Part Dos
As we look at the kinds of things we worship we have to ask what forms this idolatry takes.
But before I assume you know what idolatry is, let me just clarify a little.
I am not talking about bowing down to a little statue of Budda located in your entryway or possibly a small shrine in the foyer.
I am talking about the kinds of things that capture our hearts. The kinds of things we will give up everything else to pursue because we think that thing will provide the satisfaction, fulfillment, joy, pleasure, whatever it is that we think we need to live a happy life.
But instead of trying to identify each and every little thing (such as neapolitan sugar wafers--which I loooovveee) I like to think in terms of major categories.
These are--drumroll please: power, pleasure and praise.
Okay maybe that's decidedly anticlimactic, but let me explain why they are so important.
These three areas represent general categories under which fall almost all other forms of idolatry. They are also the areas in which we are most likely to serve ourselves in, in opposition to God.
For example I may value the praise of people not God.
I may want the power to do what I want, instead of trusting God.
And last I may seek pleasure that is only self serving, and not glorifying to God.
The irony is that when these three areas are in right alignment with our relationship to God, all is well--generally speaking.
Why?
These areas represent forms of worship that can draw us toward or away from God and man depending on how they are approached.
Let me give you an example.
Power. What is power? It is the desire for control over the situations, events, people, circumstances you name it, that I am confronted with in day to day life.
But who really has control? God. He alone is sovereign over all things and worthy of unmitigated worship.
So where do I want power in my life?
Probably just about everything.
In fact if you are a Christian, it was probably your recognition that you were powerless over the sin in your life that drove you to the cross in the first place.
If you are not, then it is probably power which keeps you hesitant to give up control to a being who is outside yourself.
But Christian or non we all indulge in a healthy dose of control freakishness in our daily lives.
We want to eat the food we like, we want to be with the people we like, we want to do what we like. You get the idea.
Now again, sometimes power, pleasure and praise are not always bad--I mean hey who doesn't enjoy the pleasure of killer Thai food once in a while. But if you are willing to sin either directly or indirectly in order to get it or keep it, or you think that Thai food is going to be the source of ultimate fulfillment in your life, well then we have a problem.
So, having laid this groundwork, next time I would like to relate how these three areas impact our walks with God, our relationships others and our spouses in particular.
As we look at the kinds of things we worship we have to ask what forms this idolatry takes.
But before I assume you know what idolatry is, let me just clarify a little.
I am not talking about bowing down to a little statue of Budda located in your entryway or possibly a small shrine in the foyer.
I am talking about the kinds of things that capture our hearts. The kinds of things we will give up everything else to pursue because we think that thing will provide the satisfaction, fulfillment, joy, pleasure, whatever it is that we think we need to live a happy life.
But instead of trying to identify each and every little thing (such as neapolitan sugar wafers--which I loooovveee) I like to think in terms of major categories.
These are--drumroll please: power, pleasure and praise.
Okay maybe that's decidedly anticlimactic, but let me explain why they are so important.
These three areas represent general categories under which fall almost all other forms of idolatry. They are also the areas in which we are most likely to serve ourselves in, in opposition to God.
For example I may value the praise of people not God.
I may want the power to do what I want, instead of trusting God.
And last I may seek pleasure that is only self serving, and not glorifying to God.
The irony is that when these three areas are in right alignment with our relationship to God, all is well--generally speaking.
Why?
These areas represent forms of worship that can draw us toward or away from God and man depending on how they are approached.
Let me give you an example.
Power. What is power? It is the desire for control over the situations, events, people, circumstances you name it, that I am confronted with in day to day life.
But who really has control? God. He alone is sovereign over all things and worthy of unmitigated worship.
So where do I want power in my life?
Probably just about everything.
In fact if you are a Christian, it was probably your recognition that you were powerless over the sin in your life that drove you to the cross in the first place.
If you are not, then it is probably power which keeps you hesitant to give up control to a being who is outside yourself.
But Christian or non we all indulge in a healthy dose of control freakishness in our daily lives.
We want to eat the food we like, we want to be with the people we like, we want to do what we like. You get the idea.
Now again, sometimes power, pleasure and praise are not always bad--I mean hey who doesn't enjoy the pleasure of killer Thai food once in a while. But if you are willing to sin either directly or indirectly in order to get it or keep it, or you think that Thai food is going to be the source of ultimate fulfillment in your life, well then we have a problem.
So, having laid this groundwork, next time I would like to relate how these three areas impact our walks with God, our relationships others and our spouses in particular.
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