Idolatry Is More Than You Think

pexels- Tara Winstead

Before I became a Christian, I had no idea what idolatry was.

Funny enough, I actually confused it with adultery.

When my mom gave me her Bible, and I began reading it, I started noticing how often the word idolatry would pop up. At the time, I was also watching many Christian YouTube videos, and I noticed how creators would bring it up as well.

Obviously, something about it was important.

Originally, I thought I didn’t struggle with it. I wasn’t hanging onto a celebrity’s every word or following other Gods. However, as I continued to learn about it, I realized I had been idolizing people.

It wasn’t in the normal sense where I was obsessed with a celebrity or a character; rather, it was the obsession with how other people thought of me. I continuously worried, and still worry about how other people perceived me.

Was I nice enough?

Pretty enough?

Outgoing enough?

Confident enough?

The list goes on.

I am a huge people pleaser, and that in itself is a form of idolatry. I basically made it a God. I would do a lot to get people to like me, and I get extremely sensitive when I find out that someone has a poor opinion of me.

Rather than focusing on Jesus, I get swept up in how others will praise or belittle me.

But the thing is, people are fickle. People’s opinions shift depending on their mood, how much food they eat, what stage of life they’re in, etc.

I cannot base my self-worth on how the human brain works. I must see myself through the eyes of Jesus.

Jesus never changes.

Jesus loves.

Jesus reveals light in the darkest pits. It’s harder to follow Jesus than it looks. We are surrounded by a diverse number of people in our everyday lives. Sometimes we forget about Jesus and get caught in our day-to-day relations.

This happens to the best of us.

While people’s opinions can really make a difference in our lives, it’s important not to idolize them or rank them above our God. The Lord is all-powerful, and that is why we should look to Him. People change their minds about their love for others, but He never does. Nobody sacrificed themselves quite like Jesus. He literally died for us. I doubt you can say that about most other people.

That is why “I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Additionally, you can make items an idol in your life. Food, work, clothing, and money are prime examples. Don’t get me wrong, I am a foodie and fashion person at heart, but there is a difference between enjoying God’s blessings and obsessing over them.

Your phone is also an example of what could be an idol. I often reach for my phone in times of trouble because it helps me get my mind off stress. But I know that it ends up creating more anxiety due to my untouched problems sitting in the back of my head.

Yes, scrolling on the phone can feel relaxing in some ways, but once you get off it, you have to eventually deal with your problems. I am actively struggling with this kind of idolatry and often push Jesus to the back of my mind while I take out my phone. I haven’t done much about it, but writing this is showing me how much of a problem it actually is.

As I mentioned in a previous article, I have not been taking Jesus seriously in the past couple of months. I have been struggling with a lot of spiritual warfare, and idolatry is a huge part of it. I pray that each and every one of us, including myself, has the strength blessed by God to overcome our idols.

That we can have the spiritual sense to realize what we idolize is wrong, and that our Lord and Savior is much more fulfilling than any item or person, or false God could ever be. I pray that we open our hearts to Jesus, and that we may never forget His sacrifice for each and every one of us. He never forgets us; let us remember that. Jesus, pour your love onto us! Holy Spirit, come to overflow!

Thank you for reading!

This article serves as a reminder that you can make anything become a God in your life. It’s important to realize that this is dangerous. Jesus is the one true God. He is the way, the truth, the life. He is love. He is better than anything you could imagine. Keep that in mind, my lovely friends :)

© Sienna King