There are few things that we Christians shouldn’t be doing.
1. We shouldn’t have an idol. See Exodus: 20:1 – 5
- What is an idol?
An idol in our lives is often our priorities. What we talk the most of, becomes our priority. Some people always talk about God, others talk about their children, spouse, positions, parents etc. It is very easy to have idols in our lives.
God hates idols. Whatever is in our heart as a priority, becomes an idol. An idol will bring havoc in our relationship with God.
Deuteronomy:6:5, it says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” The same commandment is recorded in Mattew: 10:37 but worded differently. And this in fact is the first commandment recorded in both the places.
- How can we love God with our heart?
For us to love God we need to pluck all the idols from our hearts. It is vital to do so, if not, then the idols in our hearts will slowly grow, and then one day will overtake us.
It is said, a small hole can sink a big ship. The same way, a small idol will bring a huge havoc in our relationship with God.
Our God is a jealous God, and He doesn’t want us to give glory to another.
In Genesis: 35:1, God told Jacob to go to Bethel and build an altar.
In V2. God told Jacob to put away all false gods.
When Jacob fled away from Laban with his 2 wives, children, flocks and all that belonged to him, Laban followed him and overtook him. And when Laban came face to face with Jacob, the first question he asked Jacob was ‘why did he steal his idols’? Rachel had stolen the idols of her father’s house, and she lied about not taking them, because of which she had a premature death.
When Jacob found out about the idols, he asked them to remove the idols, purify themselves, and change their clothes.
We need to remove our idols from our lives, purify ourselves, and begin to change our old attitude, and our mindsets. We shouldn’t put our trust in any person more than God. And when we do, it becomes an idol. Idolizing a person can stop the flow of blessings in our lives.
When Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac, it was because there was a possibility for Isaac to have become an idol for Abraham. That is why God tested Abraham. Small idols in our hearts becomes a blockage in our lives.
Why did God tell Abraham to get out of his father’s house? Because there was an idol worship in the land of Chaldeans.
People worship image of Jesus, prophets etc. Which is not of God. You may have maybe one idol in your life, or more idols. Regardless of the number, the idols need to be removed.
In Genesis: 35:4, they removed all kinds of idols and Jacob buried them under an oak tree. And once they did that, deliverance took place – See verse 5. Once we remove all the idols, deliverance will take place, and there will be restoration in our lives.
A minister that I know, tried to replace his anointing with fame. The anointing became his idol, and one day that same fame killed him.
Worshipping houses, careers, children, spouse, parents, money will need to be removed from our lives.
Question to Ponder: What are the idols that you have in your hearts? Ask God to reveal them to you.