Idols in the Shadows

Our lives and relationships, though wonderful at times, are also stained with sin.  We can hardly live a single day without the possibility/reality of offending or being offended.  Sometimes, we even do everything right, then...WHAMMO! a fight breaks out.  Minutes later, we are left scratching our head saying, "Where in the world did that come from?" or "How in the world did this happen?"

Without fail, if there is a break in relationship, however long that break may last, there is an idol lingering in the shadows.  Idols are tricky that way.  They like to hide, whispering in the conscience, making promises, and thus feeding our sinful flesh.  Idols are by nature small, but in our perception become quite large.  Their lies seep into our innermost being, and, if we are not careful, our hearts will become completely enslaved.  Our hearts then begin to beat idolatrous blood.  If one were to look at our heart, they would see our idol.  If one were to rip out our idol, they would rip out our heart. 

Relationships naturally fiddle with idols.  Others, who do not necessarily want what we want, often get in the way of what we want.  This is precisely when the "WHAMMO!" happens.   Idols demand devotion.  And they keep our devotion by promising what every person deeply longs for - acceptance and satisfaction.  So we cling to them.  We "set our minds" upon them.  The only problem is that idols don't like to share.  They are fragile, easily broken, and thus require constant care, attention, and nurture.  In other words, idols can die.  They die easily.  And when they do, their promises die with them.  We are then left holding on to nothing...but despair. 

Therefore, when another person enters our situation we are immediately on guard.  If the person asks something from us, we immediately run that directive by our idol.  Should the person's request serve our idol - we move forward, albeit selfishly.  Should it not - we resist; or, move forward with resentment.  Depending on how threatened the idol is by the other person, we may even tell the person to "shove off."  WHAMMO!

This is a huge subject, so let me give some practical thoughts.  How do you know when you have stumbled upon an idol?  If a person builds their life on an idolatrous promise, that person will react accordingly when that idol dies or is threatened.  I call these "over reactions."  The Bible identifies these as anger, wrath, malice, deceit, obscene talk, sexual immorality, fear, anxiety, depression and so on.  So when any of these are present, an idol must be present as well.  Look for it.

What do you do when you find it?  This is the crucial part.  We must be careful.  If this is done without great care, you might get cut!  Remember, "WHAMMO!"?  The idol must be dethroned.  It must die (Note: I have been referring to idols in the singular; but it is common to have a multitude of them running around in our lives).  The best way to kill an idol is to take away its leverage - you must peel its greedy fingers from the heart.  How is this done?  Only with the gospel.

You see, the idol whispers things like, "If you don't have me, you will never be acceptable."  or "If I should be out of your life, you will never be satisfied."  What are some idols in your life?  Cell phone?  New car?  Good grades?  Money?  Clothes?  Food?  Beer?  Anything can be an idol.  Be careful.

So, you have to respond to the idol by calling it what it is - a liar.  No earthly thing can satisfy us?  Nor can any created thing pay our debt to make us acceptable.  The promises are simply not true.  Idols are not faithful.  How many times have you been let down?  How many times have your idols lied? 

Did the boyfriend or girlfriend really ultimately satisfy you?  When they didn't, what did you do?  Experiment with sexual behavior?  Yeah...that's it...that will satisfy me!  And when that didn't work, what did you do?  Break up?  Then what?  Depression?  Despair?  Your idol has died...and it must be replaced.  Not with another relationship, but with Christ alone, through faith and repentance.

Christ is the One, in whom the fullness of God dwells bodily (Col 2).  He is the divine righteous One who can pay (and by faith has paid!) your debt.  Only He can fill...only He can satisfy.  Again, only the gospel will do.  How many times have we dethroned one idol only to enthrone another?  A person gives up smoking and soon finds him/herself eating.  We all do it.  As Calvin said, "Our hearts are idol making factories."  The saying goes something like this: "Satan will gladly take a cold to give cancer."

This is why the apostle tells us to set our minds upon Christ (Col 3:1-4).  In Him we have been filled.  In Him we have been forgiven.  Suddenly there is no space left for idols to occupy in our hearts.  Christ kills them when they try.  He is our Victorious King.  Our Warrior enthroned on high!  He will never be dethroned.  Therefore, in Christ, there is no good reason for "WHAMMO!"