Guard Yourselves From Idols

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Guard  Yourselves  From Idols

1 John 5:21  simply says,

Little children,  guard  yourselves  from idols.

We might nonchalantly  dismiss that verse  thinking  that we are not the kind  of person  to ever want  to bow down  to a silly statue  of any sort.     But,  the apostle John  is thinking  about much more  than a hunk  of wood  or metal.     People make “idols”  out of false doctrines  and man-made traditions.     Their  “idols”  might include riches,  clothes,  popularity,  porn,  power over others  —  anything  that they secretly hold  as more important  than God Almighty  and the truths  given us  in God’s word  in the Bible.

Anything that influences us  to not live  according to God’s given word  in the Bible  is being set up  as something more important  than God.     The whole book  of 1 John  is about staying away  from false teachings  and the things  of this world.     John repeatedly emphasizes  believing in  and totally trusting  in the truth  about Jesus  —  in every part  of our lives.

Accepting  the truths  about Jesus being God our Savior,  who takes away the sin  of the world  are what lead us  to learn  to love  as God has loved us  in Christ.     It’s that love  that strengthens us  and makes us willing  to  “guard yourselves  from idols.”     Love makes us get rid  of the falsehoods  in our lives  —  whether they be falsehoods of doctrine,  man-made tradition,  riches,  power,  popularity,  or any other worldly thing.

When Joshua led  the people  of Israel  into the Promised Land,  he knew  that some  of the people  had idols  of all sorts.     So,  he reminded them  of God’s patient leading  over all their years  and said  in Joshua 24:14-15,

Now,  therefore,  fear the LORD  and serve Him  in sincerity  and truth;  and put away  the gods  which your fathers served  beyond the River  and in Egypt,  and serve  the LORD.     If it is disagreeable  in your sight  to serve  the LORD,  choose  for yourselves today  whom you will serve:  whether the gods  which your fathers served  which were beyond the River,  or the gods  of the Amorites  in whose land  you are living;  but as for me  and my house,  we will serve the LORD.

As we serve God our Savior,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord Jesus,  thank You  for patiently leading us  to serve You  in truth.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

 

Pray for our country.

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… Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus …

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect, but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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