All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
False Idols
What are the idols in our lives that we hold on to?
Can circumstances be idols?
Taking a look at ourselves with the the Holy Spirit is very helpful. :-)
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on
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>>What are the idols in our lives that we hold on to?
That is a big question my brother, because as you know there are as many idols as there are people.
Common idols are relationships (especially romantic ones), the world of entertainment, Work, mood altering substances, SELF (me, myself and I); demonic idols as the worship of Mary and Saints... the list goes on and one beloved.
Examining our lives is a "MUST."
>>Can circumstances be idols?
Yes - that is why we came up with the Blues. haha
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Permalink Reply by journeyman on
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Thanks David! Just a question to keep us thinking and examining ourselves. Much appreciated Brother.
JM
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Permalink Reply by Colby on
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Indeed, and what you is so critically important, it bears repeating: Examining our lives is "MUST."
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Permalink Reply by Amanda on
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I found this article and agree with it:
http://www.gotquestions.org/idolatry-modern.html
It is a good thing that salvation is by grace through faith and not works. It is a good thing that salvation is about being forgiven because we are not good instead of about becoming good so that we can be forgiven and be saved.
One sentence that spoke to me was that we will never find happiness focusing on ourselves. Yet, I don't know of one single person who loves God with all their heart, mind, strength, body, and soul. I long for heaven and to be free of this world and the sin in it.
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Thank you Amanda for your share! Very much appreciated.
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Luke 9:23
New International Version (NIV)
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Letting go of Self, denying the things we hold onto as "important" Sex, money,work, food, alcohol, relationships, gossip, careers, all these are what Jesus is speaking of. So for us as "Born Again" believers are we able to let go of these idols? I believe "yes we can" We are new creatures. The Holy Spirit is in us. Let us look at what holds us back from leaving our "idols" behind.
Romans 8
[ Life Through the Spirit ] Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ....
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"Anything can serve as a counterfeit god, especially the very best things in life."
~ Timothy Keller in "Counterfeit Gods"When we think of "false idols", we Christians recall those mentioned in the Old Testament, which men made from gold and other precious metals and worshiped instead of the one true God.
In First Corinthians, Paul writes: "There is no such thing as idol in the world, and that there is no God but one" (8:4).
Yet, many in our postmodern world worship idols. Some might take exception to this. Because, in their view, you see, idols are limited to objects made of precious metal that people bow down and pray to as in ancient times.
Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, wrote a book a few years ago on this subject entitled "Counterfeit Gods." In it he writes,"If anything becomes more fundamental than God to your happiness, meaning in life, and identity, then it is an idol."
Such things as fame, the need to be "in love," wealth, material possessions, power, drug and/or alcohol abuse and misuse, sexual immorality, self-absorption, etc. become idols when they take our focus off of Jesus Christ. Idols are the things that we slavishly follow and to which we attach ourselves. And when we follow idols instead of loving and serving God, they ultimately gain control over us. As Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth" (Mat6:24).
The Apostle Paul writes, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry" (1Cor10:14). We may know that idols are not real and that they are not true gods, and, therefore, think that they are harmless. But we must not forget that these can be and often are the means used by Satan and his demons to deceive and lead people away from God and toward himself.
Remember, as Paul told the Ephesians, "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Eph6:12).
As Paul writes, "Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we greater than he?" (1Cor10:22). This is essentially what we are doing when allow ourselves to become slaves to idols. This often happens unintentionally and gradually, as we find ourselves going down a slippery slope, until we are overtaken.
“The human heart takes good things like a successful career, love,
material possessions, even family, and turns them into ultimate things.
Our hearts deify them as the center of our lives, because, we think, they can give us
significance and security, safety and fulfillment, if we attain them.”
~ Timothy Keller
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A fantastic book! I have read it and was very happy to have my perspective widened by it. God is at work in and for each of us. Let us pray for his will and guidance as we continue to leave our "Idols" behind and accept Jesus and follow him in earnest desire.
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Permalink Reply by a servant (Chris) on
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Journeyman
When we consider the idea of idols and their effect on us. A long time ago I heard this statement, "Whatever you turn to in your hour of need that is your god." And, when you mentioned circumstances, I began to wonder in combination with what I heard long ago. If, our circumstances positive or negative, if we consider them to be, what makes us up or keeps us down. We are giving our faith to these condition. If poor we may say, "I am poor so that is what keeps me poor." If wealthy then we may hear, "I am and will always be rich." Sadly I think, most do not stop there. With the rich man we may hear, "I have No need for God, l was born rich and have worked hard to increase my wealth." Again, the poor man might say, "I have been cursed since birth, God does not Love me nor will that change." So I guess in these ways people can put their beliefs in circumstances.
In another way, both the rich and poor man can worship gold, silver, and rare jewels. Believing in or believing that something has the power, something greater than yourself to take care of you; to meet all your needs. The truth is possessing or not, does not matter, you have made it into your god; your idol.
If we continue down this line of thinking. We can apply this to many things. Praise God, for Jesus in our lives, for The Holy Spirit, and The Father working on our behalf. Great question JM, for one can see just how easy it maybe for one to make idols. We need to be kept on our toes, well I know I do at times. Hope this made some sense. I know it has given me things to consider.
Lord Bless you Brother
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