Last week, Hannah had an assignment to write a short essay about idolatry. Here’s what she wrote. I thought it spoke well on the subject.
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[sws_2_column title=”” rightmargin=”10px”] Idolatry is all over our world today. When most people think of idolatry, they think of pagan people worshiping gold statues and little trinkets. Sure, this is idolatry, but it is not the only kind of idolatry. Phones, clothes, money, electronics- these are are idols in our world today. People may not realize it, but many idolize over these things daily.
This is happening because people are putting things before God. They constantly think about the next new phone or thing coming out, and they have to have it! They put these things on a pedestal above God. They put these things above God either because they don’t know God, or they don’t trust God enough to make Him first in their life.
A lot of things can be done to stop idolatry. First, we need to tell people about God and how He is everything they will ever need. People can’t stop idolizing if they don’t know the One who is above everything in this world. People have to know that they don’t NEED phones and electronics….we only NEED God. While we do need clothes, we have to realize that God provides our clothes, and we don’t have to have the best clothes or put them on a pedestal.[/sws_2_column]
[sws_2_columns_last title=””] God could do anything He wanted with us for idolizing. With the Israelites, He oppressed them and let their enemies take over them. God could do the same thing to the United States if He wanted to. God will judge those who idolize when they die, though. In 1 Corinthians 4:5, Paul talks about how the Lord will reveal the intentions of man’s heart, which means He will reveal idolatry.
I do not think that it is too late to turn back. If people truly turn away from their idols and accept Jesus, I believe they will be forgiven. It will be too late when Jesus comes back though, so people need to hurry up and change their ways. [sws_green_box box_size=”430″]1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. [/sws_green_box] [/sws_2_columns_last]
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Good job, Hannah. We should all be aware of what idols we have in our lives and destroy them. Thanks for the poignant reminder.