Exodus 20 :3 “You shall have no other gods before me."
In today's world athletes are almost "gods". We flock to see these modern day gladiators perform in arenas around the world. No culture is immune . We look up to them , we follow them , we cheer for them and many live vicariously through their love for the team or athlete they follow.In many ways they are the modern day Golden Calf . It is not just athletes of course but the whole entertainment field.
Now sports and following a team is in itself not a bad thing but if it becomes an obsession does it not become an idol in ones heart. When God told the Israelites not to have any gods before Him , it meant anything that would replace worship and devotion to Him . We make sports an idol , the athletes many "gods" . Watch the crazy devotion and religious fanaticism when a team wins a championship or loses. John Calvin said the heart is an idol factory . In rebellion we will replace God with anything . In our sin , in our hatred we want nothing more to replace Him . Many do it with sex,drugs etc... we see these idols as wrong but the most dangerous ones are those that seem right. Family ,your spouse,children and even sports . They all seem decent but these are the ones that Satan would use to blind our eyes.
But God is the business of breaking down idols and replacing them with the truth . The truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ . The one who deserves our devotion,our love and adoration. He gives life , an idol destroys by keeping our eyes and hearts distracted.
I love hockey and the Leafs , don't laugh. At one time they were not the only idol in my life , I followed the rock band Kiss in almost religious fashion . But God has broken those idols and replaced them in my life with Him but it is still a struggle at times not to fall back into old ways. I still love my leafs but I try to keep it in perspective . So do you have idols that need to be broken down? Pray that God will reveal them to you .
Now sports and following a team is in itself not a bad thing but if it becomes an obsession does it not become an idol in ones heart. When God told the Israelites not to have any gods before Him , it meant anything that would replace worship and devotion to Him . We make sports an idol , the athletes many "gods" . Watch the crazy devotion and religious fanaticism when a team wins a championship or loses. John Calvin said the heart is an idol factory . In rebellion we will replace God with anything . In our sin , in our hatred we want nothing more to replace Him . Many do it with sex,drugs etc... we see these idols as wrong but the most dangerous ones are those that seem right. Family ,your spouse,children and even sports . They all seem decent but these are the ones that Satan would use to blind our eyes.
But God is the business of breaking down idols and replacing them with the truth . The truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ . The one who deserves our devotion,our love and adoration. He gives life , an idol destroys by keeping our eyes and hearts distracted.
I love hockey and the Leafs , don't laugh. At one time they were not the only idol in my life , I followed the rock band Kiss in almost religious fashion . But God has broken those idols and replaced them in my life with Him but it is still a struggle at times not to fall back into old ways. I still love my leafs but I try to keep it in perspective . So do you have idols that need to be broken down? Pray that God will reveal them to you .
1 comment:
I remember when we were first married and we lived with your parents. All though I love them dearly, I wouldn't recommend it. Can you imagine people today doing that? Everything has to be in place, career, house, sometimes children and then marriage. Speaking of idols... I do have a piece of advice, if anybody is going that route. Don't get married in November, it's pretty much the start of hockey season. Very bad idea. In your defense, it doesn't help that I'm a morning person and you're a night owl. I need 8 to 9 hours shuteye and you're excited when you get 4. Took a while, but we've managed to work around it. Quite well, I might add. Love you, Mrs Reg
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