Well, believe it or not, the most common warning about sin in Scripture does not deal only with lying, gossip, adultery, stealing, or murder. The most common sin in all of Scripture that we’re told to avoid, reject, and move away from is idolatry.

Idolatry looks completely different today from what it once was. Whereas there was a time when idols were inanimate figures and statues, today they can come in various forms. Idolatry is an issue of the heart and can thus only be broken by a transformation of the heart.

Everything that is not of God raises itself up against God, even in the life of a Christian. So we constantly have idol pop-ups in our lives. We have to cast them down, but they will be there as long as we live here on earth.

Idols are anything that takes God's place in giving us fulfillment, satisfaction, security or significance. Many of the things that people have idolized -- both past and present -- are not necessarily bad things, but good things that take bad positions on our priority tree.

We are taught by the Bible to always put God first in our hearts. Colossians 3:5 says, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

Here are five modern-day things that we find it hard to admit are actually taking over our lives.

Work

Many people look to work for a sense of significance and security. While there is nothing wrong with work, it can be dangerous when it drives our decision-making to the point of completely ignoring God's ways and desires, or we put it before things that are equally or more deserving of our time.

Success

God wants us to be successful, but He does not desire success to take His place in our hearts. When we pursue success outside of God's will, we will find no satisfaction, but when we choose to surrender to God and His ways, Joshua 1:8 promises that we "...will be prosperous and successful." It's particularly easy to make success an idol when we follow other people's definitions, rather than God's.

Phones

Phones, tablets or whatever shiny piece of kit you carry around with you and can't stop checking every five minutes. If you're giving your electronic device more time and attention than your God and loved ones, something's wrong. You need to check your life again.

Image

In the age of Facebook and Instagram, we can be obsessed with projecting the image of the perfect life, perfect relationship, perfect kids, perfect holidays, perfect friendship group...Just choose your filter and in one click, your life can look like everybody else's dream come true. But the Christian faith is about the joy found in God, more than in ourselves or the things of this world. Let's make sure we're projecting this image to others more than anything else. In amongst all those pictures of yourself and all the great things in your life, are there any pictures of your church or anything that would speak to the world of your faith in God?

Materialism

This is a prevalent problem most especially with younger generations with all the peer pressure. But that's not to say that older generations are free from it, as today's consumerism - not to mention billion-dollar advertising industry - drives us to believe that we need certain objects, possessions and substances to feel happy and content. And with internet shopping and today's global market, there's no end to the things we could buy. Now more than ever we need that fruit of the Spirit, self-control.

Sex

Although sex was designed and created by God, man has maligned and distorted its value and purpose. We can be easily driven by the flesh instead of the word of God, especially in an age when nudity is celebrated over modesty, sexual exploits are boasted over, and our visual culture is awash with provocative images. In this day and age, sex has become an idol that drives us to make small and big decisions that will lead us away from Christ if we're not careful.

Money

Ok so it's not exactly a modern-day temptation only, but the lesson remains the same. There is much value in money, but it is not the most valuable thing. That's why Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

The biggest mistake when it comes to spotting idolatry is thinking that we cannot idolize good things. In fact, everything that man idolizes is something that is perceived to be good

Do not idolize your pastor

Thanks

Nice write up.

Bless you sir #the Lord is your strength

May God save us

Yea.. U have a point there..

Even work.
May God help us o

iliyande:

Money
Ok so it's not exactly a modern-day temptation only, but the lesson remains the same. There is much value in money, but it is not the most valuable thing. That's why Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

Money is God! But don't take my word for it. Read your bible and stop cherry picking verses. Besides,if money is such a bad 'master' why do your pastors keep demanding more and more of it?

That money matter men, if you don't have enough of it the MOG will not reckon with you in church so it's essential for God to bless one enough with it.

Nonsense!

PoisonedOne:
Nonsense!

can't blame you 'cus ur moniker already said ur problem

Couldn't agree more

ook

I give thanks to God for your life op. I don't know you but God bless you.

