An Idol Mind is a Devil’s Workshop

Disclaimer:  It has taken me several weeks to get my thoughts together and write this post.  From the time I saw the post on Instagram that inspired this to the time I began writing, all I saw were videos on this topic.  It began to flood my brain, making it difficult to process my thoughts in a way that I felt made sense.  So I hope as you read this, it resonates with you.

Toward the end of 2023, I kept coming across the word idol.  I was scrolling Instagram, and a post popped up asking, “Are you making your issues your idol?”  That caused me to pause because I had never looked at an idol in that way.  After stumbling upon that post, the words idol and idolatry appeared to be everywhere.  I knew it was probably something I needed to stop and look into, especially since every teaching I watched talked about idolatry and the effect it has on Christians.  According to a well-known prophetess, idolatry is anything that you love more than your obedience to God.  Wow!!!

So many things came rushing to the forefront of my mind.  I used to associate idols with individuals, but here I was learning something else. I think we all struggle with idolatry whether we want to believe it or not.  Look at how much we are on our phones (idol), on social media (idol), obsess over celebs and influencers (idols) or the latest craze (idol).  But what really got me was how many people even idolize Christianity and the church. I hear many people say they do not attend church because of someone who hurt them that was in the church or because Christians are hypocrites, etc.  Well, I can completely understand being hurt by the church or the people in it and gaining a different, less positive perspective, but if it keeps you away, that could be because you made church (and the people in it) your idol.  Your focus was on them and NOT God. Your expectation of them was perfection, when HE is the only one who is perfect. Remember, people are human. You cannot put more faith in them than you do God.  They will let you down every time! Anywho, I digress from my main point. 

My main point is that we have become a society of idolatry. We we have made even the unlikely of things our idol, including our issues and even our roles.  We are giving them more attention that we do our God.  Every day we dwell on the things that are going wrong, but are we praying though?  Are we looking at the things that are actually going right? Are we studying the Word of God? I ain’t going to lie. I have been guilty of spending more time complaining than I have being grateful.  I have spent more time trying to figure out things on my own strength than I have trusting God.  I have been guilty of idolizing my roles as mother and wife by trying to be so perfect that I didn’t rest in the grace God has given me for those roles. 

It’s like, we are obsessing over things that does more harm to us than good. Or, we are trying to control things that we can’t control so they end up controlling us. That is making issues your idol!  You ever heard the term an idle mind is the devil’s workshop?  Now, I am thinking it’s more like an idol mind is a devil’s workshop.  These things are leading us to destruction whether we realize it or not.  If it isn’t physical destruction, it is mental, emotional, or worse, spiritual destruction!  And we wonder why we are tired, rundown, listless, and pooping out at parties, and need our vitameatavegimens. (I’m serious, but just wanted to lighten it up a little).  Because of the things we are idolizing!

Look at your life, I am sure you can think of one thing that you love more than your obedience to God.  You may say, I love God. He knows my heart.  But seriously, when is the last time you chose Him over something else you love. There have been plenty of times, my goal was to sit down and read my Bible or write in my journal and pray, but I don’t want my kids or my husband to feel neglected so that free time I set aside for myself to do this, gets filled with time with them.  You may think, well that is not so bad. That’s your family.  However, God gave me my family! So, my first priority should be to spend time with Him. After all, He is the one who gives me the strength I need to be the person I am for my family. Get what I am saying?

All I am saying is, be careful not to make things or people you idols. It is one thing to you admire people or be inspired, but it is another to make them your idol.  It one thing to vent about your issues, it is another thing to give them power!! God is all powerful. He is the only one that can give you pure joy, peace, and strength to live the life He graced you for. Not people, not things, not your issues! Get my drift? I hope so!! Be blessed, y’all!