Modern Idols

There are three types of idols: manmade idols, modern idols, and hidden idols. This is going to discuss modern idols and expose another part of the enemy’s plan with idolatry. What are modern idols? These idols are your typical things in this world. Games, sports, hobbies, people, wealth, jobs, spouse, children, addictions like pornography or alcoholism, social media, your lifestyle, adrenaline rushes, etc. The list can go on and on because anything can be an idol if it is put above God, but these are generally your common idols. These idols are very good at being heavy distractions to draw your focus from God onto themselves. They aim to rob your heart. Jesus explained this perfectly in His parable of the four soils.
(7) “And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.” (18-19) “Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” – Mark 4:7, 18-19.
What can be seen here is that Jesus was explaining this parable as the soil being the hearts of us. The seed, which is the Word of God, would bear fruit only if the soil was right. The thorny ground is those whose hearts are dwelling in idolatry. The thing about idols is that they choke the Word out of us, making us unfruitful. Rather than bearing a plant that bears nourishing and healthy fruits, we bear a weed that bears a deceiving flower. Weeds can bear flowers that look pretty on the outside, but it is still a weed that chokes God’s Word out of the inside. Don’t let your flesh justify idolatry deceiving you by a pretty outside, for all idolatry seeks self-destruction from the inside out.
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” – Luke 9:25.
So, if idolatry is destruction from the inside out, how does it happen? First, it chokes the Word out of your heart, robs the soil, which is your heart, of all it has leaving it barren of all nutrition and life, and springs a flower that looks pretty to others but in reality, is corrupt and wicked. It is very evident that idolatry will leave your heart barren and lifeless.
“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?” – Ezekiel 14:3.
This verse tells us plainly that idols are in the heart, which causes people to stumble into iniquity, which is lawlessness and sin. Even people with a heart for the Lord can stumble and let them be choked by idols if they aren’t careful. Since idols are like weeds, they can spring up very quickly; hence why we need to check our hearts constantly. This battle takes place in your heart. Look at the story of the rich young ruler. (Matthew 19:16-22) The man had asked how to enter eternal life, and Jesus responded to keep the commandments, and the ruler had replied that he had kept them from his youth. But notice this one thing Jesus then told him.
“The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” – Matthew 19:20-22.
The man may have kept all these commandments, but notice the one thing that wasn’t truly there, his heart. Why did the young ruler go away sorrowfully? It was because he cared about all his possessions and valued them in his heart. Everything always roots back to the heart. Commandments are commandments, but salvation is a heart change. Commandments will keep you in check and in boundaries, but they cannot change your heart. Now the question that remains is this: how can one be free of these idols? It is very simple! Deny your flesh because one of the works of the flesh is idolatry, according to Galatians 5. But also look at what Paul tells the Galatians regarding the works of the flesh.
“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:24-25.
It is a matter of the choice of the heart. Will you choose to nurture the weeds of idolatry or the Word of God, which bears fruit and nourishes your heart? Remember, God loves you and wants to reveal things that are hurting you for the purpose of redemption. That is why throughout the entire Word of God, He has warned His people about their sins that He may show them a way of redemption to a better life in Him. So overall, modern idols are everywhere. These thorns are invasive, trying to invade your heart distracting you and destroying you inside out. But remember Christ, for Christ is our redemption and the way. He will keep you and watch over you if you will simply abide in Him, for those who abide in Him, He will abide in as well.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He abides in Me, and I in him bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and through them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” – John 15:4-8.