Well, we are onto the 2nd Commandment that God gave us. I have heard people say that the Commandments are old school. That the bible as a whole is old school. That God needs to give us wiggle room with His rules. That we live in a different world now. That there is no way He could expect us to continue with the same rules that have been around since before Christ's birth!?! Here is the stone-cold hard truth of it! Do you think that just because we have buildings that go up into the sky, and cars that drive themselves, and that because we have computers, and cell phones, and the whole world at our fingertips. That the temptations that the world offers us, are different than they were back then??? NO!!! All the temptations are the same! The pressures may be more evident now. Things may be more assessable now! Just as the temptation are the same, the fact that God loves us fiercely is also still the same! He watches our moves! He still cares what we choose!
Malachi 3:6 says, "I am the Lord, and I do not change..." Hebrews 13:8&9 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas..."
Just as the Lord has never and will never change- His rules have never and will never change. Just the same as all of us, you are a human and created in God's image. The same as Adam and Eve were. That has never and will never change! Just because our surroundings have changed, and maybe the enemy has stepped up his game a little, does not change how God will react to someone breaking His rules. When the enemy attacks, call on the Lord. James 4:7 says, "So humble yourself before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
So, what I am trying to say, is that these rules are still important! So, here we go with the 2nd Commandment! Exodus 20:4 "You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the Heavens or on the earth or in the sea."
So, what does this mean? This ties into the 1st Commandment but broadens the scope. In the 1st Commandment He said no gods, now He is saying no idols. This covers about everything! Every living thing! Every trinket, every trophy, every dream, everything...
Let's start with some questions to ponder... Do you claim to not have time to read your bible? Why? Do you claim to not have enough time to pray? Why? How much time do you spend in your car each day? What do you do with that time? Pray! How much time do you spend watching t.v. every day? Week? a majority of us have a very unhealthy relationship with our t.v.s! In the time you spent watching a 1-hour t.v. show, you could have read your bible for 15 min. prayed for 15 min. and worshipped God for 30 min.!! I fall victim to this too! But this is the clear definition of making our t.v.s an idol. We are putting our "want" of watching t.v. before spending time with our God. Anything that we put before God, we have made into an idol in our lives.
1John 5:21 says, "Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts."
Each one of us needs to seek the Lord and study our hearts. let God reveal what you have put before Him. For some it may be drinking or eating. For some it's gardening! Sounds silly... but if you would rather spend an extra hour pulling weeds, than seeking God, then gardening has become a problem!
Colossians 3:5 says, "So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world."
Let's face it... we all need money to survive! We all have bills!! We all have mouths to feed!! Our lively hoods are important!! But when you already have more than you need and find yourself craving for more.... That is when you cross that ugly line.
That verse also speaks about sexual immorality, impurity, and lust. You can argue this fact all day long. Our entire nation is guilty of this in one way or another. If you have had sex before marriage, or outside of marriage, then you are guilty of this. If you have fantasized about someone in the privacy of your own mind- then you are guilty of this. Having said that- that is putting sex before God. Luckily for us! We have a merciful God! Not only can we ask for forgiveness! But we can ask for His help to do better!
Leviticus 19:4 says, "Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourself. I am the Lord your God."
You can find scripture throughout the New and Old Testament, that support the fact that God is the one and only!! That we are not to put anything else above Him! There is NOTHING and NO ONE more important than God Almighty!
No lucky charm can save your soul! No human can save you soul! No tree or animal or thing that can save your soul!
So, what have you made into an idol? What have you found to be more important that reading your bible and praying? It's time to reprioritize! Don't ya think?
Until next time:
Numbers 6:24-26
24. May the Lord bless you and protect you!
25. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you!
26. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace!
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