Got idols?

SCRIPTURE AMPLY WARNS US TO AVOID HAVING “IDOLS” OF ANY KIND. In the Bible, an idol is any physical object, image, statue, or abstract concept that receives the worship, devotion, trust, or ultimate dependence that belongs to God alone.

Some key definitions of what can be an “idol” (copied from a Google AI):

• Adored Person: A public figure, entertainer, athlete, or musician whom fans deeply respect, look up to, or idolize (such as a pop or sports idol).
• Religious Object: A statue, image, or material effigy carved from stone, wood, or metal that represents a deity. In many faith traditions, worshipping a physical object is seen as a false or sinful practice (often called a "false idol" or idolatry).
• Metaphorical Concept: Anything that commands an excessive, ultimate level of devotion, time, or affection—such as money, career success, or status—over higher personal or spiritual values.

The following are some examples of what can happen to people who take their eyes off God, and place allegiance to their own worldly desires:

Idolizing self: Scripture warns us to be careful about loving “self” too much, in places like Exodus 20:3-5; 2 Timothy 3:2-5; Philippians 2:3-4; Romans 13:9; and Luke 10:30-37, to mention a few.

(1)  We all know about Michael Jackson’s obsession with his appearance – so much so, that he had numerous cosmetic surgeries to alter his appearance. In my view, he was an adorable, gorgeous child who became a beautiful adult; yet, for some reason, he was never happy with himself. As a matter of fact, each procedure made him less attractive. Michael was only 50 years old when he, sadly, left this world on June 25, 2009.

(2)  I used to have a “best friend” back during my early Army days who was truly “in love” with herself. There was no doubt she was gorgeous, and she definitely used her looks to attract men and get them to do anything for her.

I used to get jealous of her whenever we went into discos, because every man wanted to dance with her, while I was usually left off to the side. (Now, looking back, I realize how senseless my jealousy was, and that I should have simply been happy to “be me,” because, when I found her on the Internet approximately 10 years ago, I discovered that her life – due to her own making - has not been the proverbial “bowl of cherries.”)

Anyway, my friend always loved to “tease” men just to dump them – and she dumped many. Once she even ruined the career of a military General who she claimed had raped her; and another man actually went to prison for supposedly raping her.

The Bible mentions “the sins of the father” and “generational impact” in places such as Exodus 20:5 and 34:7.  Deuteronomy 5:9, and Numbers 14:18 state that God visits "the iniquity of the fathers upon the children" up to the third and fourth generations; and Ezekiel 18:20, Deuteronomy 24:16, and Jeremiah 31:30 emphasize individual responsibility, as we “reap what we sow.”

When I first found my former friend, she told me she was raising her 5-year-old grandson while her then 28-year old daughter was fulfilling a 5-year prison sentence. Her daughter came to live with her since her release from prison; and, as far as I know, is still living there. While on the phone with her once, there was screaming and yelling going on in the background, and she related that her daughter was constantly doing drugs. I’ve never had a desire to have anymore contact because, clearly, there are some family curses going on…

ANOTHER PITFALL IS THE “LOVE OF MONEY” – which Scripture tells us is the “root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Money, a “necessary evil,” is a huge problem for many; and there are people who believe they never have enough. Here are three examples of people I’ve known personally who made money their idol:

(1)  I used to know a good and godly man who scrimped and scrounged and saved all of his life because his goal was to become a millionaire- in part, to impress his wayward, estranged children.  God took him just before he turned 68, approximately a year after finally reaching his goal – yet, he had never actually bothered to enjoy it; in part, because now since he had one million, he was scrimping and scrounging and saving to get to that second million.  One million was not enough (even though he tended to be a miser who didn’t like to spend money at all). It never occurred to him that money had become his idol.

(2)  I had a former boss back in the Nineties, who was addicted to gambling. In the end, he literally lost everything he owned and loved, including his wife and kids, because he refused to get help for his problem. He died, completely broke at age 66.

It all started when he won a million dollars in Las Vegas, with which he created a company that provided services and technical support heavily focused on the federal government and defense markets.  The company (of which he was president and CEO) was extremely successful, flourished and did well.

As a successful entrepreneur, this man won numerous awards to include Regional Small Businessman of the Year, an Inc. 500 Top Performer, and during its peak, his company was the fastest growing Hispanic Owned Business in the United States.

Unfortunately, he kept on gambling – even moved to Las Vegas, a city known primarily for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife! - and when he decided to retire, he sold his company for forty million dollars.  He was literally “set for the rest of his life; yet, he blew every cent of it! 

These are just a few examples of people I’ve known who took their eyes off of Elohim in order to feed their “idols.” It truly doesn’t have to end that way for us, because the Bible amply shows us how to live happy, meaningful, set-apart lives.

While none of us can know when our last day on earth is, we CAN choose to live a godly life. That doesn’t always mean our life will be perfect in every way (because we are, after all, in a fallen world where bad things happen); but with God, we have the ability to start thinking and behaving differently and thus, do things according to HIS Will.

BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU!

If you are reading this and realize you have any kind of addiction, whatever it might be, I would highly encourage you to read the entire Bible, from start to finish, letting each precious word “sink in,” as it can change your life!