We become what we focus on (worship)

We tend to laugh at the ancients who, in their ignorance, worshiped idols made of silver and gold. The root of the word “worship” is “worth,” and when we ascribe supreme worth to something we are in danger of worshiping it, in danger of idolatry (worship of anything that is not God). There is another aspect of idolatry that is brought out in Psalm 115:8 which says “Those who make them are like them, So is everyone who trusts in them.” So idolatry is not just ascribing supreme worth to something, it is trusting in it (them). We can make idols of people or things. We can make idols of movie stars, for example. We can make an idol of our intellect! I am a self made man! In Colossians 3:5 covetousness (showing a strong focus or desire for especially material possessions) is called idolatry. But perhaps the most disturbing thing about all this is that “We become like them” (Psalm 115:a)!

In what sense though, do we become like them? Well idols of silver and gold cannot see or hear. And Paul gives the sense of how this applies to spiritual idols when he says “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened (Romans 1:21, 22). It might sound a little harsh, but the point is that whenever we put anyone or anything above God, then rather than becoming more and more like Him we become less like Him. And what is God like? He is love and joy and peace and patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22, 23).

What I am saying, is that we are not standing still. We are either going forward or moving back. We are either choosing things that bring life, or we are choosing things that being death (Matthew 16:25). There is no fence (Revelation 3:15,16)! We are either for Him or against Him (Matthew 12:30; Luke 11:23). Choosing to be for Him is choosing life. Not choosing Him is choosing death! We either increasingly display the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22,23 again), or we increasingly display the works of the flesh (wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions etc., etc. Galatians 5:19-21). There is a reason the most important commandment is to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. It is because when we do this, we are becoming more like our awesome, beautiful, amazing God. If we do not put Him above all else, we are moving towards the other fella, even if we are in denial of it.

Father, You tell us in Your Word that You are a jealous God, and that You will have no other gods before You (Exodus 20:3-5). I want to be more like you this morning Father. I want to display more of the fruit of Your Spirit. But in order to do this Lord I must cast down every idol. So Father I ask You this morning that if there are any idols in my life that I am not aware of that You would reveal them to me so that I may repent and forsake them. We don’t see what we don’t see. I don’t see what I don’t see. But as I continue in Your word Lord I become less and less blind and in fact I am being transformed from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18) in Jesus Name Amen