I’m passionate about my family, gardening, fishing, coaching track and field throwing events, and equipping people to know Jesus, grow up in Him, and make Him known to others.
Idolatry is being more passionate about something or someone than we are about God. How we spend our disposable time, energy, and money and what we think and talk about when we are free to think and talk about anything reveals our passions.
The default setting of our sinful natures is idolatry. We need no instruction in it. Not everyone is a natural athlete, but we’re all natural idolaters.
“Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests” (Ezekiel 14:3 NLT)? The word translated as “idols” probably refers to dung. That portrays the folly of substituting and valuing the comparatively worthless for the immeasurably Worthy One.
True worship is acknowledging that God created us, trusting Him, and looking to Him for truth, happiness, security, and our future. When physical drives and passions rule over us and exploit others, we miss the deep satisfaction of building others up.
Even seemingly harmless church traditions can entangle us and become God’s rivals (Mark 7:8–9). A former parishioner declared a holy war because the board listing the hymns for the day was moved to a different location in the sanctuary! How can we protect ourselves against the unimportant controlling us like the wind blows a leaf?
The Thessalonians turned from idols to serve the living God wholeheartedly (1 Thessalonians 1:9). How do we do it? We need a plan.
Let me suggest seven tests for avoiding idol worship.
1. The Calendar Test
The calendar test examines how we use our disposable time to love God and others. Would an objective observer viewing our monthly activities conclude that we’re denying ourselves and following Jesus or that other things are more important to us?
2. The Checkbook Test
The checkbook test examines how we use our disposable income to love God and others. Would examining how we spend our money convince the same observer that we’re denying ourselves, taking up our crosses, and following our Lord?
3. The Energy Test
The Apostle Paul wrote, “That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me” (Colossians 1:29 NLT). Would the observer conclude we’re consistently, diligently working unto weariness to further God’s Kingdom?
4. The Pie Plate Test
Imagine a pie representing our interests and passions cut into eight pieces. For me, they could be family, coaching, fishing, gardening, etc. God, the pie plate, underlies every piece. He should never be just another piece receiving 12.5 percent of our attention and devotion.
5. The Prayer Test
Do our prayers progressively reflect God’s will for our lives? Does what moves His heart, move ours more and more?
For more than five years I’ve prayed daily for God to help me love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). That helps me keep the main thing the main thing.
I ask Him to help me love my neighbor as myself (Matthew 22:37–39). Love my fellow Christians as Jesus loves me (John 13:34–35). Love my wife as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25). Love those who have hurt me, mentioning them by name (Matthew 5:44). I challenge you to do the same.
6. The Thanksgiving Test
Let’s humbly remember that our abilities are God’s gifts and give Him the glory. Everything we have is from Him. We can’t do anything spiritually significant ourselves (1 Corinthians 4:7).
We’re naturally glory thieves, black holes that absorb it all. I received an email giving positive feedback on a blog I wrote. My initial response was to write, “Thank you.” Instead, I wrote, “To God be the glory.” Thanksgiving is the drain plug of our idolatry.
I should have written, “Thank you. To God be the glory.” “Thank you” acknowledges others’ encouragement. We need it. “To God be the glory” recognizes God as the source of every good and perfect gift. Let’s quit stealing His glory.
7. The Driver Test
Is the Holy Spirit of Jesus in the driver’s seat of our lives? Is He controlling and empowering us? If not, our default setting is idolatry. That makes God very angry and jealous. #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources
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