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idolatry

A perpetual factory of idols

May 16, 2025May 13, 2025 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

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

Modern idolatry

May 15, 2025May 13, 2025 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

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

June 5, 2019June 4, 2019 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

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

November 1, 2018October 31, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

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?

October 31, 2018October 30, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

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?

October 29, 2018October 28, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

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

April 24, 2018April 23, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

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

May 27, 2017May 26, 2017 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

None of us bow down to golden calves anymore. Or do we? How addiction to homes or "likes" or egos can strangle your soul.

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