How To Know The Truth About Idol Worship

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What do you value most? Is there something or someone you believe you can’t live without?

Do you struggle with idol worship?

There’s a verse in Exodus 20 that tends to be overlooked. Most of us have the 10 Commandments memorized but the most common list omits the second part of the first one.

“You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.

Exodus 20: 3–5a

As I focused on that middle verse, I felt challenged to ask myself … Do I have an idol?

The word idol is defined as:

1. An image or representation of a god used as an object of worship.
2. A person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered.
3. Biblical meaning – An image of a deity other than God.

There’s a common theme that runs throughout Scripture – lessons we can learn from the mistakes of others…

• This became a great sin, for the people worshiped the idols. 1 Kings 12:30
• Yes, they worshiped idols, despite the Lord’s specific and repeated warnings. 2 Kings 17:12
•  This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and fallen into sin. Ezekiel 14:4
• Instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 1:23
• A greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Ephesians 5:5

That’s just the shortlist.

God’s Word is clear … He wants us to love Him with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength and that cannot include idolatry in any form.

So, the more I’ve studied Scripture, the more I’ve had to ask myself if I have anything in my life that God would consider an idol. Do I have anything I value more than God? Are there habits, desires, or possessions passed down by those who’ve gone before me … things I’ve given idol status without knowing it? Are the celebrities or well-known teachers whose ideas I follow over the Word?

Is selfishness the greatest idol of all?

So, I came up with the following questions to help me take a closer look at my heart…

Questions to Identify Idol Worship in My Life

1. What is essential for my peace, joy, and happiness?
2. Where do I turn for comfort? When I’m worried? When I’m stressed or angry?
3. What is my greatest fear?
4. Who or what controls my moods?
5. Who or what do I trust or rely on most?
6. Where do I invest most of my time and money?
7. Could I go on if I had to live without ___________?
8. How much do I think about me?

Let’s call them – Tough questions that get to the heart of our hearts.

The Good News is that God forgives sin. Even this one! His grace is sufficient to cover our foolish attitudes and idols.

Because of all that God has done to pour His love over us … yes, because of Jesus, I want to know and deal with anything I’ve made an idol in my life. If you feel the same way, ask yourself the questions above and join me as I pray and ask God to grant us His grace and mercy yet again.

I need God’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy. And want to know and deal with anything I’ve allowed to become an idol in my life.

A Prayer to Identify and Reject Idol Worship

Father, You commanded Your people to worship You alone … to have no other God. You commanded them to stay away from all forms of idolatry. And You invited them to love You completely—with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength.

Complete love and worship include total surrender … it means being able to say, “Thy will be done.” When I place You as the center of my life, I acknowledge that You are the Lord of my life in everything I do and say. I know I am inconsistent in living surrendered and honoring You. Please forgive me and help me.

The Apostle John warned us to guard ourselves from idolatry … to avoid anything that could take Your place in our hearts. So, I will ask myself these important questions regularly to help me remain aware of things I’m tempted to worship.

You make all things possible in my life. Your love is greater than anything I can understand or imagine. In response to who You are and all You have done and continue to do … I give myself to You. I want You alone to be the heart of my heart. By Your grace and for Your glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pastor Kyle Idleman wrote…

“Idolatry isn’t just one of many sins; rather it’s the one great sin that all others come from. Idolatry isn’t an issue, it is the issue. Anything that becomes the purpose or driving force of your life probably points back to idolatry of some kind.”

The truth is that we need to ask ourselves the above questions often. We need to be honest with ourselves and know the attitude of our hearts.

Martin Luther wrote…

“Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, is really your God, your functional savior. ”

And the amazing blessing is that…

When you and I put God first in our lives everything else falls into place.

So, let’s do a deep dive into uncomfortable self-analysis to see if we have an unknown struggle with idol worship.

And then let’s prayerfully go to God and humbly ask Him to help us fully surrender ourselves to Him.

God be with you and bless you as you take on the idols in your life.

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