Idolatry

After reading this week's lesson, here are some thoughts and comments from our presenter, Kim Mahabirsingh, on, Idolatry.

This week we are looking at Idolatry. This ancient yet modern sin fuels countless heartaches and frustrations. It destroys jobs and relationships and distances us from God, the only One worthy of worship. The only One able to fulfill our deepest needs and grant us the joy and peace we seek.

When life feels uncertain or our cravings are not satisfied, it’s easy and comforting, momentarily, to grasp on to temporary fillers.

If only we had more money, more friends, more experiences, or achievements, then we’d be happy and content. But this type of mentality leads to idolatry by shifting our focus off of Jesus and placing it instead on the temporary and insufficient pleasures of today.

Whatever we treasure more than God, whatever drives our thoughts and actions, becomes an idol, and these idols nullify our spiritual hearing and harden our hearts to our God.

We will delve into the concept of idols and why God made it clear in the first two commandments. He is our God and we should not have any other Gods but Him.

What is the definition of Idolatry?

1) The worship of idols.

2) Extreme admiration, love, or reverence for

something or someone.

What is the definition of Idolatry in the Bible?

Idolatry, in Judaism and Christianity, is the worship of someone or something

other than God as though it were God. The first of the biblical Ten Commandments prohibits idolatry: “You shall have no other gods before me.”

What are the Characteristics of Idolatry?

- Idols are attractive.

- Idols are available.

- Idols make promises they cannot keep.

To begin we visit the Ten commandments:

The first 2 commandments: Exodus 20 : 3-5 says;

3  Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

5  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Isaiah 44 gives us some insights into why the Israelites felt the need to make Idols, the things he used, and their purposes

Commentary on Isaiah 44:9-20.

(Read Isaiah 44:9-20)

Image-making is described, to expose the folly of idolaters. Though a man had used part of a log for fuel, he fell down before an image made of the remainder, praying it to deliver him. Man greatly dishonors God, when he represents him after the image of man. Satan blinds the eyes of unbelievers, causing absurd reasonings in matters of religion. Whether men seek happiness in worldly things or run into unbelief,

superstition, or any false system, they feed on ashes. A heart deceived by pride, love of sin, and departure from God, turns men aside from his holy truth and worship. While the affections are depraved, a man holds fast the lie as his best treasure. Are our hearts set upon the wealth of the world and its pleasures? They will certainly prove a lie. If we trust to outward professions and doings, as if those would save us, we deceive ourselves. Self-suspicion is the first step towards self-deliverance. He that would deliver his soul, must question his conscience, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

Commentary on Isaiah 44:21-28

(Read Isaiah 44:21-28)

Return unto me. It is the great concern of those who have backslidden from God, like the Jews of old, to hasten their return to him. The work of redemption wrought for us by Christ

encourages us to hope for all blessings from him. Our transgressions and our sins are like a thick cloud between heaven and earth: sins separate God and us; they threaten a storm of wrath. When God pardons sin, he blots out, he dispels this cloud, this thick cloud, so that the way to heaven is open again. The cloud is scattered

By the Sun of righteousness; it is quite gone. The comforts that flow into the soul when

sin is pardoned, are like clear shining after clouds and rain. Let not Israel be discouraged; nothing is too hard for God: having made all, he can make what use he pleases of any. Those that learn to know Christ, see all knowledge to be foolishness, in comparison with the knowledge of him. And his enemies will find their counsels turned into foolishness, and themselves was taken in their craftiness. The exact fulfillment of the prophecies of Scripture confirms the truth of the whole and proves its Divine origin. The particular favors God designed for his people in captivity, were foretold here, long

before they went into captivity. Very great difficulties would be in the way of their deliverance, but it is promised that by Divine power they should all be removed. God knew who should be the Deliverer of his people; and let his church know it, that when they heard such a name talked of, they might know their redemption drew nigh. It is the greatest honor of the greatest men, to be employed as instruments of the Divine favor to his people. In things wherein men serve themselves, and look no further, God makes them do all his pleasure. And a nobler Shepherd than Cyrus does his Father's will, till his work is fully completed.

What are some of the things we have as Idols but think they are not idols?

1) When we have an Idol why do we worship it?

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2) What do we hope to gain from it?

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3) Why then do we not do the same for God?

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4)We are focusing on Food as an idol, so what are the good things eating brings to us?

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5)What are the bad things that eating brings to us?

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Again, it comes back to choices. We have to choose in every aspect of the Bible and in our lives. Choose to worship God above all things, choose to eat the right foods, and choose to deal with our emotional turmoil. Be knowledgeable in the word of God so we will not be deceived. Eating makes us feel better for 5 minutes, turning to God and allowing his truths to set us free will help us to choose the right things to do always.

What has God done for us and what does he want from us?

Read Isaiah 44:21 – 23.

Remember to work on your Truth Journal at least once a week. Follow the guide below.

Situation:

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Emotion:

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Belief:

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Truth:

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