Keep God First: No Idols

                           


Distraction-a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.

In this day in age it is so easy to get distracted and take our eyes off Christ. Distractions are literally looming around every corner. In my opinion, technology and social media are probably two of the biggest distractions out there. We have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, Kik, iPhones, Androids, etc. and many other forms of technology that are constantly vying for our attention. Now I'm not saying that social media is bad, I believe it can be a great way to stay in touch with others, but when you have to check your news feed every 30 seconds to see if you have any more likes, retweets, or comments then there lies an issue. The same goes for technology. For others it may be money, drugs, a career, food, sex, or fame. We do crazy things to obtain the things that we feel we cannot live without. Once you allow those things to consume your life or to become the focal point for the decisions that you make they turn into idols. God wants and deserves our full attention and devotion!!

I'm going to be honest. Last Sunday, I decided that I was going to eliminate all forms of social media from my life this week, Monday-Friday, because I felt God tugging on my heart. I had fallen into the trap of giving more attention to social media than I was God. Social media didn't save me from myself, God did. Social media did not send a son to die on the cross for my sins, God did. Social media did not heal me of my insecurities and low self-esteem, God did. I had started to notice that I wasn't reading my Bible nor praying as much as I used to. Slowly over time I had allowed social media to become an idol in my life. So I took the initiative to temporarily delete certain apps and actually use my phone for good by spending more time using the Bible app, listening to sermons and worship music. I also spent more time in prayer and meditating on God's Word. Pretty much tried to drown out the world and focus on Christ. You may be thinking that sounds a little extreme but God is very clear in His Word that he does not and will not tolerate idols of any kind.

Exodus 20:3 says:
"You shall have no other gods before me."

An idol is a false god. It is not necessarily a person or an object representing a person, like a statue or an image of someone or something. An idol can be something that we cannot see, such as idols of our heart, or an idea. Basically anything:

• Placed above God
• In place of God
• Esteemed higher than God
• Esteemed the same as God
• Placed as equal to God
• Replaces God
• Placed with God
• Placed as God
• Worshipped besides God or with God
• Served besides God or with God
• Honored besides God or with God

                           



Back in Biblical times, people were actually worshiping golden calves and statues instead of God. In the 21st century, we often let social media, shopping, sports, relationships, friendships, power, popularity, success, careers, money, cars, and technology turn into idols. We become less focused on Christ and allow ourselves to become distracted by things that won't even matter in eternity. God is a jealous God and literally hates it when we give more attention to anyone or anything else than we do Him.

 Exodus 20:4-5 (NLT)

"You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods."

Did you catch that? God will not settle for second place in your heart. God is actually jealous for YOU. He wants to spend time with YOU. Why? Because He wants to have an intimate, relationship with YOU.  I mean after all God did create YOU. Doesn't a mother desire to spend time with her child? Why? Because she loves him/her, right? Well God is your Heavenly Father and loves you too. He actually gets upset when we don't acknowledge Him and let other things take the place that only He deserves to hold in our hearts. He knows that those things won't bring us the complete satisfaction that we are searching for. God should not have to compete with anyone or anything else in our life. We are commanded in Luke 4:8 "You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him." This is not an option but a command. He alone deserves our highest admiration, worship, and praise. He alone created this world and everything in it. He alone sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins on the cross. He alone is the one who allowed us to wake up this morning. We are called to love God with everything in us and we cannot possibly do that if we are allowing idols to reside in our hearts. Instead of worshiping God we have allowed these false gods to be the center of our admiration and devotion.






We read in 1 John 5:2,

"Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts (NLT)."

You have to be honest with yourself. Check your heart, check your motives, check your life. Get quiet before God and ask Him to reveal what idols you have allowed in your life. Trust me He is faithful and will show you and you have to be willing to let go of anything or anyone that is taking the place of God in your life. From eternity's perspective, it really isn't worth it!

Idolatry is a form of sin and separates us from God. We must confess of this sin and repent. The great news is that His grace is sufficient. He offers to forgive us. We read in, 1 John 1:9 "But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." What an awesome promise. Get on your knees. Humble yourself before God. Admit that you have forsaken your first love (God), ask Him to cleanse your heart, and give you the strength to keep it free from idols and stay focused on Him. Then be determined to make the necessary changes in your life. To implement discipline and exercise self-control. This is a continual process that involves renewing your mind with the Word of God, dying to self, and following Christ. You will fail and fall at times. Don't give up! Let's not use God's grace as an excuse to keep on sinning! You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to keep God as first priority in your life. It will all be worth it to be face to face with God, one day,  and hear Him say "Well done, my good and faithful servant."   

Something that God revealed to me was that many of us, myself included, cry out to God to use us for His glory but we can't even put down our phones long enough to even listen to what God may be trying to say. We watch TV for hours and then pray for 10 minutes and expect to grow spiritually. We are called to be good stewards of the gifts that God has bestowed upon us and one of those is time. How are you using the time that you have been blessed with? I don't know about you but I refuse to stand before God and have Him tell me that I spent more time on social media or seeking things of this world than I did actually seeking Him. We don't have time for that. Eternity is staring us in the face. God cannot draw nearer to you, if you are constantly consumed by this world or the things of this world. He wants to take us to new levels and give us further understanding of His Word, plans, etc. but he cannot do that if we are constantly allowing ourselves to be distracted and worshiping idols. Now I'm not saying that you have to spend 12 hours a day reading your Bible, in prayer, and meditation but we should be setting aside a period of time every day to get quiet before and acknowledge Him. To usher in His presence, to allow Him to give you direction and feed your soul. When I neglect to spend time with God I always notice that I get frustrated more easily, I feel empty, I start complaining, I feel lost, I become discontent and ungrateful. When I take the time to pour my heart out to God and acknowledge His presence I tend to be more joyful, loving, kind, stress-free, thankful, and I feel complete and whole!! This is not a mere coincidence but a testament to just how powerful God and His Word are. He will literally transform your entire life if you let Him!!!


I pray that this helped you in some way, shape, or form. Remember God loves you dearly and is jealous for your attention!! Keep Him first above all else!!!


Have a wonderful day,

Cierra :)