Can anything or anyone become an idol in our life if we allow it to? If the answer is yes does this include, husbands, children, moms, dads, brothers and sisters...ect? Is it possible to have our own families become an idol in our lives and hearts?
seeking to understand this topic better
rdg
Luk 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
I find it interesting that husband is never mentioned here...I heard my "pastor" bring that up one day..and I have never even noticed or thought about it before.
What do you think your pastor was trying to tell you? Did you ask him later what he meant by that?
Mike
Oh, definitely. An idol affects how we think - what we do and can take GOD's place for decisions made.
Jesus mentions how this can impact us in the days that these folks turn against Christians and what would happen if we put our affections toward them above our love for GOD.
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
The 'hate' here is, Love Less in comparison.
I guess we could say that an idol is something that we love that would threaten our love for Christ.
Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Blessings Sis!
"What do you think your pastor was trying to tell you? Did you ask him later what he meant by that?"
No I never did ask him..Perhaps I should have. :)
But is it possible for a husband to truly be the head of a home if the woman is busy "hating or loving less" their husbands?? Does this not contradict the role of the husband leading?
I am not married, I would like to hear the thoughts of others..
Although there is this Scripture Act 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
What your thoughts mikey?
QUOTE:
///Luk 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
I find it interesting that husband is never mentioned here...I heard my "pastor" bring that up one day..and I have never even noticed or thought about it before.///
The husband's not mentioned because Christ was talking to the men. A man can have a father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, but not a husband. I believe that if you read wherever He spoke, it was primarily to the men, although it is also meant for women. Just study it out; you might be surprised.
Since it was, that Jesus said, 'If any man..', then how could he mention husband?
Yes, I know now it's topsy turvy now, but then it wasn't then.
Jesus also mentioned '...his own life...'. So, our own life could be an idol.
Much to ponder.
The head of a home does not mean the same thing as Jesus being the Head of every man.
Jesus won't share our hearts with any idols. Period!
Sin is very deceptive and we are capable of making idols of anything and anyone.
savedtoserve saw the simple context of it. He was talking to men.
I would ask your pastor what he meant.
Mike
Anything that you put before the Lordship and obedience to JESUS of Nazareth in a manifest Way.
Narcissism, MY accomplishments, MY ministry, MY looks, Our children, possessions on and on .
"Whosoever LOSES His life; SHALL FIND IT!" The idols emanating from ourselves go when we go....become crucified...[ It's a daily thing...]
AMBITION is the twin sister of Pride.
"If any man come after me, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF!....Pick up his cross..[ death..]......amd Follow Me! This is a life without idols.....honoring the only one worthy of it...
27. "Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28. And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first."
This is Jesus addressing the idol issue.
Right now in Texas Oh how we long for a rainy day........ girl. Anything! Anything! and Anything can classify as an idol if it draws us away from our relationship with our precious Lord and Savior. Recognizing this daily as you know is a most important part of our every day introspection, walk, and crucifixion.
The husband to be head of the wife and the wife submissive. A great daily undertaking for both as we strive with the flesh and the influences around us. The vast majority of influences being detrimental to this purpose. Unless a man leads, being first led by God and being accountable to Him alone, he will falter in this God designed leadership role. So too a woman that is not first accountable to God and not just being accountable in theory, will also falter. The design is two joining league as one. Complimenting each other so that they both grow together in the Lord in every way. A most challenging task. I have not crossed paths with many who feel comfortable giving testimony of such a God ordained ministry in their lives. Two walking together having first agreed that God would be first and foremost in their lives (their accountability). From that, God equips them to be (a) witness to this God glorifying hands on teaching union that He has instituted.
To RDG,
Sister the short answer is yes. Anything we do not allow Jesus to have supremacy in becomse an idol. This is particularly true in families. Even Christian families. Because of the breakdown in the Americn family churches have given to what is becoming an unhealthy preocrupation with the Christian family. We see this borne out in the building of family centers and teaching geared for families. Example would be sermons and conferences on how to be a better father or mother, how to raise your children, etc. I need not say thr message the family orientation sends to singles. But then that is another thread.
Observers have warned that this preoccupation with the Christian family can be unhealthy and become an idol. One thing I have noticed as I read about persecuted Christians, they lay their families on the altar. There is aleays the possibility that the persecuted can lose their loved ones to prison and even martyrdom. Something the American church may need to learn.
