Too often we deal with
symptoms rather than the root problem. For example, when we have an issue with
eating too much we rid the house of the foods that might cause us to binge. If
we have an anger problem, we count to ten. If you have a cursing problem, you
get a swear jar. But those "solutions" are like taking aspirin when
you have a headache. They might deal with some of the symptoms but don't get at
the underlying problem. The root problem is idolatry. Until that god is
dethroned and the Lord God takes his rightful place, you will not have victory.
What if idolatry is not
about statues? What if the gods of here and now are not cosmic deities with
strange names? What if they take identities that are so ordinary that we don't
recognize them as gods at all? What if we do our "kneeling" and our
"bowing" with our imaginations, our checkbooks, our search engines, and
our calendars? What if every sin that you are struggling with, every
discouragement you are dealing with, and even the lack of purpose you're living
with are because of idolatry?
"You were taught, with
regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being
corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your
minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness
and holiness.
Be imitators of God,
therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ
loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to
God." Ephesians 4:22-24; 5:1-2
What are some cultural idols
that you see around you? Another way of asking this would be, "What is
held up and pursued? What is glorified and honored?"
What are things that we look
to as a source of power, control, and safety? In other words, what do we try to
replace God with in our lives?
