Idolatry in 21st Century America
“Little children, guard yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21)
The issue of idolatry is often difficult for modern day Christians to get their minds around and as a result, they don’t believe they are involved in it. No doubt this is in large part due to the mental image that comes to mind when the words idol or idolatry are used. Many, immediately think of wooden or metal statues formed to represent the gods of ancient world religions. With that as their standard, they mistakenly assume they are not involved with idolatry because they don’t have any idols laying around their home or office. And they certainly aren’t worshipping anyone else’s idols either.
But the truth is idolatry is not limited to wooden or metal statues but can literally be anything that captures our heart and becomes a higher priority than our relationship with God. It could be one’s love of sports, career, clothes, money, romantic relationships, even good things like marriage, kids, grandkids, ministry calling or sacrificially serving others. Again, it can literally be anything that captures our heart or we put your trust in for our current or future well-being.
In his book, Counterfeit Gods, Tim Keller offers some reflection questions to get at whether we have allowed idols to get set up in our hearts. He says,
"the true god of your heart is what your thoughts effortlessly go to when there is nothing else demanding your attention. What do you enjoy daydreaming about? What do you habitually think about to get joy and comfort in the privacy of your heart? How do you spend your money? Our money flows most effortlessly toward your heart’s greatest love."
David Powlison, writing in The Journal of Biblical Counseling says,
has something or someone besides Jesus Christ taken title to your heart’s functional trust, preoccupation, loyalty, service, fear, and delight? To who or what do you look for life-sustaining stability, security, and acceptance?”
Our answers will often reveal idols or at the very least inordinate affections that are in violation of the first and greatest commandment. Jesus said “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38) Anything that usurps this first love is idolatry.
The apostle John ends his first letter with the admonition, “little children, guard yourselves from idols.” It seems like a strange way to end his letter until you remember the content of the letter. He spends several chapters highlighting how sin is inconsistent with love and the one who loves God will refrain from sin. He also knows the human heart is given to the establishment of idols. It is almost like an idol factory, making idols whenever there is a vacuum. John says we are to “guard ourselves” and the best way to do that is practice loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Secondarily, we remain vigilant in examining the affections of our heart on a regular basis to prevent even good things from becoming idols. These practices will go a long way in enabling us to live the abundant life Jesus died to give us!
Author
Pastor Bruce is the Executive Director of God's Living Stones. He lives in Omaha, NE, with his wife Barb. They have two adult children.
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