Idols & False Worship

Hosea 8:1-14, Mark 10:17-27, 1 Samuel 16:7

Idolatry isn’t a fun topic to discuss. If you’re like me, reading about idolatry can feel foreign, confusing and honestly outdated. I don’t have any gold calves in my house, I am not giving burnt offerings to other gods, and I try to read my Bible everyday. I talk about God, I say I love Him, I go to church. Those are good things to be doing, right?

Idols are tricky. And they are often hidden in our lives, beckoning our attention when we least expect it. This passage is a warning, not only to the people of Israel, but to us. God’s people would be attacked, and they would be taken back into captivity by the Assyrians. They would cry out to the Lord, but it would be too late because they had stubbornly refused to give up their idols. The people of God had put their hope in false gods, in self preservation and foreign alliances, but these precautions would fail them. Like the rich young ruler, the people of Israel couldn’t fathom giving up their idols and destruction was imminent. 

How often do we act like Israel? We call on God to ease our pain, but we don’t want to change our behavior. We go to church, and attend village, but our hearts aren’t operating out of affection for the Lord. We read verses or hear sermons that would really help our friends where they are struggling, but we are blind to the idols in our own lives. If you don’t believe me, take inventory of your thought life and you will be surprised by the amount of times you catch yourself giving in to jealousy, spite and judgement.

God sees through our false worship and knows the depths of our hearts. As you read this call to action today, would you ask God and community to reveal your idols, and run to worship the King of all kings.