Idolatry
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal. 6:19-21). Idolatry is listed with the most heinous atrocities committed against the Heavenly Father. Those who practice it are barred from Heaven. Therefore, the sin of idolatry must not be taken lightly.
What is idolatry? Webster defines it as follows: (1) Worship of a made image as a god, and (2) Excessive love or veneration for anything. Some of the world's largest religious organizations still pay reverence to "made images," but most of the idolaters who will read this article, are such, because of "excessive love and veneration for the things of this life." Adam Clarke's comment on I John 5:21 is worthy of consideration on this subject. He wrote, "That is a man's idol or god from which he seeks his happiness; no matter whether it be Jupiter, Juno, Apollo, Minerva, or Diana; or pleasure, wealth, fame, a fine house, superb furniture, splendid equipage, medals, curiosities, books, titles, human friendships, or any earthly or heavenly thing, God, the supreme good, only excepted. That is a man's idol which prevents him from seeking and finding his ALL in God." It seems to me that his last sentence really summarizes the whole matter. "That is a man's idol which prevents him from seeking and finding his ALL in God."
This sin is so wide spread in nature that time and space will not permit a discussion of each specific idol and every phase of idolatry. So, in a general way, I wish to call your attention to what seems to me as the most far reaching forms of idolatry in our day. They are, MATERIALISM and PLEASURE. Materialism is defined as follows: "The doctrine that consideration of material well-being, especially of the individual himself, should rule in the determination of conduct and the tendency to give undue importance to material interest" Man's mad quest for material goods has molded him after the fashion of this world. In speaking of idols and idol worshippers the Psalmist said, "They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them." (Ps. 135:18) While Christ pleads, "set your affections on things above," presumptuous men are crying, "let us build bigger barns." This same attitude has had it's effect upon the church of our Lord. Brethren by the score are embracing the "Social gospel." The end of which is chiefly to make this world a better place in which to live. Hence, churches feel justified in building places for recreation, fun and personal enjoyment. I am not opposed to making social improvements. I am fully aware that Christian living seasons the earth with goodness. However, it is not the mission of a child of God to make a heaven out of this earth, but rather prepare for the heaven of eternity. The god of materialism reigns supreme over the lives of an ignorant majority.
The second form of idolatry to be discussed is pleasure. Our country is pleasure crazy. We seek to entertain or to be entertained. We are filled with the "athletic spirit" rather than the "Holy Spirit." Without a question, recreation, pleasure and entertainment to a reasonable degree have their rightful place, but that rightful place is not first place in our hearts. In I Tim. 4:8-9 Paul wrote, "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation." If your interest is in this life only, then the profit of bodily exercise will suffice for a while. If, however, your concern is chiefly in that which is to come, the temporal things amount to very little. Godliness is profitable unto all things both now and later.
I doubt if the world has ever been more given to idolatry, both by the "worship of images" and "excessive love for material things" than it is in this age. God help us to heed the admonishment of I John 5:12: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."