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Past Ponderings

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

PONDERING... What is idolatry?

This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.
What is idolatry?
Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator for our hope and happiness, significance and security.
  • Romans 1:21, 25 ESV - "21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ... 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen."
trusting in created things rather than the Creator
To trust something for (fill in the blank) is to rely on it for provision. If I trust in coffee for my "morning pick me up", I am assuming that coffee will provide me the energy I need. Now, we talk like this a lot. In the same way, we say things like: I love pizza, and I love my wife. Obviously, there is a difference between actual meaning and intended meaning. Hopefully, those who claim to trust in coffee do not actually attribute all energy and strength to their reliance on the liquid bean. If they did...that would be idolatry.

See, idolatry is truly relying on anything except what or who should be relied on. And if we are fully relying on something, giving it credit and praise, we are worshiping it. Thus, idolatry is worshiping anything that is not God.

When this is broken down, it's easy to see the flaw. God is the creator of all things. Why would we trust in something He made instead of Him? Unfortunately, we all have idols. 

for our hope
"1. A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety." (Webster 1828)

We look forward to many things in life. Sometimes they happen. Sometimes they don't. I know I am guilty of hoping in the wrong things. That's idolatry. Our hope should be in God. He alone is sure. He alone holds the future. He alone knows what is best.

and happiness,
"The agreeable sensations which spring from the enjoyment of good; that state of a being in which his desires are gratified, by the enjoyment of pleasure without pain; felicity; but happiness usually expresses less than felicity, and felicity less than bliss." (Webster 1828)

Oh, how we search for happiness! This is convicting to me. Our world is entertainment crazed. We bounce from temporary pleasure to temporary pleasure. God is the source of true happiness... Joy. Why do we waste our time with idolatry?

significance
In this context, this refers to meaning. Idolatry is finding our meaning in anything except God Himself. This is SO relevant to our society today. We are constantly searching for meaning. We try and find it in family, friends, jobs, conquests...etc. However, as I have stated in the past, all of these are fickle and cannot carry the weight of our worth. (See my post on the Meaning of Life). Our true identity is found in Christ alone.

and security.
"1. Protection; effectual defense or saftey from danger of any kind; as a chain of forts erected for the security of the frontiers." (Webster 1828)

Who can really keep you safe from the evil of this world except God?

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