Exodus 20:3 and Deuteronomy 5:7- “You shall have no other gods before me.”
You may say, with a sigh of relief, “That’s an easy command to keep. I worship God and Him, only. The Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
On the surface, this may seem to be true. However, let’s dig a little deeper into the true meaning of this otherwise “simple” command. Some of us, would have to admit that at some point in our lifetime, something or someone else has become a “god” to us.
Let’s look at the definition of “god”: an adored, admired, or influential person. For example, a renowned designer may be regarded as a “god” in the fashion industry.
- a thing accorded the supreme importance appropriate to a god: For example, don’t make money your god.
This word “god” is often used interchangeably with the word “idol”, an object that is worshipped.
Anything can become a god in our lives if we let it take control of our thoughts and actions…if we put it on the throne of our lives in place of our Lord and Savior who rightfully belongs there.
Here are a few such idols I thought of. (There are, undoubtedly hundred more.) Fame, family, fitness, food, football, golf, fortune, free time, fun, television…
To alcoholics, alcohol may have become their god, taking control of their thoughts, actions, and desires. To addicts, it is the drugs their bodies crave.
The list goes on to include gambling addicts, shopaholics, those trapped in a lifestyle of pornography, and on and on.
Some of these things are good, such as food. But when eating gets out of control and we begin the worship food…let it control us, we have crossed the line into dangerous territory.
So, how do we keep that from happening? We ask God for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in turning away from these “false gods” and back to Him. We pray for the strength necessary to repent from this kind of sin in our lives and toward the One True God. We ask others to pray for us, too.
We “keep our hearts and minds on Christ Jesus” as we are reminded to do in the scriptures. Daily Bible reading and memorization is key to renewing our minds.
If we need to, we seek Christian Counseling from our pastors and/or mental health professionals.
Jesus asks us to worship Him with all our hearts, our souls, and our minds.
Anything else we allow on the throne of our lives will steal our joy and erode our relationship with Him.
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