Trust in GOD...He is the only solid rock...all other grounds are sinking sand. All of a mans wealth and possessions can vanish over-night...Only God remains true, faithful and reliable for all eternity.

God will give us grace, those of us that work on Sunday. For He ( God) is a God of integrity and honours agreement

Like the OP said, there is nothing more idolize today than pastors! When a pastor says something without even quoting from the bilble it is belived to be the final say of God...

Sha i am not a christian but its the truth....

There is no God.

RUBBISH! You rely too much on fantasy! Not reality. Money, sex, materialism, work, success, phone etc is reality in the world we live in.

iliyande:
Well, believe it or not, the most common warning about sin in Scripture does not deal only with lying, gossip, adultery, stealing, or murder. The most common sin in all of Scripture that we’re told to avoid, reject, and move away from is idolatry.

Idolatry looks completely different today from what it once was. Whereas there was a time when idols were inanimate figures and statues, today they can come in various forms. Idolatry is an issue of the heart and can thus only be broken by a transformation of the heart.

Everything that is not of God raises itself up against God, even in the life of a Christian. So we constantly have idol pop-ups in our lives. We have to cast them down, but they will be there as long as we live here on earth.

Idols are anything that takes God's place in giving us fulfillment, satisfaction, security or significance. Many of the things that people have idolized -- both past and present -- are not necessarily bad things, but good things that take bad positions on our priority tree.

We are taught by the Bible to always put God first in our hearts. Colossians 3:5 says, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

Here are five modern-day things that we find it hard to admit are actually taking over our lives.

Work

Many people look to work for a sense of significance and security. While there is nothing wrong with work, it can be dangerous when it drives our decision-making to the point of completely ignoring God's ways and desires, or we put it before things that are equally or more deserving of our time.

Success

God wants us to be successful, but He does not desire success to take His place in our hearts. When we pursue success outside of God's will, we will find no satisfaction, but when we choose to surrender to God and His ways, Joshua 1:8 promises that we "...will be prosperous and successful." It's particularly easy to make success an idol when we follow other people's definitions, rather than God's.

Phones

Phones, tablets or whatever shiny piece of kit you carry around with you and can't stop checking every five minutes. If you're giving your electronic device more time and attention than your God and loved ones, something's wrong. You need to check your life again.

Image

In the age of Facebook and Instagram, we can be obsessed with projecting the image of the perfect life, perfect relationship, perfect kids, perfect holidays, perfect friendship group...Just choose your filter and in one click, your life can look like everybody else's dream come true. But the Christian faith is about the joy found in God, more than in ourselves or the things of this world. Let's make sure we're projecting this image to others more than anything else. In amongst all those pictures of yourself and all the great things in your life, are there any pictures of your church or anything that would speak to the world of your faith in God?

Materialism

This is a prevalent problem most especially with younger generations with all the peer pressure. But that's not to say that older generations are free from it, as today's consumerism - not to mention billion-dollar advertising industry - drives us to believe that we need certain objects, possessions and substances to feel happy and content. And with internet shopping and today's global market, there's no end to the things we could buy. Now more than ever we need that fruit of the Spirit, self-control.

Sex

Although sex was designed and created by God, man has maligned and distorted its value and purpose. We can be easily driven by the flesh instead of the word of God, especially in an age when nudity is celebrated over modesty, sexual exploits are boasted over, and our visual culture is awash with provocative images. In this day and age, sex has become an idol that drives us to make small and big decisions that will lead us away from Christ if we're not careful.

Money

Ok so it's not exactly a modern-day temptation only, but the lesson remains the same. There is much value in money, but it is not the most valuable thing. That's why Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

The biggest mistake when it comes to spotting idolatry is thinking that we cannot idolize good things. In fact, everything that man idolizes is something that is perceived to be good

Do not idolize your pastor

Good to know

Rubbish.

may God have mercy on us. #no one is perfect.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto you

Okay

So true

Too long
Someone please summarize

Chaiiiiiiii