In yesterday’s devotional I highlighted two questions from Tim Keller’s book, Counterfeit Gods.** Today I’m going to highlight two more. They are designed to help us think about our ultimate commitments. Is God number one in our lives, or have we let something or someone else compete for the throne that only belongs to him?1. … Continue reading A perpetual factory of idols
idolatry
Modern idolatry
In Exodus 20:3-4 God says: “you shall have no other gods before me.” Makes sense. After all, he is our Creator and Redeemer.He goes on to say: “You shall not make for yourself an idol…” No problem. Back in Egypt and Canaan, people crafted idols, usually out of wood or stone. They represented the deity … Continue reading Modern idolatry
Subconscious worship
I’m a firm believer that what you do shapes you. I’ve talked about that before. Your daily habits impact your thinking and your decisions. When you pray regularly, you’re more likely to see God at work in your daily life. And when you serve or volunteer regularly, you’re more likely to feel like the hands … Continue reading Subconscious worship
Piercing themselves with many griefs
We’ve been talking about idolatry, and how, when many of us hear that word, we think of ancient peoples bowing down to man-made statues. But our understanding of idolatry is often too narrow. Here’s how I think of it: Idolatry is giving first place priority to something or someone who isn’t God. With that definition … Continue reading Piercing themselves with many griefs
What is your (real) goal?
On Monday we talked about idolatry. When many of us hear that word, we think of ancient peoples bowing down to man-made statues. But our understanding of idolatry might be too narrow. Here’s how I define modern idolatry. It’s giving first place priority to something or someone who isn’t God. With that definition in mind, … Continue reading What is your (real) goal?
Modern idols?
When we hear the word "idolatry," many of us think of ancient peoples bowing down to man-made statues. In Exodus 20:3 God says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” No other gods? Check. No problem there! But our understanding of idolatry might be too narrow. Here’s how I define modern idolatry. It’s giving first … Continue reading Modern idols?
The idolatry of our feelings
In Jonah 1:1 we read, “The word of the LORD came to Jonah… ‘Go to the great city of Ninevah and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.’” Jonah didn’t want to do it, so he fled on a ship in the exact opposite direction. He was thrown overboard and swallowed … Continue reading The idolatry of our feelings
What we value most deeply
None of us bow down to golden calves anymore. Or do we? How addiction to homes or "likes" or egos can strangle your soul.