Live In Reality

Live in Reality, Not Delusion (Isa. 40:18-23; 41:5-7; 44:9,18-20;45:20-22) Bottom Line Definitions of Idolatry Anything (any person, object, idea etc.) which usurps the place of God in the human heart. Possible synonyms for idolatry: “misplaced priorities” or “skewed perspectives” Anything that robs God of the worship and glory properly due Him. Give God the glory due Him (1 Chron. 16:29, Ps. 29:2, Rom. 1:21-23) Idolatry is always, first and foremost, a sin of the heart (Ezek. 14:3; 20:16) that involves selfishly lusting after things, instead of loving God. Idolatry becomes visible in things like addictive habits, controlling hobbies or possessions, unhealthy relationships, rebellious attitudes and divisive words. Some Biblical descriptions of idols (from the Hebrew) Aven & Elil, "nothingness;" "vanity" (i.e. futile, useless, unreal) (Isa. 66:3; 41:29; Deut. 32:21; 1 Sam. 12:21, 1 Kings 16:13; Ps. 31:6; 97:7, Isa. 19:3, Jer. 8:19) Is there something in your life on which you are wasting significant amounts of time & energy? Shikkuts, "filth;" "impurity" (Ezek. 37:23; Nah. 3:6, see also Eph. 5:5) Is there something impure in your life which is defiling your “temple of God”, see 2 Cor. 6:16-17) Tselem, "a shadow" (Dan. 3:1; 1 Sam. 6:5, see also Jer. 10:15) Shadows fade away (Ps. 102:11, 109:23, 144:4) Do you worship that which is transitory or that which is eternal? Atsab, "a figure fashioned by man's labor (Isa. 2:8-9, 48:5; Ps. 139:24) Are you obsessed with any material thing(s)? (see Phil. 3:7-11) Maskith, "a device", “a snare” (Lev. 26:1; Num. 33:52, Ps. 106:35-36) Designed by Satan to capture human hearts. Other Biblical Associations with Idolatry Covetousness is idolatry (Col. 3:5, Eph. 5:5) Stubbornness towards God is like idolatry (1 Sam. 15:23) The pride of life (the pursuit of self glory and honor) = self-worship = idolatry (Daniel 4:30-33) Other possibilities (excessive pursuit of beauty, strength, knowledge, sensual pleasure, acquisition/ownership, etc.) = idolatry (see Ecc. 1:17, 2:4-11, 5:10, Jer. 9:23-24) Both great & small are vulnerable to idolatry (Is. 2:8-9)

Wrong association leads to idolatry (Ps. 106:35-36) “peer pressure” Fear and ignorance feed idolatry Idolatry is one of the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21) We are “temples of God’s Spirit” and idols have no place in God’s temple (2 Cor. 6:16) God Forbids Idolatry God said, "You shall have no other gods before Me!" (Exodus 20:3-5, Ps. 81:9, 1 John 5:21, 1 Cor. 10:14) The Consequences of Idolatry We become like that which we worship/love “They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless.” (2 Kings 17:15, Isaiah 44:9-10, Jer. 13:1-10, Ps. 115:8) Worshipping idols causes us to become estranged from God (Ezek. 14:1-5) Worshipping idols causes us to be confounded (i.e. blind, confused, perplexed, bewildered, annoyed, failing without understanding why) (Hab. 2:18; Ps. 97:7; Isa. 44:18 & 20; Matt. 13:15; Rom. 1:28; 11:8-10) Worshipping idols causes us to forget God, and in doing so, ultimately to perish (Deut. 8:19, 30:17, 1 Kings 9:6-8, Eph. 5:5; 2 Thess. 2:10-12) There is no security, and no salvation, in any but God (Isa. 44:8; 45:5, 14, 18, 20-22; 46:9). Therefore, to trust in anything else is a false hope. If we pursue idolatry, then we, our land, and our worship becomes polluted and profane before God. (Acts 15:20) Think for example of the “Christian” who advocates abortion (idolizing convenience) and then comes to worship in God’s sanctuary (Ezek. 26:37-39) But if we turn back to God he will cleanse us of this pollution (Ezek. 36:21-30) We are told to flee from Idolatry (1 Cor. 10:14; 1 John 5:21) pheugo {fyoo'-go} Gk. = flee away from, seeking safety from by taking flight, shun as abhorrent We are also told to avoid idolators (1 Cor. 5:10-11) The Incomparable Character of God (Isa. 46:9-10) God is both majestic and merciful (Micah 7:18)

God is both glorious and gracious God is uniquely holy and far above us, yet at the same time, He chooses to pursue a relationship with us God is all-knowing (Ps. 33:13-15) and all-powerful By comparison the princes of the earth are nothing and the judges of the earth irrational (Isa. 40:23) His Spirit creates, sustains and renews (Ps. 51:10; 104:30; Isa. 40:31; 65:17; Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 4:16; 5:17; Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:23; Titus 3:5; Matt. 6:25-33;10:29-31) We should seek to emulate the character of Our creator The Eightfold character of God (Lam. 3:22-31) 1. Merciful 2. Compassionate 3. Faithful 4. Good 5. Deliverer 6. Just and righteous 7. Longsuffering 8. Kind