Biblical Heart Check, Idolatry

 Idolatry 

Today we continue to dive deep into this Prayer that David prayed to God and challenges us to do the same;

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Pslam 139:23-24

As we are discussing, it is scary for us to pray because of the answers that God may give us. We may be going to church. Some may even be reading their Bible all the time and praying daily. However, are there distractions in your heart?

How about this one? Idolatry: This refers to worshipping anything other than God, including created things or even ourselves. It can manifest in a desire for power, status, or pleasure that supersedes our devotion to God.

This one is so offensive to God and so easy for us to fall into, that He created the Second Commandment for it.

"You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:5-7

Idolatry is of course, any statue, or "any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth." That would include the statue of Saint Peter, Paul, Luke, or John, by the way. That would include that statue of this or that Saint, by the way. That would include that statue of Mary, by the way. That would also include the statue of Jesus or the Crucifix, by the way. Just something to think about.

There is nothing wrong with being a good "Christian." Being a good "Catholic." "Jew." "Muslim." Whatever. There is nothing wrong with having faith in the church. However, when you read Jesus is "The Way, Truth, and Life," and your church or religion does not teach you that Jesus is the "Door," then you are in the wrong religion. If you read "Thou shalt not commit Idolatry" and walk into a church and see people worshiping at the foot of statues and praying to this and that Saint, you may want to rethink this. There is nothing wrong with obedience to a certain church or religion, as long as that church and religion is teaching you the Truth according to God. Not solely the traditions of men.

If you do not worship statues, good for you. Can you say Astrology? Horoscopes and such? The Sun, Moon, and Stars will not protect you, nor keep you safe. When you look upon them, you are looking at a Creation. They are to God, what the most beautiful building is to man. They are nothing more than created things. They have no life in them. God warns us about this in His Word.

“And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.” Deuteronomy 4:19

This is growing and one that is the most seductive idol. The idol of self. You need nothing and no one. You are not only enough, but you are the best. Most important. You are a “god.” Sound familiar?

“How you are fallen from heaven,

O Day Star, son of Dawn!

How you are cut down to the ground,

you who laid the nations low!

You said in your heart,

‘I will ascend to heaven;

above the stars of God

I will set my throne on high;

I will sit on the mount of the assembly

in the far reaches of the north;

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

I will make myself like the Most High.’

But you are brought down to Sheol,

to the far reaches of the pit.

Those who see you will stare at you

and ponder over you:

‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble,

who shook kingdoms,

who made the world like a desert

and overthrew its cities,

who did not let his prisoners go home?’ Isaiah 14:12-17

“You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” Lucifer, as he was known then, wanted to be the most important. He wanted people to bow down in front of him. Worship him. Look what he said to Jesus.

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.” Matthew 4:8-9

This is what he tempted Adam and Eve with.

“But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

Look what society tells our kids. “There is no god.” “You only live once.” “You are special and you are in control of your future.” “Look out for number one.” If you put yourself out there, social media and such, you could be the next big thing.” “The next “influencer with thousands of followers.” Sound familiar?

Look at social media for a second. There are those on social media that make $30,000.00 a day for a 10-minute video. Some make so much money and have so many followers that they make videos where they give money away. Is there anything wrong with them giving money away to those who need it? No. Not really. But why are they? Think about it. Look at what Jesus said here.

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4

Social media has become a source of child abuse. We have parents out there who are letting their underage daughters, some very underage daughters, dance in bathing suits, underwear, and in some cases, nothing, showing little bits of themselves for the pedophiles out there to watch.

Why? The more views, the more followers, and the more they could make money. We used to call nude or semi-nude pictures and videos of little kids, child porn. It used to be a crime. That no longer seems to be the case. Some of those happy little faces doing their dance are doing so because they are being forced to. There have been reports that in other countries, there are compounds full of young girls who are forced to make videos.

Even if we do not go to the extreme, just think about things like FB. Yeah, I know. I have one. I post these messages on it. I share pics, and I share life moments. I look forward to waking up and seeing how many people “liked” my posts. Where is the line though? Social Media is a tool. Like with all tools, it can be used for something good, or it can be turned and twisted into something evil. You could be reading this message on Social Media, or you could be watching porn. You get the point. You could even become consumed with how many “followers” you have as well so PLEASE be careful. The Idol of self is very powerful. One that can and will consume you totally if you let it. Think about this, even back in the day, people were worried about followers and being great. When Jesus was asked, "Who will be the greatest in Heaven?" He answered this way.

“And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:2-6

Jesus also told us this.

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”Mark 10:45

And here?

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:13-16

It is not about you. It never was. It never will be. It is about serving others. It is in the very service to others, that God can equip you and bless you. It is not about you. You cannot say you serve God if you are not serving others.

What did Jesus do? Teach, preach, and show the way. He came to serve us. He came to serve us to the point of His torture, abuse, and death. What have you done for your fellow man lately? We have not reached the point of torture and death in this country. Yet. People are being tortured and killed because of the name of Jesus all over the world. Yet they keep spreading the Word. Are you? Or are you worried about losing “followers” if you post something like the real meaning of the Rainbow? Are you worried about offending someone with the truth?

Think about this. If you are, are you now choosing to put yourself before God? Think about that for a second. If you are fearful, that you will lose followers, friends, and or even family, because of your faith in God, then are you not choosing yourself to be more important than God? Jesus put it this way.

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming into his kingdom.” Matthew 16:24-28

Again, folks, it is ok to be on social media. It is a tool and can be a great way to stay in touch with family and friends. It can be a good way to spread the Gospel. However, be careful that it does not become an avenue to sin. Either by viewing things you should not, or attempting to use it as a tool to commit the original sin. Pride and self-promotion. Remember another warning from Jesus. He said this.

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12

Put the “Idol of Self” and all Idolatry away from you and do not seek it out again. Put that Idol of anything you put in front of God away, and do not seek it again. Put God First in your heart, and your head. Seek first His kingdom. Seek His will for you and your life. You will have a much fuller and happier life.

Have you been adopted? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!