I'm going to be teaching on idolatry next week... I have the message together as a skeleton. I have examples of idolatry in the church that I myself struggle with.
Anyone have any examples of "idolatry in the Church"? ...or that you have struggled with personally in your walk?
Krispy
idolatry:
1. the Pastor
2. Position
3. a feeling (chasing after a feeling)
andy
What about our need to be right - to be seen as right?
Diane
I'm usually my own idol.
Greatest Idolatry in any Church is Money. Remember the rich man who kept all the commandments from Childhood. But when Jesus told him to give up his money he could not which means he Idolized money.
I am 28, personally I struggle with Fame, even when I prophesy in Church if I do it to glorify myself instead of Glorifying God, it is a Sin of Idolatry. Am I expecting people to say Amen when I pray, when I prophesy etc? I win this battle by not entertaining the thought, I will not share or prophesy until my thoughts of fame leave me and I am able to cast the crown on his feet.
When someone praises me for any word I shared, I respond saying praise God and then submit it to his feet. All I deserve is hell fire but by his mercy he gave me the word.
Others have mentioned good examples of inward spiritual idolatry. However, there is a good example of outward idolatry in many of our American churches, especially in the South.
The U.S. Flag is a very real idol in such churches, usually fringed in beautiful gold tassles, and topped by the Golden Eagle that dates all the way back to the Roman Empire.
In Churches I have been to, it is invariable set to its own right, in "the place of honor", (according to the United States Flag Code), when it is displayed next to the less honorable and therefore lower-in-rank "Christian Flag" on its left.
One flag represent merely one of the kingdoms of this world. The other supposedly represents the Kingdom of God and of His Christ.
Which is supreme?
Doug
the television (or Hollywood) and all these reality shows has captivated more than our time, they captivated our souls.
when we treat our vehicles better than our spouse, that can be idolatry.
when we constantly seek other's opinions over hitting our knees before the Lord and waiting on Him, is that idolatry?
Someone mentioned the church, working for the church endless hours, is that idolatry?
God bless,
Lisa
Wow... good stuff, guys! Keep 'em coming!
Doug, your was particularly thought provoking.
Krispy
Idolizing the church herself.
Idolizing your ministry.
Calvinism - as observed and practiced in the South.
The preacher - every thing has to be run by him for his approval or disapproval.
Head coverings... (right back atcha...)
Krispy
Cease Fire! Cease Fire!
Now... Play nice!
Ginny and I go way back... dont worry about us.
Krispy
Ok, Steve, here is another one:
Contemporary music! Gotcha back!
Ignoring the scriptures in favor of CONTEXT CONTEXT CONTEXT (doesn't apply to US clearly).
Idolatry is in the heart of man not something he does.
We must give God our hearts everyday.
When we do not trust,love and obey Him from our heart that is the measure our hearts have departed from the Lord.
We are His children and He bought us for a dear price that He would be known in our hearts.
God loves us soooo much !!!
Do we love Him ???
We can break Gods heart.....that is idolatry.
A Hymn by A. B. Simpson about surrendered idols:
Once it was the blessing
\t \t
Once it was the blessing,
Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling,
Now it is His Word;
Once His gift I wanted,
Now, the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing,
Now Himself alone.
All in all forever,
Only Christ I'll sing;
Everything is in Christ,
And Christ is everything.
Once 'twas painful trying,
Now 'tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation,
Now the uttermost;
Once 'twas ceaseless holding,
Now He holds me fast;
Once 'twas constant drifting,
Now my anchor's cast.
Once 'twas busy planning,
Now 'tis trustful prayer;
Once 'twas anxious caring,
Now He has the care;
Once 'twas what I wanted,
Now what Jesus says;
Once 'twas constant asking,
Now 'tis ceaseless praise.
Once it was my working,
His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him,
Now He uses me;
Once the pow'r I wanted,
Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored,
Now for Him alone.
Once I hoped in Jesus,
Now I know He's mine;
Once my lamps were dying,
Now they brightly shine;
Once for death I waited,
Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored
Safe within the veil.
You wrote:
"Ginny and I go way back... dont worry about us.
Krispy"
I know Bro. I was was smiling when I wrote what I did...
Be well you two!
Doug
i think we as human beings (especially in the church) have a tendency to worship God's "gifts" and "blessings" in whatever shape or form more than God Himself turning our "seeking" of God into a means for our own personal end, thus robbing God of the glory that He deserves
"...examples of "idolatry in the Church"..."
1)Free-willism
2)Christmas
3)Family
4)Education
5)"Christian" counseling
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