely choose to love God or to embrace sin. That is the same opportunity that you and I have today.  Like a vending machine, we all have choices in life.  We can choose to live in our sin and reject God’s love, or we can choose to embrace God and experience His love.

The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9, that God wishes that no man would perish.  It isn’t God’s will that you and I experience eternal damnation in Hell.  Instead, God offered an alternative in the person of Jesus Christ, to redeem humanity. Many have and will continue to reject this gift of life, but it will be a choice that is made. It does not negate the opportunity for redemption, but it only means that the path to living in disobedience and sin has been chosen.

Of course, because you are still alive, there is an opportunity to choose God through Jesus Christ. The Bible also says in Romans 1:20 the following:

(NIV) “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

This scripture means, that the evidence of God and His love is all around us. You can see His existence in the nature that was made by Him and not by man. You can see God, even in the very air that we breathe which is supplied by God Himself. There are many signs that God has made available to us, which means that in the end we will not have an excuse for choosing other gods to worship instead of the one and True God.

The fact is that God desires to know you and to be known. Just as Joshua gave the Israelites an option, God gives us an option.  The majority of the world will choose satan and the ways of the flesh. However, there will be those that will choose Christ and salvation. Will you be one those that choose Jesus Christ? If you haven’t accepted Christ as your Lord & Savior, you have an opportunity. Life becomes more joyous and orderly when you are in relationship with Jesus Christ.  The choice is yours. Choose who you will serve today.

Understanding the Supremacy of God – The Tower of Babel

15 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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Monuments and memorials have existed for thousands of years.  Many statues or images have been erected for the purpose of memorializing or etching into history the remembrance of a specific figure or event.  For example, the Statue of Liberty which is located on Liberty Island in New York City is a symbol of freedom and democracy within the United States.  Its institution into its current resting place provides meaning to many of its onlookers, and even to many Americans who view it as a nationalized symbol. Other monuments throughout the world hold their respective meanings to their population. However, it is important to distinguish between an artifact that is designed for remembrance, and one that signifies idolatry or idol worship.

In the passage of Genesis 11: 1-9, it is the account of the “Tower of Babel” that has been recorded.  In this scripture, a population of people decided that they would come together to build a large tower that would reach the Heavens.  At that time in scripture, the world had not yet diversified into various languages, ethnicities, and dialects.  The scripture says in verses 1-2:

(NIV) “Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.”

Verses 3-4 says:

(NIV) “They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

It is important to note that there was a level of pride and self-glorification which occurred in the population that attempted to build the tower. It was in their humanity that they desired to make themselves at the very least, equal with God if not greater. The aim was to construct a tower that would elevate themselves as a people, which is analogous to idol worship.  They were operating in direct defiance against the Holiness and supremacy of God.

However, notice what it says in the next verses:

Verses 5-7:

(NIV) “But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”

In these verses, the Lord sees their activity and He makes the conclusion that the population of people are unified in their quest to seek their own glory. Also, if you look at the language that God uses, He is speaking in the plural sense when He says, “Come, let us go down”.  This is because the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) are all present at the same time.  At the end of this, God separates the language of this population in order to disband their unity.  To be in a state of confusion and disunity was their punishment for seeking self-glorification and for practicing idolatry.

Verses 8-9: 

(NIV) “So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.”

The point to be made from this passage is that God reigns supreme over everything that is within existence.  In our sinfulness, we are proud because to be proud is to deny that someone has more authority than you do.  It was satan’s pride that caused his ultimate demise when he was removed from his position in Heaven. He desired to be like God as Isaiah 14: 13-15 records. Satan’s punishment was not only being removed from Heaven, but it was to be cast down into Hell along with others who chose to follow in his path.

Pride is an element that is rooted in our sinful nature because it is pride that creates within us a desire to be praised, adored, and placed on a pedestal.  That is what God despises – a proud and haughty heart that refuses to worship Him. In Psalm 8 verse 1, the songwriter David says, (ESV) “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.” God’s name is majestic which means, His name is to be praised by all of creation.

When you look at our society today in a global sense, idolatry and self-worship dominate our sphere.  If you turn on your television, you will see many examples of individuals who praise their own names, and seek their own glory. It may be in the form of ascending into political greatness, leading the world in sports as an athlete, or gracing the red carpet with your presence as a celebrity. However, in reality these are the very individuals that are lacking the most peace.  It is because of their self-glorification that they will never find true satisfaction.  In addition to this, God does not tolerate any human being who puts themselves within an equal footing.

Just as those who were building the Tower of Babel found themselves rejected and dispersed, God has essentially done the same thing to humanity today. Societies that are seeking social order, have found themselves in chaos and confusion because of the refusal to acknowledge God as supreme.  Even in America, there are a myriad of social, economic and governmental issues that has found its roots steeped within the active participation of idolatry.  Various statues and monuments have been erected worldwide –  some with the intent to memorialize, and others with the intent to worship.

Those that worship or seek to be worshiped as a god, will always find themselves at odds with the one and true God whose name is majestic. Humanity has always had an opportunity to turn from its self-worship and wickedness, to declare that the only one who is righteous is God Himself. He demands that we worship Him because there is no one greater than He. Of course, with such a demand, God desires we do so willingly because when we do, we are loving Him by choice.

