Idols
Three years ago I visited what was once, the ancient city of Ephesus.
Along the path down into the city, amongst the long grass and the red poppies, were the beautiful ruins. Ruins which whispered of another world, and a former glory. Of a city preeminent and prized in its day.
And on that path down into the city, I came across the fragments of the statue above. She is Nike, in Greek mythology, the goddess of victory.
Her image there in the rubble, was a reminder to me of the world at Ephesus that the Apostle Paul was called to by God. “Purposed in the Spirit” Acts 19:21 to teach and to “persuade” many people “that gods that are made with human hands are not really gods at all” Acts 19:26.
To “flee from idolatry” 1 Cor.10:14.
As I think about that today, I’m reminded that if Paul were to enter our world, our personal world of thoughts and affections, his message to us would be the same.
“My dearly beloved, shun (keep clear away from, avoid by flight if need be) any sort of idolatry (of loving or venerating anything more than God)” 1 Cor.10:14 (Amp).
Theirs were the idols of the blacksmith, with his chisel and his hammers and the strength of his arms Isa.44:12. Ours are likely far more subtle. The idols of our hearts.
Those things in our hearts that captivate us, that comfort us, that compel us more than God Himself.
It may be those things that we prioritise with our time or turn to first in our need, but I wonder whether the idols of our hearts can be even more hidden, or more insidious still? Certain beliefs or attitudes we hold onto perhaps.
I deserve better.
God has failed me.
I will act right, if they act right first.
Beliefs or attitudes that compromise our peace with God, and get in the way of loving others in the way that Christ has commanded us (John 15:12). “Arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God” 2 Cor.10:5 (Amp).
If there is something that captures our attention and affection and allegiance more than Christ today, may our God of grace reveal this, and give us grace to bow the knee to Him alone (Rom.14:11).
Let’s return to God with our whole hearts.
“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment” Mark 12:30.
Hey Birgit, brilliant post.
It reminds me of the quote Mark Driscoll gave…
“A good thing can become a bad thing when it becomes a god thing”
I find that most idols can be good things that we try to make God to us. Such as marriage, children, ministry etc.
Thanks for the reminder.
x Elena x
Hi Elena :) This is such a great quote from Mark Driscoll, thank you, and such a great reminder to guard our hearts (Prov.4:23) and be self-controlled (1 Pet.5:8) in all things so that even the good things God blesses us with, don’t end up taking His throne in our hearts.
It’s so good to hear your thoughts, thank you :) and lots of blessings to you and Obed.
Hi Birgit, what struck me about this is the subtlety of some idols in our lives. As a child I was forced at school to memorise many well-known scriptures, including 2 Cor 10:5 and I’m thankful for the foundation it laid, but I’m so surprised how new these scriptures become if I really pay attention. For example, 2 Cor 10:5 actually says that our thoughts and arguments and reasoning are exalting themselves against the full knowledge of God. It really struck me that when I allow disbelief and even thoughts of fear or worry and entertain those thoughts, I am giving them higher authority over my life- idolatry. And that is why the Bible commands us to take these thought captive and bring them to obedience in Jesus. This is good, thank you Birgit :)
I really know what you mean, Rain, I have been struck by this exact thing. The way that if we give greater influence or deference to our thoughts and emotions in a situation than to the Word of God, then we are seemingly making an idol out of these by “venerating [these] more than God” (1 Cor.10:14 – Amplified). Like you, I’ve found 2 Cor.10:5 so helpful as it relates to this, bringing these thoughts captive in Christ. Unbelief has been a big one for me – thoughts about a situation that have seemed reasonable, but actually, have been contrary to faith in God’s Word. I’m thankful for God’s grace. The other verse I love relating to this, is the part in Mark 12:30 – “you shall love the LORD your God … with all your mind” – that we would give Him and His Word, rightful Lordship.
