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Is modern idolatry real?
It’s a pressing reminder that people should not worship another God. It’s basic logic as Christians to not believe in any other than the creator Himself. Written across different verses, idolatry in the Bible is a grave sin. In fact, it’s considered as the root of all evil, the sin seeking to steal His glory.
While crucial as it is, idolatry can be considered a bygone. It was a sin at a time when people were still naïve and ignorant of religion. But in today’s society, this should be less of a problem.
What Is Idolatry in Christianity?
In its most basic definition, idolatry is the act of worshipping someone other than God as though they were God. When one comes across this concept, the primary thought involves praying to another divine being and referring to this as their God. It’s a gross and overt blasphemy toward the creator, an explicit act that is ultimately targeted to tarnish His existence.
However, in today’s world, when people are very aware of religion and its moral implications, idolatry shouldn’t be the bane of Christianity. People should already know who God is, what He stands for, and the message He wishes to convey. They know to devote their time and faith so that idolatry might be less of a disturbance—only it isn’t.
Idolatry in the Bible may be conspicuous.
But modern idolatry is elusive.
What Is Modern Idolatry?
Lauralee Lindholm’s Out of Darkness Into Light is a book about Orthodox Christianity in the Ethiopian highlands. The author uncovers the reality people had to endure living in a community she describes as being held by evil spirits. Nobody trusted anybody, as everyone lived in a solitary mindset—me vs. others, myself above anyone else.
No physical threat was ever apparent. The only danger these individuals faced was their spiritual battle, a weakening of faith as they had to live with practicality above anything else.
Given the possibility of a famine was trailing close to the community, everyone had to secure and protect their resources. But perhaps they were too focused on survival to forego celebrating each other and cultivating their faith.
This is a prime example of modern idolatry.
The author mentions how such a scene was, in a sense, a recollection of the event from the book of Acts. In the Bible, this book primarily tackles the good news of God’s Kingdom and the threat and misinformation that came with it.
After all, with good news like this, many would want to share its glory. Lauralee details this in her book by narrating a discussion she’s had with a priest. They talked about how it becomes easier for the forces of Satan to knock people down their faith if they pay more attention to other aspects of life. This distracts them from their belief in Jesus.
However, things are easier said than done in life.
How Can People Avoid Falling Victim?
Survival is a priority. Hence, various matters will require people’s attention.
In between necessities and desires, their minds will have to juggle and satisfy different essentials to live a happy life. When this practice can attract evil forces, what must people do to keep them out?
This is precisely why modern idolatry is elusive. It doesn’t need people praying to false Gods to manifest. Instead, all it requires is for people to divert most of their time and attention elsewhere; they fail to nurture their connection with God. Whatever they treasure more than Him becomes an idol, restricting their spiritual growth.
Modern idolatry doesn’t excuse anything. Whether these matters are essential or not, if they take God’s place as the most crucial focus in people’s lives, they can become the root of sins.
How does one avoid this?
Rest in God’s Design
One way to avoid being victimized by modern idolatry is to use things according to God’s design, which means that whatever He placed on earth is for humanity’s good and not their ruin.
Nobody should seek material things to satisfy their hearts; only He can do that. If people begin to desire these matters just to feel happy and content uncontrollably, then the problem starts. They have placed so much value on things that they’ve become dependent on them. This shouldn’t be the case. If they feel empty and dissatisfied with life, they should only seek God to satisfy their hunger. He should still be at the center of people’s hearts.
Remember Death
This can sound unpleasant. The very concept of death is something most people avoid considering. However, to find contentment in things, people must remind themselves of the end.
Death levels the earth. It puts the proper perspective on people and how they must view life. In remembering how temporary life is, things that can take their focus away from God become reduced to nothing but vanity. They learn to see these mundane matters – earthly and unable to supply people’s desires and needs.
Life demands to be enjoyed. But this enjoyment shouldn’t take an ounce of people’s faith and focus from religion. They must find happiness in things while protecting themselves from the consequences of what modern idolatry might bring.
If you want to read more about how life is under this threat and what can be done to protect oneself, grab a copy of Out of Darkness Into Light by Lauralee Lindholm.
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