10 Signs That...
There's an interesting characteristic about water,
That to the naked human eye,
Most water can look drinkable,
Whether it is crystal clear,
Or whether it's infested with invisible bacteria,
It can both look "clean" and "clear" to the naked eye.
It's only when you take a water sample and test it,
That you can see what it really contains.
So what is a test for our spiritual life?
How can we test the health of our relationship with God?
The 1st of the 10 commandments,
"You shall have no other gods before me."
That sounds like a no brainer, right?
We don't have idols of pagan gods hanging around,
We don't worship or sacrifice to other gods,
So we should be good on that commandment, right?
Just as a pagan gods were elevated by man,
Modern day gods are ANYTHING that we elevate above God.
What does that look like in today's world?
And more importantly,
What is the REALLY problem with doing that?
What is the REAL heart of the issue?
The bottom line is,
It separates you from God.
The greater consequence of separation from God is death,
And God wants His children to LIVE and not die,
So it breaks His heart to see you step towards death,
His commandment is a LOVING guardrail,
It's a LOVE buffer,
To lead us to LIFE.
Here are 10 common idols ("other gods") of today,
So many angels of light disguised by Satan,
To draw us away from God,
All in the name of fun, excitement and success,
But it all slowly drifts us away,
From the source of life,
Bit by bit,
Moment by moment,
Death by a thousand papercuts,
Mankind BEWARE.
1) TV shows - Netflix / TV / Youtube / streaming sites
- If you think more about watching the next episode and don't get alone time with God, then your priority is TV over God, therefore it is an idol and it breaks God's heart to see you zombied out on entertainment over Him.
2) Food
- If you spend a lot of time thinking about food, the next hot spot restaurant or recipe but neglect God time, then food is a higher priority in your life than God, therefore an idol. God's heart breaks that something He made for you to enjoy is replacing Him.
3) Pets
- If your pets get more love and attention than God, be careful that you're not admiring the creation more than the creator, especially if you're not getting alone time with God daily, that's a red flag that your pet may be an idol. God loves that you love His creatures, but He wants Your love too.
4) Work
- If you will check your email and text messages for work first thing in the morning and not miss an important business meeting but not make or keep your appointment for God time, then your business may be an idol. God is heartbroken that the gift He has given you to do business is being used to distract you from Him.
5) Social Media - Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, # of Views, Likes, Comments
- If you spend hours scrolling through your phone but don't have any alone time with God, then it is an idol. It's the perfect distraction by design and is stealing the hearts of this and future generations. Please BEWARE. How do you think God feels when we spend hours and every free moment on the phone but don't take much time for Him? What does that say about our relationship with Him?
6) Children / Spouse
- If you take care of your children or spouse and fill their needs but neglect your alone time with God, then your family and children can be your idol. You are part of God's family so don't forget about spending time with Him too. God never intended your family to replace your alone time and personal time with Him. In fact, you will be a better parent and spouse the better your relationship is with God. He craves quiet, intimate time with you. Don't forget the best family member you got!
7) Gym / Body building /Physical Appearance
- If you diligently go to the gym and watch your diet so you have the physical appearance that you want, but neglect to spend alone time with God, then God is not a priority over going to the gym or looking good and that may be an idol. God's heart is hurting from anyone who looks at themselves more than they look at Him.
8) Stocks / Crypto
- If you enjoy constantly checking your stocks or crypto but neglect having any alone time with God and lack interest in diving into His word, then your heart may be misaligned and it may be an idol. God's heart is full of sadness when we are more interested in building our stock/crypto account more than His kingdom.
9) Shopping / Fashion
- If you love looking at different shops and buying things to wear and coming up with creative fashion combinations but don't have alone time with God, then your heart loves fashion more than God and it may be an idol. God's Spirit is grieved by the level of interest in ourself over Him.
10) Traveling / Vacations / House / Cars / Investments
- If you love to plan your next vacation, travel, home purchase or investment but don't spend any alone time with God, then it may be an idol. God's heart weeps to see your attention attracted to the world over what He has planned for you which is so much greater than you can imagine.
The truth is,
We are natural sinners,
Our NATURAL inclination is to turn away from God,
It is much easier to eat junk food than healthy food,
It's the same thing spiritually.
Apostle Paul experienced the same thing which is why he cries out
"Wretched man that I am!"
He was so frustrated because his flesh wants to do things God DOESN'T want while his spirit wants to DO what God desires. It's a constant battle.
"For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members."
We live in a idolatrous lifestyle,
The battle is REAL against our flesh,
Don't underestimate it,
And just look around...
Most Christians ain't winning this battle X_X
We must wake up to the fact that Satan has inundated us with modern day idols,
We have allowed them to replace God in a dozen different ways.
Holy Spirit is standing outside in the cold of our hearts,
While social media, Netflix, food, and the gym have a front seat.
The single KEY factor you can focus on is this...
How is your ALONE, QUIET God time?
If it doesn't exist or barely exists while the other categories have your time,
Then BEWARE of idols (aka obsessions & addictions),
Ask Holy Spirit for help,
This is a serious issue,
Your life,
Your children's life,
The country is at stake.
"Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for my idolatry,
Forgive me for my blindness,
Forgive me for my stubbornness,
I are so weak,
I stumble,
I stray,
I disobey,
Change my heart,
To LOVE You,
To CRAVE You,
To HUNGER for You,
More than food, TV, social media, fashion, success, vacations and our physical appearance.
Change my taste buds from the inside out,
In Jesus name, Amen."
"I will sprinkle CLEAN water on you, and you shall be clean; I will CLEANSE you from all your filthiness and from all your IDOL."
Cheers to seeking Holy Spirit to clean out the idols in our life. Keep asking for help. That is the ONLY way. We cannot do it on our own.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
