Idolatry

I read an interesting post on indentifying idolatry in your life. It was pointed, direct, and telling. Here is an excerpt:


"Life only has meaning/I only have worth if…

• I have power and influence over others." (Power Idolatry)
  
• I am loved and respected by _____." (Approval Idolatry)
  
• I have this kind of pleasure experience, a particular quality of life." (Comfort idolatry)
  
• I am able to get mastery over my life in the area of _____." (Control idolatry)
  
• people are dependent on me and need me." (Helping Idolatry)
  
• someone is there to protect me and keep me safe." (Dependence idolatry)
  
• I am completely free from obligations or responsibilities to take care of someone." (Independence idolatry)
  
• I am highly productive and getting a lot done." (Work idolatry)
  
• I am being recognized for my accomplishments, and I am excelling in my work." (Achievement idolatry)
  
• I have a certain level of wealth, financial freedom, and very nice possessions." (Materialism idolatry)
  
• I am adhering to my religion's moral codes and accomplished in its activities." (Religion idolatry)
  
• this one person is in my life and happy to be there, and/or happy with me." (Individual person idolatry)
  
• I feel I am totally independent of organized religion and am living by a self-made morality." (Irreligion idolatry)
  
• my race and culture is ascendant and recognized as superior." (Racial/cultural idolatry)
  
• a particular social grouping or professional grouping or other group lets me in." (Inner ring idolatry)
  
• my children and/or my parents are happy and happy with me." (Family idolatry)
  
• Mr. or Ms. "Right" is in love with me." (Relationship Idolatry)
  
• I am hurting, in a problem; only then do I feel worthy of love or able to deal with guilt." (Suffering idolatry)
  
• my political or social cause is making progress and ascending in influence or power." (Ideology idolatry)
  
• I have a particular kind of look or body image." (Image idolatry)
  

The second part of his post was really direct as well!

If you seek POWER (success, winning, influence)…

• Your greatest nightmare: Humiliation
  
• People around you often feel: Used
  
• Your problem emotion: Anger
  

If you seek APPROVAL (affirmation, love, relationships)…

• Your greatest nightmare: Rejection
  
• People around you often feel: Smothered
  
• Your problem emotion: Cowardice
  

If you seek COMFORT (privacy, lack of stress, freedom)…

• Your greatest nightmare: Stress, demands
  
• People around you often feel: Neglected
  
• Your problem emotion: Boredom
  

If you seek CONTROL (self-discipline, certainty, standards)…

• Your greatest nightmare: Uncertainty
  
• People around you often feel: Condemned
  
• Your problem emotion: Worry
  

Here is the LINK if you'd like to read the post it in its entirety: Its a very convivting post! 

Counterfeit Gods

I'm currently reading the book, Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller. In it, he reveals the idols we now worship in our modern society; money, sex, and power. He details, how they, and all idols, enslave us, and how blind we are to them. Here is one candid quote about the signs of political idolatry:

"One of the signs that an object is functioning as an idol is that fear becomes one of the chief characteristics of life. When we center our lives on the idol, we become dependent on it. If our counterfeit god is threatened in any way, our response is complete panic. We do not say, "What a shame, how difficult," but rather "This is the end! There's no hope!"

This may be the reason why so many people now respond the U. S. political trends in such an extreme way. When either party wins an election, a certain percentage of the losing side talks openly about leaving the country. They become agitated and fearful for the future. They have put the kind of hope in their political leaders and policies that once was reserved for God and the work of the gospel. When their political leaders are out of power, they experience a death. They believe that if their policies and people are not in power, everything will fall apart. They refuse to admit how much agreement they actually have with the other party and instead focus on the points of disagreement. The points of contention overshadow everything else, and a poisonous environment is created."

This book is fabulous! I highly recommend it!! To order this book click here.