Surprisingly, idolatry has always plagued the people of God.  Even before they became a great nation, while they were just beginning their trip toward the land of promise, the Israelites turned from God to worship a golden calf (Exodus 32:1-4).  A shocking development after God had just delivered them from the bondage of Egypt.  Just as surprising, maybe even more so, was Solomon allowing his wives to turn him to idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8).  Not even all the wisdom in the world stopped Solomon from making this poor decision.

I could give more examples of God’s people committing idolatry, but what is more important is that we realize that we are susceptible to this sin as well.  No, we do not build altars or bow down to golden calves, but when we allow things in our lives to become more important to us than God, that is a form of idolatry.  Material things are probably the top offenders.  This is why Paul referred to covetousness as idolatry (Colossians 3:5).  I like what Nelson’s Bible Dictionary says about idolatry.

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
“In the New Testament period the term “idolatry” began to be used as an intellectual concept. Idolatry became not bowing down before a statue but the replacement of God in the mind of the worshiper. Col 3:5 points in this direction: “Put to death . . . covetousness, which is idolatry.” (See also Eph 5:5.) At this point the modern believer must understand the vicious nature of idolatry. While we may not make or bow down to a statue, we must be constantly on guard that we let nothing come between us and God. As soon as anything does, that thing is an idol.           

In addition to material objects such as houses, land, and cars, idols can be popular heroes or those whom we love. Objects of worship can even include things like fame, reputation, hobbies, pride, and deeds done in the name of the Lord. Idolatry is a dangerous and deceitful sin. No wonder prophets preached against it so often and so strongly.”

Have any of these things become an idol in your life?  Who or what do you put before God?  We are probably all guilty of this at times.  What we do not want to do is be guilty of this continuously.  If we are, that means that we have relegated God to the backseat of our lives and replaced Him as our Master.  Do you remember what Jesus said?

Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
²⁴“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Jesus is not referring to something difficult to do; He is talking about something absolutely impossible.  The KJV uses the word mammon instead of money, which is more accurate because Jesus is talking about, not just money, but the things that money can buy.  We have to be extremely careful that we do not allow things in our lives, things that are innocent enough themselves, to in any way replace God.

Make a determined effort to put God before everything in your lives, not only the things that you possess but the people that you love.  God must come before your spouse, children, friends, and anyone else in your life.  To do otherwise is to be guilty of idolatry.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.