Identifying Our Idols

Last week Daniel 3 took us to Babylon where King Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful man in the world, had set up a huge, golden image which everyone was required to worship.  If anyone refused to bow down and pay homage to this symbol of the King’s greatness, it was the death penalty—into the furnace!

As the story goes, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel’s three colleagues who’d also be taken captive and conscripted into service of the Babylonian Empire) said NO.  They refused to worship any­thing or anyone other than the one true God, come what may.  So they were cast into the flames—but God intervened to rescue them.  In the end, King Nebuchadnezzar’s illusions of his own supremacy were dashed:  only “the Most High God” is worthy of worship (3:29)!

Circle back with me to that scene where everyone was commanded to worship the King’s image—that 90-foot-tall golden idol.  We might look on and think, “Well, we do have our spiritual struggles today, but at least we don’t worship idols!”  Or do we?

Tim Keller says, “If anything becomes more fun­da­mental than God to your happiness, meaning in life, and identity, then it is an idol” (Counterfeit Gods, p. xix).  Even very good things can become idols.

Nicholas McDonald wrote an article, “Hello, I Am an Idol,” in which our idol speaks for itself:  “Allow me to rename myself.  I’m your family.  Your bank account.  Your sex life.  The people who accept you.  Your career.  Your self-image.  Your ideal spouse.  Your law-keeping.  I’m whatever you want me to be.”

What idols are beckoning for your heart?  Is it sports, money, beauty, influence, status?  Christina Fox points to “The Idols of a Mother’s Heart,” including affirmation, children, success, and con­trol.  Bob Kauflin names some Sunday morning idols, like traditional music, new music, liturgy, creativity, knowledge, and experience. 

Mack Stiles gets to the heart of the matter: “If you can identify your dissatisfac­tion with how God is running the show, you can identify the place where you are tempted for idols to become your God” (17 Things My Kids Taught Me about God).  He goes on, “Kill the idols in your life by making Christ your life” (pp. 68-69).

Be assured, regardless of its glitter, every idol disappoints.  It doesn’t matter how attractive or socially acceptable it is:  only God “can truly fulfill you, and, if you fail him, can truly forgive you” (Keller, xxiv). 

So look away from your idols and fix your eyes (and the eyes of your heart, Ephesians 1:18) on Jesus—he’s the true, eternal lover of your soul.  Turn your attention to the Giver of every good gift.  Seek your joy, your meaning, your identity in knowing and being known by our Great and Gracious God!