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Idolatry Among UsBy: Joseph H. Murray“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen” (1John 5:21). So much stress is put on love and loving one another today that you would almost be tempted to think that the whole world has turned to God and there is nothing wrong with anyone. Anytime we fail to see anything wrong with each other and fail to detest the evil in each of us, we become idols to each other, and no more are we a help to each other but a hindrance. We need to detect every unclean motive that is activated among us and hate that evil with every ounce of godliness that is in us. We can become worshipers of one another, and God will be left out of our lives. This, my brother or sister, is idolatry in its rawest form. This personal love often becomes misguided and many of God’s children have fallen into sin because of it. Sure, I know we have to love one another, for the Scripture tells us, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, that he who loveth God love his brother also” (1John 4:20–21). Paul said these words: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say” (1Cor. 10:13–15). He also wrote these words to the Colossians: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them” (Col. 3:1–7). “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not once be named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience” (Eph. 5:1–6). |
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