I have made the mistake of looking for
true messengers instead of looking for true messages. This subtle
difference in focus has led to idolatry.
I speak of my own idolatry and what I'm
learning as I repent and change. It is so easy to fall into idolatry
and worship something or someone which is not God. The first
definition of idolatry that came up on google is:
- worship of idols
- extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone.
Here is the Noah Webster's 1828
Dictionary definition.
1. The worship of
idols, images, or any thing made by hands, or which is not God.
Idolatry is of two
kinds; the worship of images, statues, pictures, etc. made by hands;
and the worship of the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon and stars, or
of demons, angels, men and animals.
2. Excessive
attachment or veneration for any thing, or that which borders on
adoration.
The form of idolatry I have been most
susceptible to is extreme admiration, love, or reverence for someone.
Why have I been susceptible to this
form of idolatry?
Because someone has money . . .
or fame . . .
or power . . .
or position . . .
or knowledge . . .
or experience . . .
or confidence . . .
or spiritual gifts . . .
or a connection with heaven . . .
or love . . .
or . . .
It's easy to have extreme admiration,
love, or reverence for someone, especially when that person has
something, some quality, or some experience I am lacking. It is
easier to idolize someone I can see and touch than to worship the God
who I do not see or touch. Yet, I am left with an empty feeling when
I give way to idolatry. No one or no thing can ever replace the
fulfillment, peace, and joy that comes from true worship of the
living God.
Part of my weakness has been feeling I
need someone's help in my journey back to God, and it is true enough
that I do need help, but I trust God will send the help when I am
ready and when I need it. “When the student is ready the teacher
appears.” Those teachers come in all shapes and sizes, and they
often come in the form of mortals. But if a mortal or angel from
heaven is sent to deliver a message from God, should I admire or
reverence that being? NO!!!
John, who still resides on and
ministers to those on this earth as a translated being, had to also
learn this lesson.
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto
the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the
true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he
said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy
brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the
testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. And I saw heaven
opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns;
and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he
was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called
The Word of God. . . (Revelation 19:9-13)
A servant came with a true message, and
John fell at his feet to worship him. The messenger said, “See
thou do it not.” Following this, a glorious vision of our Lord was
opened to John. The servant/messenger came and did what God asked
him to do, but it wasn't because of the messenger that John received
the vision, it was because of God.
It is so easy to admire, love, or
reverence the messenger that comes from God. I have looked at my
experience and understood my idolatry at a new level. When a true
message is delivered, I feel God. I like that feeling. I'm tempted
to associate that feeling with the messenger who stands before me
instead of God who is the author of the message.
No matter the experience, knowledge, or
gifts of others, no one is more special than another. There is no
reason to admire or reverence anyone or anything except God. God is
no respecter of persons, and I think it wise to follow His example.
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God
is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him,
and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:34-35)
It is the message that matters not the
messenger. The most lowly and unnoticed among us can come with a
true message that should be considered, and the most revered and
trusted can come with a false message that ought to be rejected. It
is easy to be lifted in pride and fall prey to idolatry.
I do not point my finger at the
idolater because the sin has been in me. I am in process of
repenting and seeing things in a brighter light.
What is the new paradigm my heart is
learning?
- I see all others as equals with me. No one is more special or less special than another. It does not matter what they've done, said, or experienced, they are my equal.
- I consider the message that is delivered because of the message not because of the messenger.
- I trust God, and only God. He is my teacher, He is my Savior, and He sets up and orchestrates every lesson along my path of increased happiness, joy, and peace.
- My journey is unique. I follow the path God has laid out for me, and trust that everyone else is doing the same thing. My journey is between God and me. I am grateful when I cross paths with others and experience the joy of God together, but my attachment is to God not to the mortals or immortals with whom I associate.
- I love others because to love and serve each other is to know God.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee
an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw
we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or
when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King
shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done
it unto me. Matthew 25
I am grateful for my experiences as an
idolater because I have learned that idolatry brings misery, sadness,
longing, doubt, and instability. I cannot say I have repented of
idolatry just because I see a new level of idolatry that I had not
comprehended; because whenever I think I have been enlightened and
come out of the dark, I find there is still a greater light to be
comprehended. But seeing how to more fully repent of idolatry has
brought me greater peace and freedom.
