Idols in Our Lives
By Greg Grandchamp
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” - 1 John 2:16
SOMETHING TO PONDER
It is the very first commandment. “You shall have no other gods before me.” And when we hear this, it’s easy to imagine the verse points to other gods idolized by people throughout history and throughout the world. The Roman and Greek gods, for one example. But idols can take many forms. Yet, even if we are committed in our faith, it is quite easy to let idols sneak into our lives, and unless we are diligent, take God’s place as absolute first.
There are, of course, common things we think of – but there are also the sneaky ones. Those that perhaps sound perfectly normal. Financial security, success, comfort, our children and families, relationships, our spiritual leaders, politics, and even patriotism, our activities and hobbies, our image, and concern over what others will think – just to name a few. By themselves, most of these are good, at least, they are not bad. But when they begin to creep up our ladder of importance, they indeed can become idols.
It is very easy to let the things of the world creep into our lives until they become idols. Money is not evil – until it dominates our desires. Success is fine – until we become obsessed with achieving it. There is nothing wrong with patriotism – unless it stands on equal footing with our faith. Many allow politics to dominate their thinking. Suppose we are in a relationship with someone who doesn’t believe – will we allow ourselves to drift from God to salvage that relationship?
Perhaps most insidious – our families and our children. We all love our families and would die for our children – and indeed this is admirable - but where does that love stand relative to our love for God?
Jesus put the commandment a different way – even more meaningful in how we apply it to our lives: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength.” (Mark 12:30) Love God with everything we are and everything we have. Then the question becomes – do you?
God desires – and deserves – to be our top priority. Is he?
Ask yourself - Where does God fit into your life, really? Take a moment to be honest with yourself and with the Lord. No one else can answer this question for you. Even ask the Lord to show you. Is there something in your life that threatens to become an idol - that has become more important to you than your relationship with God?
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
I choose to have you, and you alone, sit on the throne of my life. Please open my eyes and my heart to let me know where I need to make a change. Please help me to overcome whatever idol I might have let replace you – or even come close to dominating my life above you. Please help me to put everything in proper perspective, Lord, knowing that my eternal life will be with you. Thank you, Father! And I pray this in the powerful name of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Where does God fit into your life? What are you giving most of your time and energy?
2. Is there anything you let infringe on your relationship with God? On your time with God? What is it – and how can you take steps to correct that?
3. Consider 1 John 5:21 - “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” Have you? Or is there something that you feel is so important to you that you don’t want to give it any less importance?
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ChrisBoswell
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.
Originally published Wednesday, 25 June 2025.
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