It is generally accepted in society that certain behaviors are wrong.  Whether we hold the Bible to be absolutely true or not, this is indisputable.  Drug addiction is seen as something to overcome at best, and outright despicable at worst.  When something comes into our lives that is overtly destructive, it’s only a matter of time before the pain of change is less than the pain of continuity.  These are things like an abusive relationship, a drug or alcohol addiction, or sexual deviance.  These are things we can identify as “idols” in a person’s life.   The obsession with drugs, sex, alcohol, or money are clear, overt idols that steal our joy and send us into a perpetual cycle of destructive behavior.  It’s the stuff interventions are made of.

But what about food?  is food an idol?  What about that security?  Is security an idol?

An idol isn’t just when we take something that is taboo and delve headlong into it.  An idol is more often a good intention that we have turned into our savior. Or more simply put, you worship what you sacrifice for.  For example; providing for your family is not a bad thing.  It is a good thing, a necessary thing, a Godly thing.   Providing turns into sin when the whole of our days are spent seeking and worshiping money, security, and provision all while sacrificing time with our family or time with Jesus.  Unfortunately it  is not until the idolatry overwhelms us or begins to take over our life in destructive ways  that we begin to see the issue.  We usually won’t see it until our kids cry out for attention in unhealthy ways because we were never there.  We were instead worshipping the god of provision at the temple of our desk.   See how sneaky these idols can be?   It’s not just bad things taking over.  It’s putting all our time, energy, and resources into things that are NOT Jesus.  This means that literally ANYTHING can be a god.  You can sacrifice everything even to the god of doing nothing on the altar of xbox, in the temple of your dorm room.

So how do we identify idols in our life?  One easy way is to answer this question.  What’s the one thing that will make it all better?  Got it?  That’s probably a god in your life.  Most of us, it’s money.  For some it’s even overcoming that one issue.   They sacrifice relationships with family on the altar of chip night at the temple of AA.  Literally anything can become a god.  I know of many pastors who have sacrificed health, finances, families, and friends on the altar of ministry at the temple of “church”.  Even ministry can become a god when it takes the place of Jesus in your life.

In Jeremiah, after reminding His people of what He had done, God chastises his people and says this.  “for my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and have hewed out cisterns, broken cisterns that hold no water.”  Jeremiah 2:13

When we make gods out of things; when we worship created things instead of creator God, we are giving up pure, refreshing water for pond scum.  We are giving up clean, refreshing life which can be dangerous at times, for the putrid, comfortable stench of a god we can control.   We take the things that were meant to enhance our life and instead give them a place in our life where they can never measure up.

Our response in this moment should be to turn from our self made gods and run to God. Instead of waking up and going to bed with the heaviness of feeding your idol through how you can work harder or make more, spend your day focusing on how you can bring God glory in your home, workplace or school, relationships, and thoughts.   Find ways to worship him not just in song but in all you think and do.  Sacrifice your life to the God who is alive, not the god you made in a tuperware container.

Sascha Webb