Idolatry page 25 Maximized Manhood
Idolatry is a value system that we create, in which we esteem something to be more worthy of our devotion than devotion to God. Power, prestige, education, money, business, religion, popularity, ego, pornography—can all become idols. Some men worship at the shrine of their businesses; others at temples of recreation and sports. Still others may bow at the sound of the cash register. For some ministers, even their ministry can become an idol. They become so devoted to it that they cannot take time to worship God, wait in His presence, or spend time ministering to Him. For others, their television set has become an idol. All pornography is idolatrous. It's based on man's ability to create in his mind a fantasy or image that satisfies him, and to which he can devote himself. Corporate life in America today has become idolatrous in many instances. Men sacrifice their families for the sake of the company 1 Peter 4:3
For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.NASB95 1 Samuel 15:23
"For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king."NASB95 Colossians 3:5
therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.NASB95 These are three very powerful scriptures. The last one really spoke to me. It says all these things are dead in my earthly body. So to me that means when they come back it is not because the enemy is attacking me; it is because I made the choice to bring them back. For me if the temptation of porn comes up, that could very well be the enemy. What I choose to do next is not. If I click the mouse at an ad on the computer or phone, now I have made the choice. The enemy did not make the choice for me. So many times we give the enemy way to much credit when in reality it is our own choices that give in. For me over the years sexual lust has been my idol. Thank you Lord for bringing me women who is mature enough in her walk to see me as just a man and not perfect. So if or when I fall as a man she prays for me and helps me instead of falling apart and making it all about her. A Godly woman who will pray for me so that I can be healed. Thank You Lord!
Right now I can honestly say I have no idols in my life today. I am not going to live in the future nor am I going to live in the past.
If you don't change then nothing changes.
Do you have an idol? Ask Holy Spirit right now.
From John
ReplyDeleteKee...Sorry for the lengthy reply but Man O Man...did you hit on a good one today. I can't speak for anyone one else but this is a biggie to me. Funny thing happens as you get older, you begin to cling to stuff as though your life depends on it. The job is a great example of a "subtle" idol, that not only begins to control you, but throw in a couple of promotions and you not only idolize it, but it becomes your whole identity. To add to that while serving your idol each day...you begin to develop little "side idols" while in that environment, such as getting your ego fed, driving for more money, living at the gym after work, working late, etc,etc....all of these things take you away from God, which in turn takes you away from family.
I have, unfortunately, fallen into that trap before and almost lost everything. I encourage anyone to step back from that idol and ask yourself, if that went away tomorrow would you have a meltdown because of losing all the "perks", fame, money, etc... Would anyone give you the time of day without the title, or your work experience...or would it be because you were a good person and they respected you away from being the boss. Would your family even be there for you? I know this is just one of many idols but this one, to me, is extremely dangerous, because it is so subtle and we can justify "honey, I know you never get to see me but... I have to make a living" in our minds, while God and our family are not included and then made to look like the enemy if they complain about us working late, or traveling too much, etc...don't get me wrong, you do have to earn an income to pay the bills and I am thankful each day for my job, and I give 110% however, the realty is if I "bought the farm" they would have a replacement and in a short time I would be forgotten. In this economy, more than ever, it is so apparent of how volatile a job or position really is. God is the only boss you need to idolize...he gives the best promotions, his work ours are great, and you can't beat the bonus which you don't have to hit a quota to get it!
Try something new on your next business trip...take your bible along and leave the TV off in the room...skip happy hour with crew, down load on God, and all this other stuff won't seem so important.
Thank you Kee for the reminder, and your faithfulness to lay it out there... blessings Brother
But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything-and I do mean everything-connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life-a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. (Ephesians 4:20-24 MSG)
Sir John