It’s so great the way you memorised Scriptures at school, wow! I’m not sure how you felt about it at the time, but in your relationship with God now, it’s so great that His Word is already stored up in your heart for the Holy Spirit to speak to you through in different situations :) I so appreciate your thoughts here, thank you Rain :)
THANKS FOR THIS BIRGIT. TIMELY REMINDER FOR ME AS I GRAPPLE WITH THE ISSUES OF LIFE. 3 TIMES I HAVE HEARD IN ONE FORM OR THE OTHER THIS WEEK ABOUT VICTORY. GOD HAS SPOEK TO ME IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE THROUGH THIS. GOD BLESS
What a great reminder that Christ is to be supreme in our hearts and minds. We’re doing a series on Colossians at our church and talked about the supremacy of Christ last week. It is so easy for us to get caught up though in our circumstances, relationships, materialistic things. It is a constant process to make sure God is first but like His Word says; seek Him first and then all shall be added unto us.
Hope you are well B!
XO
I don’t know that I have ever seen the image of Nike. I am pretty confident that I did not know that Nike was female, either. Interesting.
Once again, your photography is captivating.
Thank you, Birg. God is beginning to lift the veil from my eyes and allowing me to see the things I’ve trusted in more than Him. It’s not pretty. But it is good to know He is with me. And since He wants me to be His with all my heart, soul, and mind, He will do whatever it takes to bring me closer and closer to Him. The stripping away is painful…excruciatingly so…but I have the assurance that this too shall pass and I will be stronger in Him.
I’m praying for you today. Hoping all is well. :)
Makes me think about the story of the prophets of Ba’al and how their “gods” where put to shame. Nike laying in the grass, how victorious, n’est pas?
Thanks so much to each of you for your thoughts here, and so sorry for the length in time it has taken to reply …
Hi Laura, I love the way God does this! The way He often seems to use different friends, conversations, books, experiences to communicate and reinforce something He is teaching us. I really relate. And what an encouraging message He has been revealing to you recently, about victory in Him!
Praying for you friend, God bless ox
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Hi G, it’s so lovely to see you, you’re often in my thoughts and I hope all is going well :) Your thoughts here were really encouraging to me – reminding me again of consistently, day by day, coming back to the place of Christ as supreme. As you say, it’s so easy for other things to creep in at times and undermine this. Such a good reminder to keep coming back to this focus in our hearts and minds. Thank you! Love B xo
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Hi @ngie :) I hadn’t seen an image of Nike either before this stone in the rubble. Being in that setting really brought to life the context Paul ministered in, and the words of Scripture.
It’s been ages since we caught up and I’m so excited about all that’s happening in your life at the moment – I hope to email soon! Love to you ox
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Hi Michelle, so lovely to see you, and you too have very much been in my thoughts. Thank you so much for your prayers, it has been a very busy time lately. I hope you are well too friend.
I very much relate to what you share here about God revealing the things in our lives we cling to or trust in more than Him. As you say, it is not an easy process at all as we begin relinquishing these, and growing an even deeper trust in Him. I’m thankful for His kindness in this though, because as you say, it strengthens us, and ultimately brings us into greater freedom.
Thinking of you. Love B xo
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Such a good analogy Hope! I read a verse this week which really relates – “I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me” Isaiah 45:5.
Love and blessings to you ox
The idols can also be of Jesus, Mary – and even God himself rather than something other than Him.
I am even wondering about my expensive wall tapestry – it is of the famous picture when the 3 magi visit Jesus at his birth… Also, I have that picture, which shows Jesus knocking at the door waiting for us to open it (where the door has no handle on the outside)… Are these not idols (and where we not told not to make pictures of Him)??
I often think about these things when I visit or look at churches with their stained glass windows and statues (especially prominent in Catholic churches, I’d say).
What are your thoughts on these things Brigit?
Love Freya xxx
Hi Freya, thanks so much for your thoughts here – it’s a very good point you make that even ‘good’ things, even pictures or icons related to our faith, could become idols if our heart were to turn to these, rather than in worship of God Himself.
Thank you for your question about my thoughts on things such as graven images – I still feel as if I have a lot to learn in this area. You are exactly right that God prohibits the creation of carved images/idols, and the worship of these in Dueteronomy 5:8-9. From the commentaries and studies I’ve read, the idea seems to be that the two are connected – creating the idol and bowing down and worshipping it, which God is prohibiting. As I say, I still have lots to learn, but this view helps me to understand other passages in the Bible like Exodus 25:18, where God instructs Moses to make sculptures of cherubim for the ark for example – that it’s the worship of such things that would be the problem. My two cents worth anyway :)
Lots of blessings to you ox