JUL 14

Philippians 3:18-19
Memorise 1 John 5:21
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols”

A superficial reading of this commandment would lead one to complacently assume that we are safe, simply because we do not have physical idols in our homes. We do not visit the temples or subscribe to any other heathen religions and thus, with a clear conscience, we can declare that we have no other gods besides our LORD God Jehovah.

The scope of this commandment does not just limit us to other gods in the sense of other religions, or other physical idols. When we are commanded not to have other gods, it would refer also to the idols in our hearts, things that take the place of God in our lives. As Paul described those who were the ‘enemies of the cross of Christ’, their god was their own belly, because they cared only for earthly things, and not for the things of Christ. This describes a person who worships his own appetites, who lives to gratify his own wants and desires. Literally, his own body, his belly is his god! These ‘enemies of the cross of Christ’ are proud of things that are shameful when compared to the glory of God. Is this a description of you?

In this day and age, there are so many things grappling for a young person’s attention. If we are not careful, excessive time and energy spent on a certain interest, fascination or vocation can quickly become a ‘god’ in our life, causing us to break the first commandment. Like the enemies of Christ, we would worship the things that grant us pleasure and satisfaction. We would seek after fun and leisure through the computer games and sports we enjoy, or choose to idolise certain celebrities, having our minds consumed with a desire to watch them, to read up about them, and daily dream of meeting them.

Paul tells us that for such people, their end is destruction, and they will be ashamed. A life lived in pursuit of the things of the earth, for the various gods in our lives, is not a life worth living at all. We are simply on an aimless and shameful road to destruction, for we do not have the glory, praise and worship of God as the goal in our lives.

Thought: If I am not careful, even my belly can become my god!
Prayer: Lord, help me to keep my heart from idols and serve You alone.