You Are What You Worship

The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.  They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;  They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.  They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.

Psalm 135:15-18

It is a very simple spiritual principle really.  You are what you worship.  Let's be a bit clearer.  You will become like the object of affection you place as top priority in your life.  If the LORD is first and foremost, you will become more like Him as the Word and the Holy Spirit work in your life to conform you into His image.  "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10)."  Conversely, if anything else takes God's rightful place then you will become like the lie you worship.  "Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led (1 Corinthians 12:2)."  

The fruitlessness of idolatry was clearly seen in biblical times.  For instance, many worshiped the goddess Asherah.  This was a perverse idol of sexual immorality and promiscuity and those who followed this goddess (aka. Easter,Ishtar, Diana, Semiramis, Ashtoreth, Isis, Cybele, to list a few) always engaged in immoral and godless behavior.  No wonder the LORD wanted the obelisk phallic symbols or fertility poles associated with her worship torn down.  Strange that these perverted symbols are everywhere present throughout America isn't it? No wonder the nation is becoming more perverse.

Since the immoral worship of Ashtoreth called for sexual perversion, including homosexuality, something had to be done to the children born of the immoral acts.  This led to worship of Baal or Molech.  The innocent children were burnt to this god in groves throughout Israel.  Like Asherah, this god was worshiped by many different names in various cultures.  Today, we just call it abortion.

In the ancient times the idol and its worship directed all of life for the devoted adherent.  Since all of life was centered around this false god or goddess, most followers had their own personal idols at home as well.  Elaborate and ornate designs went into the building of these family idols and no cost was spared.  "They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not (Jeremiah 10:4)."  They were typically the most important and precious thing in the house.  Why not?  It was the idol that directed life and all of its thoughts and actions.  They were so important that they took center place in the home and all furniture was set so as to direct one's attention to the god of the house.

Now!  What is all of the furniture in your house directed towards?  Does its opinions guide your life or do you think for yourself?  Does it lead you towards or away from the true knowledge of God?  Be careful lest your idol does all your thinking for you!  Think for yourself!  Think hard and long on Jesus--He is Soon2Come!

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it [is] laid over with gold and silver, and [there is] no breath at all in the midst of it.

Habakkuk 2:18-19