“What is it that preoccupies your mind? That is your religion.” My pastor preached a sermon on Sunday that distinguished between being fleshly-minded and spiritually-minded. On the one hand, because we are created in God’s image, aware of His existence, whether we admit it or not, we are naturally spiritually-minded beings. But on the other hand, because of our sin nature, our natural tendency is to focus on the things of this physical world. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the area of cultural idolatry. Idolatry takes an almost infinite number of different forms, depending on the person and his or her surroundings, but the Christian definition of idolatry means allowing anything or anyone other than God to receive our highest admiration and worship.

In his book entitled, Making Faith Magnetic, Daniel Strange identifies “magnetic points” that unite every human in five deep longings. And while cultural idols attempt to fulfill these five longings, our Heavenly Father is the only One who can truly satisfy our hearts forever. Let’s take a look both at how the idols of our hearts come seemingly close to fulfilling our deepest desires and how they fall despairingly short…

First, how does cultural idolatry attempt to provide “a way to connect?” We all long for connection and community with others—this is how we have been designed. And just about every form that an idol can possibly take provides a sense of community and therefore connection. Particularly if you have been hurt by people, making one person you feel you can still trust into an idol is easy to do. Furthermore, spending all of your time and energy on one relationship often makes one person the most important being in your life: an idol. In another way, if a group of people share the same idol, they can easily find a community, even if the idol itself has nothing to do with relationships. Consider the LGBTQ community (that promotes sexuality as an idol), “alcoholics anonymous,” or a rehab center. Even friends obsessed with the same TV show or celebrity find community because of their common priorities. Though such communities can be positive, the common object of the bond can be detrimental to each individual heart.

Second, how does cultural idolatry attempt to provide “a way to live?” It is often claimed that how a man spends his time and/or money reveals much about the type of person he is and therefore his priorities. Ironically, time and money are two things of which we can never have enough until we have too much. If a man makes a relationship into an idol, his money is spent on gifts and his time is spent with that other person. If a girl makes her appearance into an idol, she spends her money on clothes and her time “primping.” For a time, living for that person or that “look” might feel like enough. But making another human being or even an ideal version of yourself your ultimate reason for living will ultimately leave you empty. 

Third, how does cultural idolatry attempt to provide “a way out?” The answer to this question again depends on the idol, but allow me to provide a few examples. If we return to the scenario in which one person and/or relationship becomes an idol, one believes he/she has escaped unacceptance or at least loneliness. If a girl spends all of her time and money on her physical appearance, she believes she is actively escaping assumed “unattractiveness.” If a man makes money into an idol, he naively believes he and his family can escape insecurity or the “wanting” of any material gain. Of course, in the end, the one person we trusted will fail us, someone more attractive will always walk by, and we will always want that newer car or that bigger house.

Fourth, how does cultural idolatry attempt to provide “a way to control?” Why do we trust the people we do? Because they have proven their trustworthiness. We have seen it. Why do we think being more attractive, having more money, or gaining more power will satisfy us? Because we see what others have and trick ourselves into thinking they have something better than what we have. We can’t see God. He is out of our control. Everything that He chooses to do is out of our control. Idols can give us a false sense of control. To an extent, we can control our relationships through initiative, time, and effort. We have some control over our appearance through healthy eating, exercise, and even the clothes we buy. We have some control over our time and money by working less or working more, by being lazy or being diligent. But we cannot control God or His plan for our lives. When we choose Him, we choose to live by faith and surrender complete control to Him.

Finally, how does cultural idolatry attempt to provide “a way beyond?” Humans were created to worship, but we cannot serve two masters (English Standard Version, Matt. 6:24). We all will inevitably worship someone or something, whether it be God or an unworthy substitute. This is because we were created for something greater than ourselves, something beyond ourselves. Either the worship of God (properly) or idolatry (improperly) will inspire us to live for something beyond ourselves.

A wise teacher of mine once said that hard things should never devastate us; rather, they should merely disappoint. When something here on earth is allowed enough power over us to devastate, idols are revealed. The concept seemed a little harsh when I first heard my teacher’s words. If I were to lose someone close to me in a tragic accident, I think I would be devastated. Even if I myself were to lose my sight or the use of my legs, wouldn’t I be devastated? But a synonym for the word “devastation” is “destruction.” Even the most difficult circumstances imaginable should never be able to completely destroy a believer in Jesus Christ.

I guess what I am trying to express is the way to recognize idols in your life and the danger of allowing them to exist in your heart. God’s first commandment is to worship Him alone (Ex. 20; Matt. 22:37-38), not because He is arrogant or vain. God knows that He is the only One worthy of our worship. And more than that, He knows that anything else we could possibly find in which to place our hope will ultimately disappoint. He loves us enough to desire that we might experience lasting peace and joy in Him.