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The Giant of Idolatry
Today we are unmasking the giant of idolatry. Idolatry is:
• Anything the raises self in place of God
• Anything that claims the loyalty that belongs to God
In Scripture, God makes clear his hatred of idolatry:
• "I am the LORD, that is my name; and my glory I will not give to another, nor my praise to carved images." (Isaiah 42:8 NKJV)
• "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3 NKJV)
• "You shall not make for yourself a carved image - any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them." (Exodus 20:4-5 NKJV)
Idolatry can be either:
(a) Open, such as where statues of Buddha, or of family gods, or where totem poles are visible in the home and on the street.
(b) Hidden, in the forms of witchcraft, spiritism and immorality. Idolatry that is 'invisible' is none the less real, and all the more dangerous, than open idolatry.
The challenge of idolatry faces the church as well as society. The giant of idolatry can find its way into the church under the guise of:
• Self-promotion, climbing the hierarchical ladder, and pride
• The cult of personality e.g. exalting worship leaders and/or ministers
• Syncretism e.g. people who claim to be both practising Methodists and Spiritists
• Perversion and immorality
• The worship of forms, traditions, styles and of worship itself
The challenge of idolatry faces each one of us individually. Deep down, we can easily become proud and self-centred, 'looking after number one', a phrase which betrays the idolatry behind it.
It is time for the church in North Staffordshire to crown the resurrected Jesus as Lord over every aspect of our personal lives. Dare you pray for revelation about those areas in your life where self is promoted above God, then take steps to put it right?
In the words of the hymn-writer William Cowper:
'Return, O heavenly dove, return, sweet messenger of rest.
I hate the sins that made the mourn and drove thee from my breast.
The dearest idol I have known, whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from thy throne and worship only thee!'
Summary of the message given by Robert Mountford on 28 February 2002 at the '2 Chronicles 7' meeting.
Robert is the Director of City Vision Ministries, whose purpose is 'to inform and inspire God's people towards the fulfilment of the church's mission to disciple all nations.'