Keep Yourselves from Idols

“While Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16).

Someone has referred to the human heart as an idol factory. People want to worship and nothing will stop them. This is why our city is full of Mosques. But it is also why our city if full of shopping malls. It is natural for human creatures to look for something they can bow before including wealth, power, luxury, fame, and even human relationships. Like ancient Athens, the city and the world is full of idols.

This being the case, we Christians must beware of two things:

First, we have the good news that sets people free from idols. Paul preached it in Athens telling the people about Jesus, who was sent by God to bring salvation and eternal life (Acts 17:16-34). We too should share this greatest of all messages with those who are trapped in false worship. Like Paul, we should be wise in our approach. He spoke to the Jews like a Jew. He spoke to the philosophers like a philosopher. But he did speak and so should we!

Second, we must beware lest we make idols in our own hearts. Oh yes, even the Christian can be guilty of this. Jesus knows it, so he warns us not to attempt serving God and money (Matthew 6:24). Of course money is not the only thing that traps us. Anything that begins to take the place of God in our lives is an idol. We must be watchful so this does not happen to us..

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder