Our Gods

              He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. It is used as fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”

            From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, “Save me! You are my god!” They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand. No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, “Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” (Isaiah 44:14-20)

 

            As we read this passage with our snobbery in place and active, we’re likely to agree. Those folks in the past who worshipped wooden idols were fools! We know better. The truth is that we’re no wiser than they. We just don’t understand what a god is. I’ve probably discussed this too many times already, but it’s useful information that may help  us get rid of some idols we didn’t know we had.

            A god is that which informs or controls our lives. Scripture makes it clear that it doesn’t have to be an intelligent entity, like Jehovah. It can be. Here’s an incomplete list of potential gods in our lives:

loved ones             food                      alcohol        nicotine

money                  gambling               other drugs  a job

a career                 a reputation           the stars      the planets

plants                   nature                     science        TV shows/celebrities

ideas                     nations                 power          leaders

being liked            being attractive     being right   winning

physique               sex/sexuality         skin color    strength

family                   home                    homeland    competence

self-_______         love                      joy              peace

kindness               goodness              church         religion

science                  philolosophy

            I’m sure you could add a few dozen more. The point is that given the right circumstances, just about anything can become a god. The worst other god is ourselves.

            Often, people will object. There’s the old “I can quit any time I want to” line. We’ll say that the thing in question isn’t a god. We just like it, or it’s just good for us. The excuses are many, but the test is simple. When it comes to a choice between that thing and anything else, what wins? When you’re in trouble, where do you turn? What are the three most important things in your life – and based on how much time, talent, treasure, and effort you give them, which is really the most important?

            I’m not telling you how to run your life. But I can tell you that when I look at my life, God doesn’t seem to fit in the top three. I’m not even sure He comes in the top ten, and that’s a scary thought. I would like to be able to say that I love, believe, and trust Him but looking at my life, I’m not so sure.

            Part of the problem may be definitional, but discerning where the line is between using or doing something and that thing taking on godhood is hard to find. It’s also fallen human nature to step over that line.