However, if we choose the opposite which is a rejection, then there are negative consequences. It should be clear that no one nor anything will ever rival who God is. He will not allow any group of people, or their actions to bring any sort of glory that is outside of God the Father. To do so is to erect an idol in the face of God almighty which is what many continue to do today. Every single time this occurs, a nation mourns and finds itself in turmoil.

The one and true God desires to be known through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  To know God is to love Him, and to also experience His glory. There is nothing like the presence of a God that surpasses anything you could ever experience.  Do you know and understand the supremacy of God?  If not, then you have an opportunity to know Him by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  God wants you to know Him and experience His presence.  When you do, you will see just how supreme God truly is.

Are You Committing Idolatry? – The Principle of the “Unknown god”

04 Thursday Jun 2015

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Idol worship is a practice that has occurred for centuries.  To create an idol is to esteem a person or a thing far above anyone else.  Idolatry can occur in the form of spending too much time in an activity, or worshiping a person with a high level of devotion. Anyone and anything can be a god or an idol.  For some, money is an object that is worshiped, while for others their home or vehicle is their god. However, when we as humans commit idolatry, we are essentially putting something or someone before the one and true God.

In the book of Acts chapter 17 verses 16-31, we see that the Apostle Paul travels to the city of Athens.  At that time period, Athens was known for its idol worship and institution of Greek gods.  In verse 16, it says that Paul was distressed by the worship of idols in the city.  So, he begins to make a plea concerning Jesus Christ and His resurrection to those who would listen. However, he is challenged by Greek philosophers in verses 18 – 20:

(NIV) “A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.”

The philosophers were curious as to who Paul was referring to. In their minds, Jesus was a foreign god who they had never heard of.  However, here is what Paul says in verses 22-23: 

(NIV) “Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship.”

The issue with those in Athens was that they were so insistent on their idol worship that they erected an idol which was marked, “to an unknown god.” Who was the “unknown god”? Notice that Paul says in verse 22 that the Athenians were“religious” meaning they have a form and fashion of rituals without truly knowing who God is.  Which then results in Paul saying in verse 23 that the Athenians who are practicing idolatry are ignorant of the very thing that they worship.

What Paul is alluding to is that the Athenians were so caught up in their idolatry of other gods, that they failed to recognize God for themselves.  So, in their error they erected a statue among many other gods, without truly knowing the Lord through relationship. The Athenians were so ritualistic that they worshiped and instituted every idol they could think of, including the one they did not know. There are a couple of principles that we can take away from this:

1. God desires to be known – It is clear that the “unknown god” is that of God almighty.  In verses 24-25 Paul says the following:

(NIV) “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.”

What Paul is saying is that what distinguishes God almighty from the idols that the Athenians erected is the fact that God is a living God.  God desires that we know Him in the pardon of our sins through Jesus Christ.  He is a living God who wants to have a relationship with us, but when we are insistent upon worshiping and serving idols in our lives, we cannot know Him in His fullness.

The problem with the Athenians was that they were thrown into confusion because they allowed idolatry to rule.  Not only did they worship idol gods which is a sin before God, but they attempted to worship God in their ignorance without knowing who He was.  As long as we remain in our sinfulness and disobedience, we cannot see the truth of God for who He is. Unknowingly, the Athenians erected an idol which represented the one and true God, however, it was a part of God’s plan to reach out to the Athenians through their error and through Paul.

2. God will not tolerate idolatry – Paul not only expresses the fact that God is the giver of life, but he also makes it clear that God expects us to lay down our idols and repent:

Verses 28-30: 

(NIV) “For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

Notice the words “repent” and “judge.” God not only desires to know us and that we know Him, but he wants us to turn from our sinfulness and idolatry. There are many in today’s world that have erected their own idols which are an attempt to replace God. Truthfully, we were made to worship God the creator, but because we all have a need to worship, in our sin we choose other things or people to replace God.

However, we must repent and turn from our wicked ways.  Not doing so, will bring judgment as Paul mentions.  If you were to look at scriptures throughout the old Testament, you will see examples of nations that were destroyed because of idolatry and sin.  Sodom & Gomorrah is a prime example of a city that paid a heavy price for its sinfulness and idolatry.  In our current time, there are many nations that have erected false gods, in an attempt to replace God almighty. However, God promises to judge each person and nation based on their behaviors and sin.

God who created the Heavens and the Earth deserves our worship.  We all have a choice in the matter because God wants us to love Him by choice. Some will choose to worship God, and others will worship their own gods. However, the key difference between the gods we create and the God that is self-sufficient is that there is a peace and love that surpasses all understanding when we are in God’s presence.

God’s presence is unlike anything you and I could ever experience.  Even if we choose to worship our own gods, the gods that we create cannot match the awesome power of God almighty.  Satan wants us to be blinded by our own desires and to create idols. However, he does not tell you the judgment that comes when we serve created gods. If you haven’t chosen Jesus Christ as your savior, you have an opportunity to know God in the pardon of your sins. God wants every human being to know Him.  Choose Christ, and serve the one and true God.