Idolatry

There are many haunting and disturbing portraits of idolatry in the Scriptures.

Perhaps the one that has most gripped my imagination is in Isaiah, chapter 44:9-20.

It is a long passage, but I want to share it with you because it provides a uniquely vivid and insightful description of idolatry. While this passage in Isaiah describes a relatively primitive form of idolatry, I am convinced that human nature doesn't change much over time. The outward form of idolatry changes from culture to culture and from person to person. But whether your idols are material or metaphysical, we are all tempted to love the creation more than our Creator.

In his book We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry, G.K. Beale states a powerful principle: "What we revere, we resemble, either for ruin or restoration."

In his book, Beale shows how this principle runs throughout the entire storyline of the Bible. It's worth considering again: "What we revere, we resemble, either for ruin or restoration."

Think of the physical idols, the statues, in this passage from Isaiah.

They have eyes — but they cannot see. They have ears — but they cannot hear. They have mouths — but they cannot speak.

And so, as Beale explains, "… created objects do not contain God's living Spirit, and to the degree that people revere them, they will become devoid of the Spirit—unspiritual."

To become like an idol is our ruin. But to become like Christ - that is what restores us.

We see in this passage from Isaiah some common themes of idolatry.

First, worship of an idol requires a great cost. We can work to please our idols for days and days and days.

Second, idolatry does not deliver. The satisfaction is carnal: a meal, the warmth of a fire. But the ultimate satisfaction is missing. We end up eating ashes.

Third, idolatry leads to spiritual blindness. Our idolatry changes us so that we can no longer see or understand spiritual realities. We gain a deluded heart.

Fourth, idolatry leads to judgment. Though we think we have done something great, we find ourselves put to shame.

Isaiah makes it very clear: idolatry is one of the most destructive parts of our lives, but we hardly notice it.

How often do you think about the idols of your heart? Are you able to diagnose them? To replace them?

No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, 'Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?' He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, 'Is there not a lie in my right hand?'

Complete an Idolatry Self-Assessment:

Identify any idols that may be hindering your spiritual growth. These can be material possessions, relationships, achievements, or intangible things like control, comfort, or approval.

For each idol, consider: What need does this idol seem to fulfill? How has pursuing it affected my relationship with God and others?

In dependence on God, consider how you might replace each idol with a renewed focus on Christ.