By Carl Kirk
Exodus 20: 3-5a - “You must not have any other god but me. 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.” (NLT)
In the book of Exodus, the children of Israel were surrounded by people who were rampant in worship of idols. However, God did not and would not excuse any action that attempted to recognize and worship other Gods.
In Leviticus 20: 23, God reminded His people, “And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I detested them.” In Ezekiel 11:12 we are reminded, “And you shall know that I am the Lord. For you have not walked in my statutes, nor obeyed my rules, but have acted according to the rules of the nations that are around you.”
In 2021, how might this influence our thinking about the Second Commandment? In contemplating the actions of the children of Israel, it seems their idea was, “if everyone is doing something, it must be correct.” Friends, in today’s society, constantly following the ways of the world may subtly entangle us with idol worship. How so? Consider how we are influenced or controlled by day-to-day activities, money, shopping, sports, television and media, vehicles, work, etc.
COVID has affected our lives in so many ways. However, with God’s help, the virus will pass. When it does, will we find ourselves mowing the lawn or washing the car on Sunday in place of going to Worship? Will we usurp the leadership of the Holy Spirit in our life? Good and desirable things can become an idol if we are not on guard.
Perhaps all of us can benefit individually as we pray this type of prayer: Psalms 139, 23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” (NKJV) If the Holy Spirit reveals sin, remember 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
In 2021, let us give the Holy Spirit complete control of our lives. With His power and guidance, let’s eradicate anything that has become an idol in life.
NOTE: Acknowledgment is given to the use of some references on the Internet.
If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 14 & Psalm 142.