Flee from idolatry

Flee from idolatry

1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

The tone of this passage expresses the strict command to flee every appearance of idolatry. Essentially, idolatry is anything or anyone that seeks to assert influence over a person or group of persons. It seeks to take the prime position of God in the lives of believers. There’s the public form of idolatry in which a god or a collection of gods are named and declared as significant entities in nature or among a people. Many practice this in the form of monotheism (belief in a false god) or polytheism (belief in multiple gods). This sharply contrasts the first commandment in the law of God- Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. These false gods are usually depicted with certain figurines, totems, effigies, or statures to represent these beliefs.

Others practice the more deadly form of idolatry, which is less discernible, resides deep in the heart, invincible to the human eye, and only expressible in their outward disposition and character of extreme love for the idols. The love of money, power, influence, honor, hero worship, and the pride of life to list a few demonstrate this deadly idolatrous tendency- 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

We must be wary of the “little” idols of the heart that may creep in unawares as we journey with God. Anything that contends with or replaces our devotion to God is whole enough to be an idol in our hearts. It’s only a matter of time before it takes over. The example of Solomon is one to learn from as the lust of his flesh gradually wore him down until this man whose prayer once brought the Shekinah glory of God down was found bowing down to graven images of the imported gods of his wives. What a bad turn of events that wisdom eluded the wisest man known and he lost his place before God and even before his people. We must seek to obliterate the following from our hearts to remain posited in our devotion to God:

The god of our flesh- Colossians 3:5.

The god of our work- Matthew 6:24,25

The god of our family- Luke 9:61,62.

Finally, there is a god of this world whose mission is to distract us from our sonship with Christ, corrupt our faith, and assume the prime place in our hearts. Are you serving him?

We must understand there’s a judgment against all ungodliness and idolatry, therefore, flee- Colossians 3:5,6.