The majority of the world worships idols—the real kind, made of wood, stone and even plastic.
While it is also helpful to talk about the “idols” of materialism, power, relationships, and whatever replaces God and takes first place in our minds and hearts, we need to talk less about this and more about the other kind of idolatry.
An Opportunity Missed
So often when we in America preach on Bible passages that discuss idolatry we move way too quickly to application. It is common to hear a preacher describe the background of the text in just a few sentences and then move on to talk about the “idols” of our society and the those things that usurp God’s rightful place as the object of our worship and affections.
We talk as though worshippers of physical idols are from a bygone primitive era. Anyone who would actually worship a real idol must be ignorant or isolated from the modern world. But this is not the case.
To move right to this application usually misses the main point, the obvious point, of the text in order to find some spiritual principle that will be immediately personally applicable, or culturally appropriate for us. We fail to be faithful to the text when we spiritualize idolatry.
Idolatry, real idolatry, has a powerful grip on over 3 billion people in the world today. They live in remote areas and in urban centers; they are poor and rich, and some are even highly educated. Idolatry, with all its relics and rituals, is the fabric of many societies, being the key to blessing and safety, and even the conduit for various immoralities.
An Opportunity Reclaimed
In our hasty application we miss an opportunity to talk about the greatest application of our Gospel mission from God in the world. These idolatry passages offer us an opportunity to understand our world better, to describe the religious nature of man, to feel the burden of the lostness of so many souls, and to burn with jealousy for God’s glory alone!
Instead of using the idolatry sections of Scripture to address ourselves and our own needs first, we could use them to open our eyes to the greatest need of the world! In fact, these passages viewed and preached in such a manner will become refreshingly new texts for us on world evangelization and mission!
While it is also helpful to talk about the “idols” of materialism, power, relationships, and whatever replaces God and takes first place in our minds and hearts, we need to talk less about this and more about the other kind of idolatry.
An Opportunity Missed
So often when we in America preach on Bible passages that discuss idolatry we move way too quickly to application. It is common to hear a preacher describe the background of the text in just a few sentences and then move on to talk about the “idols” of our society and the those things that usurp God’s rightful place as the object of our worship and affections.
We talk as though worshippers of physical idols are from a bygone primitive era. Anyone who would actually worship a real idol must be ignorant or isolated from the modern world. But this is not the case.
To move right to this application usually misses the main point, the obvious point, of the text in order to find some spiritual principle that will be immediately personally applicable, or culturally appropriate for us. We fail to be faithful to the text when we spiritualize idolatry.
Idolatry, real idolatry, has a powerful grip on over 3 billion people in the world today. They live in remote areas and in urban centers; they are poor and rich, and some are even highly educated. Idolatry, with all its relics and rituals, is the fabric of many societies, being the key to blessing and safety, and even the conduit for various immoralities.
An Opportunity Reclaimed
In our hasty application we miss an opportunity to talk about the greatest application of our Gospel mission from God in the world. These idolatry passages offer us an opportunity to understand our world better, to describe the religious nature of man, to feel the burden of the lostness of so many souls, and to burn with jealousy for God’s glory alone!
Acts 17:16–17 ESV “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.”And when we proclaim the Gospel, people will turn “to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)
Instead of using the idolatry sections of Scripture to address ourselves and our own needs first, we could use them to open our eyes to the greatest need of the world! In fact, these passages viewed and preached in such a manner will become refreshingly new texts for us on world evangelization and mission!
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