Beware Of Idols

Idols come in many forms and can prevent us from being delighted by God, delivered by God, and being developed by God.

Exodus 20:4 (CSB) “Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth.”

Exodus 20:4 (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;”

Today’s text speaks right to where we live today. The Second Commandment says basically two things:

I. Don’t Idolize Anything

What is an idol? An idol is anything that shifts the focus away from God and toward something else.

What does your life focus on? What is your main priority? An idol isn’t necessarily negative; it can be something positive. Some people keep their idols in their garages. Others store their idols at the marina. Some keep theirs in the barn. Some put theirs in gun safes. Others place their idols in a safe deposit box.

Archaeologists tell us that throughout history, every culture has had idols: statues representing small gods or goddesses. For some reason, humans have a desire to turn objects, people, or things into objects of worship. God does not like that. In fact, He hates it! Idol worship is a serious matter. Look at verse 5, the last phrase – “...of those who hate me.” God is a jealous God and desires our worship exclusively.

In Bible times, there were three main idols. Baal was the god of sex, and his female counterpart was Ashtorah. Mammon was the god of money, and Molech was the god of violence. Sex, money, violence – what does that sound like today? (Hollywood, movies, TV)

Our shrines are not the ones you find in the homes of those who live in the eastern part of the world made of wood, stone, clay, or metal. Today, we have mental images, not metal images. Our shrine in America is the little box you plug in called the TV. On it, we watch and worship images of sex, money, and violence. Be careful that your children are learning to worship at these altars.

Deuteronomy 4:15–16 (NKJV) “Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, 16 lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female,”

Deuteronomy 4:15–16 (GNB) — 15 “When the Lord spoke to you from the fire on Mount Sinai, you did not see any form. For your own good, then, make certain 16 that you do not sin by making for yourselves an idol in any form at all—whether man or woman,

 The focus is on “For your own good.”

The outcome of idol worship:

A. Idols will Disappoint You

They always promise more than they can deliver. Jeremiah 10:14 (ESV) “Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them.”

We think that if we wear this label, we’ll be popular.

When you have this, it doesn’t get any better.

Buying this toothpaste will boost your sex appeal.

Wear this perfume or cologne; it will make us more attractive.

Whenever you place your expectation in anything other than God, you will face disappointment. Only God can fill the emptiness in your heart.

B. Idols will Dominate You

Paul said, 1 Corinthians 12:2 (CSB) — 2 You know that when you were pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute idols.

Highlight the phrases “to be enticed” and “led astray.”

The word we use today for idols is the word – “Addiction.” You can become addicted to work, sports, sex, drugs, etc.

Do you have an addiction?

You will be led astray. Some men pursue a job promotion so eagerly that they neglect their families. Some people feed a habit so much that it destroys their health.

Some of us are so worried about approval or disapproval from someone in our life that it controls our life. You're not just co-dependent; you're engaged in idolatry!

C. Idols will Deform You.

They will transform you. They’ll distort you. We become what we cherish most.

Psalm 115:8 (NKJV) “Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.”

We shape an idol and then it shapes us.

Illus.- Rich young ruler (yuppie) came to Christ and said “What must I do to follow you and have eternal life?” Jesus gave an odd answer, “Sell everything, give it to the poor and come follow Me.” No other time did Jesus say that to anybody. Why did He say it to this man? Because Jesus knew this man had an idol in his life – money, his bank account. What are you holding on to today? A relationship, a lifestyle, a career, a habit? An idol!

Illus. - A $50 dollar bill doesn’t look so big when you go through the checkout lane at the grocery store, does it? Why does it seem so large when the offering plate is passed around in church?

Joke – A family was heading home from church, and the father was complaining: “The sermon was too long, the music was too loud, the room was too hot.” His little boy in the back seat said, “Dad, I didn’t think it was such a bad show for a buck.”

Idols will distract you, dominate you, disappoint you, and eventually destroy you. God says in this second Commandment, “Don’t Idolize Anything!” He also says:

II. Worship Only God

What is worship? It means to give our highest love and devotion. Have you ever heard someone say, “I worship the ground she walks on”? God says, “Worship only me.”

Romans 1:25 (CSB) “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.”

Some people focus on creation and worship it instead of the creator.

It’s remarkable what people choose to worship today. Some worship nature – radical environmentalists who worship trees and forests. Others worship astrology, crystals, good luck charms, and animals. Many believe in these things despite their lack of scientific support.

Why do people want to turn God into a statue or a form they can bow down to?

A. It is an Attempt to corner God (limit His location)

If I can put him in a statue or crystal, then I can know exactly where he is. If I don’t want him around, I can put him in a drawer or leave him at home. That way, I feel a lot better when I do something wrong. If I can keep God on a shelf or at church, then I’ve got him under control—cornered.

B. It is an Attempt to constrain God (reduce his power and size)

I’m going to whittle Him down to size. If I think of God as a statue, a box, or just an idea (God’s only in the Bible), then God feels less imposing and less threatening.

We have reversed what the Bible says in Genesis, chapter one, “Let us make man in our image.”

We are instead saying, “Let us make God in man’s image.”

Everyone has their own idea of God. They might say, “My idea of God is that He is a universal force.” Or, “God is Santa Claus.”

It's much easier for me to change my perception of God than to change myself.

If God says, “Don’t commit adultery,” I can just change my image of God to justify my sin. That is idolatry.

Joke – A little girl was drawing a picture at school and she told her teacher, “I’m drawing a picture of God.” The teacher said, “But nobody knows what God looks like.” The little girl said, “They will when I get done.”

Isn’t that what we do—create our own image of God through the way we live?

C. It is an Attempt to Control God

When you have an idol, the worshipper gains more control. Many people look for a god they can manipulate.

Joke – A little boy wanted a new bicycle and told his mom. She said, “Why don’t you pray about it?” He decided to write a letter to Jesus. “Dear Jesus, I want a new bicycle and I’ve been perfect for the last year.” He knew that wasn’t right so he threw that piece of paper away. He wrote, “Dear Jesus, I’ve been a good boy most of the time.” He knew that was wrong so he started again, “Dear Jesus, I want to be a good boy.” He knew that wasn’t right either, so he threw that away too. He goes into the living room, grabs the statue of Mary, wraps it in a towel and throws it under the bed. Then he writes, “If you ever want to see your mother again…”

We reason with God, “You owe me this.” “I deserve this.” But, we can’t manipulate God. He manipulates us.

There are three benefits of worshipping God only:

1. It will Delight Me (fulfillment)

Psalm 37:4 (CSB) “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”

Many people who come to Christ late in life will say, “My only regret is that I didn’t come to Christ sooner.” They are enjoying life so much more now.

Romans 10:11 (NKJV) — 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

Don’t settle for an image of God; receive the real thing.

2. It will Deliver Me (freedom)

Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”

The Bible says, “If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed!”

(1) Set free from the approval of others. You don’t have to please 30 people- you can’t. Live for an audience of One – God.

(2) You are set free from your past – forgiven. Your present- empowered to break habits. Your future – not afraid of dying.

3. It will Develop Me

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV) — 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

We are being changed into His image.

Closing

What do you idolize?

 What or whom do you worship?

God wants you to worship Him and Him only.

Will you commit your life to Him today?

For you and your family, you can pray a simple prayer, “Jesus, I want to know you, worship you, follow you.”