One We Have Licked?

When God gave the law to Moses on the mountain, His commands began with a proper focus on Himself and then the proper focus toward others. It is through maintaining a right focus on God that all other people and things are able to be kept in their proper place as well.

The very first commandment clearly stated. . .
"You shall have NO OTHER gods BEFORE ME." ( Exodus 20:3 ESV)

God has always insisted on taking second place to no one or no thing! (i.e. Deuteronomy 4:35; Isaiah 45:5-6) However, there were many times God's people set Him aside and worshipped other gods; something God viewed as an abomination. (i.e. Isaiah 66:3; Jeremiah 13:10 & 27) Reading Isaiah 44:18-20 can almost seem humorous if it were not for the sadness of the reality it was being practiced.

Perhaps we acknowledge the foolishness of worshipping images. We may even consider idolatry a problem of which we personally need not be concerned. Do we really have the challenge licked in our life? Is bowing down to an image of some sort the only form idolatry takes?

Writing to the church at Colossae, Paul urged. . .
"(5) Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, WHICH IS IDOLATRY. (6) On account of these the wrath of God is coming." ( Colossians 3:5-6 ESV)

Though it appears very clear that Paul was noting "covetousness" as being idolatry, he may have been placing each of the preceding items in this list in that category as well. Anything -- including the desires that motivate our actions -- that takes the control over our life that belongs to God is idolatry. What (or who) are we allowing to have SOVEREIGN POWER over us? Idolatry still angers God! If we have given into any of these, we have bowed to them! Paul stated that on account of these things "the wrath of God is coming."

God is to remain the NUMBER ONE FOCUS in our life. Allowing our fleshly desires and wants TO CONTROL us rather than the Will of God will continue to lead us away from Him. Therefore we must resolve to let Him remain the SOVEREIGN POWER in and over us.

Have a great day KEEPING OUR LIFE SURRENDERED WHOLLY TO GOD!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Idolatry