Praise & Pray

Many of us do not see ourselves as idolaters, but the word of God testifies against some of us. So, let us look at Jeremiah 32:34 - They set up their vile images in the house that bears my Name and defiled it.

With those few words, the Lord explained why He was upset with the ancient people of Judea. They'd turned to other gods. Even within the very Temple, where He was to dwell. The building created so that He could be in the midst of those He loved. Right in the most holy place was the presence of false gods.

We might think this is an Old Testament issue that doesn't apply to us modern Christians, but that is not the case. In fact, many self-proclaimed believers are idolaters. While they may not bow and burn incense to the Canaanite deity, Molek, they serve its current equivalent and the other false gods of this dispensation.

Our jobs, finances, spouses, and certain desires sit on a pedestal, taking the place God should have in our lives. In that sense, we are no different from the people of ancient Jerusalem who burned incense and erected statues to false gods. When we wake, the first thing on our minds is social media, work emails, the news, our kids, or something else. In the 24 hours that comprise a day, we don't prioritize the God who made us and gave us all we have. We unfortunately don't even consider what concerns the Lord.

A lot of us say we go to church, but can we be honest? For many, church-going is simply a social event. A place to see and be seen, so we check off another box from the weekly calendar. A place to find a potential spouse. And rather than seek out the undiluted word of God as dispersed by His Spirit, we prefer to listen to preachers who teach what our itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). It's easier to satisfy our flesh and cosplay Christian than it is to obey Christ's teachings and thus be a Christian.

Because God is good and loves us, He finds ways to get His light to us. A random post about faith that we scroll past while searching for entertainment, for instance. Alas, for some, God's truth doesn't fall into 'good soil,' and roots don't develop in us. We then fail to apply God's word in our lives. Instead, we apply the world's wisdom, wondering why so much is going wrong.

Such behavior stems from forgetting that we are the Temple God chose to dwell within. We are His house here on earth. We don't remember that Jesus died so we could each become a holy residence for the Lord. And when we ignore this fact and erect altars in our hearts to other gods, we effectively reject the sacrifice Jesus made to gain this honor for us.

Our temples must be swept clean of everything that would drive God's presence away. He and He alone must reside within us. Nothing can or should even stand beside Him. This is why the Philistines kept finding their statue of Dagon crushed when they tried to keep it where the Ark of God's Covenant was. And no idol should take His place in your life the way Molek controlled those who bowed to it, demanding their children as sacrifice in the fire (Leviticus 18:21, 2 Kings 3:27).

When everything and everyone else gets our attention and our best efforts, instead of God, we are idolaters. We aren't obeying God, and on some level, we don't care to. In that case, as He isn't someone we revere and take seriously, He is not our God. The things and people we dedicate our time, hearts, minds, and money to have become our gods in this age. And they defile the very Temple that is supposed to be God's house on earth. Lord, have mercy upon us all.

But God is merciful. He loves everyone He created and does not want them to suffer the fate of idolaters. When we return to Him in repentance and seek Him, He will be found (Proverbs 8:17). And all who call on His name will be saved (Joel 2:32). If anything mentioned above applies to you in some way, please know that there is grace available to turn things around. Tell the Lord you want to be closer and live a life that pleases Him. Ask Him for help. He is the only one who is equipped to do so (Hebrews 13:6).

PS: Please look below, there are additional notices about today's gathering. God bless you!

Give your life to Christ with the Altar Call below and learn more about today's topic from the following previous P&P messages:

1. Will He Know You?

2. Appreciate Jesus

3. Give Your Life To Christ

4. Do You Love Jesus?

5. Spirit-Filled But Worldly?

6. Stop Living Like A Pagan

7. What Would God See When He Looks At Your Heart?

8. The Lie That Heaven Is Beyond Reach

9. Are You Truly A Christian?

10. Do You Look Like Him?

11. Stop Living Like A Pagan

12. Unserious Christians

13. Be About The Father's Business

14. Are You Trustworthy?

15. Are You Truly A Christian?

16. Do You Belong To Christ?

17. Topic: Dear Christians

18. Topic: Jezebel, witchcraft, occult, false gods, idols, idolatry