My sister I apologize for this lengthy answer. I hope these thoughts are of some value.
In Christ,
Blaine Scogin
Ok since all seem to agree that we can make an idol out of our family members, where does that leave us when dealing with those who have done this very thing? How should one council or receive council on this issue. If for example a wife has made an idol of her family, children and husband, putting them first and sees this how should she proceed? What about family members who expect because you are related to them to come first, how do you deal with them?
Martyr: I too have read some teaching on this very topic of putting the family in such a high and esteemed place that it does in fact make it an idol in ones life. Not sure though when one draws the line??
rdg
Michelle,
Sister I cannot say why Jesus does not mention husband in that passage. Until you posted it I never noticed. I aleays inferred that the implication is Christ is to be loved above all family. It may be, as one poster said, Jesus is talking primarily to males. But then you made an excellent observation of the husband being the head of the wife. Must give some more thought on your question.
I an reminded 1 Cor.7 :32-35 where Paul says that those who are single can serve the Lord with undistracted devotion. Thus the passage you mention can be more readily applied to a single person. I am sure the marrieds will dispute ne on this.
Sister will give more thought and prayer on your question. Hope I am not running off some vain chatter.
Submitted in Christ,
Blaine
"Unless a man leads, being first led by God and being accountable to Him alone, he will falter in this God designed leadership role. So too a woman that is not first accountable to God and not just being accountable in theory, will also falter. The design is two joining league as one. Complimenting each other so that they both grow together in the Lord in every way. A most challenging task. I have not crossed paths with many who feel comfortable giving testimony of such a God ordained ministry in their lives. Two walking together having first agreed that God would be first and foremost in their lives (their accountability). From that, God equips them to be (a) witness to this God glorifying hands on teaching union that He has instituted."
Well said, a concept I would understand to be Biblical.
ginnyrose
Martyr wrote..
"Sister I cannot say why Jesus does not mention husband in that passage. Until you posted it I never noticed. I aleays inferred that the implication is Christ is to be loved above all family. It may be, as one poster said, Jesus is talking primarily to males. But then you made an excellent observation of the husband being the head of the wife. Must give some more thought on your question.
I an reminded 1 Cor.7 :32-35 where Paul says that those who are single can serve the Lord with undistracted devotion. Thus the passage you mention can be more readily applied to a single person. I am sure the marrieds will dispute ne on this.
Sister will give more thought and prayer on your question. Hope I am not running off some vain chatter."
Thank you brother for you willingness to try to hear what I was trying to communicate!
I am not saying there isn't a time to stand up for the truth. For instance, if Sapphira would have "contended for the faith" she would not have gone down with her husband.
HOWEVER, I found in my own life, I am always "contending for the faith" but what does that mean?? IS that mean be a self-righteous Pharisee or does contending for the faith also involve the 2nd Commandment (Mk 12:31) and 1 corinthians 13. Is this not the faith also? Why do we not suffer need and/wrong? If I ever get married and my husband is unbelieving I would like to save Him, not push Him away because of my self-righteous indignation. Just a thought..:)
But like I said I am not married..so what do I know?
I have pushed brethren away because of self-righteousness though. I am sure of that!
Btw I did not think your chatter was in vain!
I find it interesting that husband is never mentioned here.
It’s a great question, though. Idolizing our husbands is an insidious plague, and can make us a terrible nag. It doesn’t help that we have been taught that Christian husbands are supposed to be this and this and this (standards that few men achieve).
If for example a wife has made an idol of her family, children and husband, putting them first … how do you deal with them?
Oh, how easy it is to pry at the speck in another’s eye, and not realize that our vision is distorted by the log in our own eye.
It can be very difficult to see when something has become collective idolatry – like perhaps our nation, our money, our church, coffee , and most of all, our need to be right.
I may sound “preachy” here, but, really I am describing my own story. Idolatry is a constant struggle for me, that can only be smashed through the growth of love for God (first commandment).
Diane
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/myvideo/photo.php?lid=2638
Listening to this now and it is really clear and good. I pray it may have an answer or so to this thread. If not, forgive me but you will be blessed no matter. For men & women. God continue to reveal Truth. Amen
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