Idols Are Stupid
This is not a new thought for me. Ever since I was old enough to study the Old Testament and the history of Israel, their worship of other gods was just stupid to me. They really put all their jewelry together, melted it into the shape of a calf and the prayed to the stupid calf. That is just downright dumb. They also took a tree and hired a craftsman to carve some shape or image and the bowed down to it. Again, that is really dumb.
Jeremiah called his own people out regarding this stupid behavior. He even uses the “s” word – “stupid”. Check this out….
5 Their gods are like
helpless scarecrows in a cucumber field!
They cannot speak,
and they need to be carried because they cannot walk.
Do not be afraid of such gods,
for they can neither harm you nor do you any good.”
6 Lord, there is no one like you!
For you are great, and your name is full of power.
7 Who would not fear you, O King of nations?
That title belongs to you alone!
Among all the wise people of the earth
and in all the kingdoms of the world,
there is no one like you.
8 People who worship idols are stupid and foolish.
The things they worship are made of wood!
16 But the God of Israelis no idol!
He is the Creator of everything that exists,
including Israel, his own special possession.
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name! (Jeremiah 10:5-8,16 NLT)
I don’t have a single carved image in my house that I bow down to. I have been following the Lord since I was in 3rdgrade. My faith really became my own, my freshman year of college. I recently was introduced to a concept of idols that smacked me in the face.
Every Christ follower battles Idols of the heart. These idols are rooted in pride and they are just as damaging and destructive as the stupid carved idols that the people of Israel followed.
My family has been an idol of mine. I want people to notice what a beautiful family I have. They are smart, talented and amazing. I had something to do with that. (idol talk) The Lord has blessed me with a beautiful family. He loves each of them way more than I could. I want them to grow in His Word, His Will and His Way. I have surrendered my family to the Lord.
Success has also been an idol of mine. I want to be known as a successful REALTOR/businessman. I want people to see how smart and capable I am of serving their real estate needs. (idol talk) The Lord has blessed me with the privilege of being a trusted real estate advisor to many people over the last 15 years. I am humbled that I get to be the hands and feet of Jesus is leading people through what can be a stressful time in their lives. The Lord is the Author of Peace and ALL Wisdom. He has taken my business and my influence into a whole new space. I’m so thankful.
I need to regularly check my heart for idols as I’ve only listed two of them. There are many more in my heart that have to be consistently surrendered to Him. I am dependent upon the Lord for all I am and all I have. I don’t want to be stupid and worship any idols. I want to be a consistent follower of The Lord with a heart that is consistently surrendered to Him.
Pressing On!
Dwayne