Tags
2 Corinthians 6:16-18, Colossians 3:5-8, Coveteousness is as Idolatry, Ezekiel 14:2-6, Following Jesus not man, Guard Your Heart, Idolatry, Luke 3:43-45, Matthew 12:35, Matthew 15:18-20, Matthew 7:13-14, Not All Idols Are Statuary!, Proverbs 4:23-27, Psalm 139:23-24, What are you idols, Who are YOU following?
Bible Ballistics: BBs #760 Not All Idols Are Statuary!!!
I’m sure this seems like an odd title and subject and it probably is, but I think it worthy of our time to consider. God had a powerful word to Ezekiel about this subject.
“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
3 Son of man,
these men have set up their idols
in their heart,
and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity
before their face:
should I be enquired of at all
by them?
4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them,
Thus saith the Lord GOD;
Every man of the house of Israel
that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock
of his iniquity
before his face,
and cometh to the prophet;
I the LORD will answer him that cometh
according to the multitude of his idols;
5 That I may take the house of Israel
in their own heart,
because they are all estranged from me
through their idols.
6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel,
Thus saith the Lord GOD;
Repent,
and turn yourselves
from your idols;
and turn away your faces
from all your abominations.” Ezekiel 14:2-6
Idols don’t have to be made of stone, wood, or precious metals and jewels; the most harmful and destructive are the idols we erect in our hearts. This is what God told Ezekiel! And when we erect idols in our heart, they can not only destroy our lives but the lives of those we influence—and we all influence someone, there are little eyes and ears that are watching us, as well as the eyes and ears of people who are our peers! What are we teaching by our life choices—are our idols subtilty affecting others? Are we causing others to take the road to hell instead of the way of the cross? Small choices can make a big difference in our life and the life of those around us. Do our actions lead us closer to the cross? Do they lead others to the cross of Jesus, or the wide road of destruction? Jesus made it clear that there are two roads and only one of them leads to God and His salvation through Jesus, the other to hell.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate:
for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be
which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life,
and few there be
that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
Our eternal destiny and the destiny of those around us are often dependent on our choices, and when we fill our heart with the pleasures and glitter of the world it will affect our life! Jesus also told us that the evil comes from our own heart, not statues—but our own heart full of evil that we allow to affect us! What are we allowing into our hearts and minds? How are you and I being affected by the choice we make in our daily activities, our daily pleasures, our daily media control, or our entertainment influences, and we could go on, but the point is we need to guard what goes into our eyes, our ears, our heart, and our mind—to keep our focus on Jesus, His Word and His way! We can find some great advice from the Proverbs; will we heed it?
“Keep thy heart with all diligence;
for out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee
a froward mouth,
and perverse lips
put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes
look right on,
and let thine eyelids
look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet,
and let all thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand
nor to the left:
remove thy foot
from evil.” Proverbs 4:23-27
And Jesus own advice:
“But those things
which proceed out of the mouth
come forth from the heart;
and they defile the man.
19 For out of the heart
proceed
evil thoughts,
murders,
adulteries,
fornications,
thefts,
false witness,
blasphemies:
20 These are the things
which defile a man…”. Matthew 15:18-20a
There is one passage of scripture which is most convicting, and I think maybe we all need the conviction of The Word and The Spirit of God. (And if you don’t know a word—look it up, you might be surprised!)
“Mortify therefore your members
which are upon the earth;
fornication,
uncleanness,
inordinate affection,
evil concupiscence,
and covetousness,
which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake
the wrath of God cometh
on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked
some time,
when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also
put off all these;
anger,
wrath,
malice,
blasphemy,
filthy communication
out of your mouth.” Colossians 3:5-8
In closing I want to share God’s Word rather than my own, may we heed it and pursue truth, righteousness, and cleanse our hearts of the idols we have allowed to affect us, which in turn affects those around us. Let’s be faithful witnesses of Jesus saving grace at Calvary rather than the lies of the world!
“And what agreement
hath the temple of God
with idols?
for ye are the temple of the living God;
as God hath said,
I will dwell in them,
and walk in them;
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them,
and be ye separate,
saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing;
and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you,
and ye shall be my sons
and daughters,
saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:16-18
“A good man
out of the good treasure
of the heart
bringeth forth good things:
and an evil man
out of the evil treasure
bringeth forth evil things.” Matthew 12:35
“Search me, O God,
and know my heart:
try me,
and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way
in me,
and lead me
in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
“For a good tree
bringeth not forth
corrupt fruit;
neither doth a corrupt tree
bring forth
good fruit.
44 For every tree
is known by his own fruit.
For of thorns
men do not gather figs,
nor of a bramble bush
gather they grapes.
45 A good man
out of the good treasure
of his heart
bringeth forth that which is good;
and an evil man
out of the evil treasure
of his heart
bringeth forth that which is evil:
for of the abundance of the heart
his mouth speaketh.” Luke3 6:43-45
Where are your idols? What are your idols? They’re not just statuary—but much more likely, wickedness in our hearts, which we often delude ourselves into thinking it’s acceptable. So, choose wisely, there is a test; and remember, others are following your steps (even when you don’t know they are there!)—where are my/your steps leading?
Amen and Amen!!!