True Worship

Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces.

-- Exodus 23:24 

         

Do you ever wonder if you're worshiping the right god? The answer isn't as obvious as it seems...yet it has eternal consequences.

If you're a Christ-follower, you worship the true God revealed and proven through the Bible. Meanwhile, other religions promote false gods, ancestor worship and even the reverence of nature or living things (worshiping the creation rather than the Creator). Then there are today's popular teachings such as New Age, Scientology and Kabbalah. The list grows longer every day.

Even those who claim to be atheists are actually active worshipers. True, they may not be churchgoers and proclaim Jesus as their Lord and Savior. But they--like everyone--bow down to their favorite idol. Some worship money, luxury and pleasure while others choose intellect and higher learning. Still others kneel at the altar of more negative gods such as alcohol, drugs and illicit relationships.

The saying goes that there's no such thing an atheist on the battlefield. But there's a different type of battle--a spiritual one--that rages within everyone: the God of the Bible versus the world's gods and idols. Our hearts, souls and minds happen to be the prize of this ferocious global war.

Perhaps we don't literally kneel and worship before a golden idol like in Old Testament times. But the fact is that we all secretly (and maybe not-so-secretly) cherish our own personal gods. Think about the things that you worry about or sacrifice your time and money for. What are the issues that make you angry? What brings you the most joy? And here's a revealing question: Whose attention and applause do you most crave?

If the answer to each question doesn't involve God, you're likely worshiping an idol. And idols can be difficult to recognize through the fog of spiritual war. After all, they're experts at camouflage. Even apparently good things aren't always "god things."

As we enter the Christmas season, it's especially important for Christ-followers to remember that the real God--the One revealed through Jesus Christ--doesn't want to share His glory with an imitator or cheap idol. So let's all reflect on the God (or perhaps gods) in our lives...and then choose the One to serve, live for and worship fully.