They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods… (2 Kings 17:33 NKJV)
This really stood out to me as I read God’s Word earlier today. Honestly, I couldn’t help but relate to it.
That verse is me. I am the Israelites. I serve many masters. I fear my idols more than I fear You.
To be honest, I’ve struggled with idolatry for years. I want to believe that I simply have chronic idolatry, but I know that’s just a lie from Satan. Whether I want to admit it or not, idolatry doesn’t just “happen” to me; it’s a choice. I choose to worship idols. I choose not to let them go. I choose to serve them when I should serve Christ.
Can you Relate?
- You know that you shouldn’t visit those porn sites. You realize that they’re dangerous and sinful. But porn lets you escape from the real world.
- You know that you shouldn’t be wearing those shorty shorts around campus. You understand that they’re immodest and that you’re leading guys to lust. But you just want a little attention.
- You know that you shouldn’t be sleeping in on Sunday mornings. You recognize the importance of hearing God’s Word, worshipping Him, and fellowshipping with other believers. But you just need one day during the week to sleep.
- You know that you shouldn’t spend so much time on social media. You realize that you basically spend all your free time posting pictures and finding followers. But you just want to boost your self-esteem.
- You know you shouldn’t be hanging around with your teammates so often. You recognize that they’re a bad influence on you. But you just enjoy having so many friends.
These are just a few examples of idolatry. An idol is anything that we prioritize over God. If you’re pursuing your desires—whether it’s your desire to escape from the real world, get guys’ attention, sleep in, boost your self-esteem or have more friends—instead of pursuing Christ, you’re worshipping an idol.
The Way Out of Idolatry
I know how much you want to destroy your idols, and I know how much you want to keep them. I know how impossible it feels not to worship them. We may set goals, have high ambitions, and desire to change. But we struggle to make any real progress in crushing our idols. How do we escape idolatry?
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (1 Corinthians 10:13-14 ESV)
No matter how impossible it feels, it is possible to stop worshipping our idols because we can always say no. The only way out of idolatry is taking the way of escape that God provides.
Escaping to Freedom
We can’t obey God and our idols (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13). However, idolatry isn’t a dead-end. Just like worshipping idols is a choice, worshiping God is, too.
Here’s the choice: You don’t have to go to that porn site. You don’t have to wear those shorty shorts. You don’t have to sleep in on Sundays. You don’t have to spend so much time on social media. You don’t have to frequently hang out with non-Christians.
Here’s the way of escape: You can ask for an accountability partner. You can buy cute new shorts. You can set your alarm to go off before church starts. You can delete your social media accounts. You can find encouraging Christian friends.
These ideas may sound difficult to implement, but they lead to freedom. Idolatry can easily make us feel defeated, but we don’t have to feel that way. Because God is faithful, He’ll provide a way of escape (v. 13). Will you take it?
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