The television show, American Idol, sought to find and promote the next big musical star. A number of other shows attempt to do the same thing. Other reality shows seek the ultimate survivor, amazing racer, or ninja. If that’s not enough promotional hype, there are the reality shows covering the lives of famous or wannabe famous people. Beyond that, of course, is the shameless self promotional social media stars.
You would think that an advanced culture, like our own, would move past setting up idols for worship. Idol worship is the stuff of ancient cultures. Or is it? Not only are we a culture who worship and adore our celebrities, but we have other idols as well. Just look around and you find people with their heads bowed to their cellphone. How much time do we give to these devices and what sacrifices do we make for them? Just this morning, I was taking my morning walk around the neighborhood shopping center, when I stopped to consider our idol of materialism. Within hours hundreds, if not thousands, of people would enter this temple of materialism to sacrifice their money at the altar.
In Acts chapter 17, Paul is alone in the city of Athens. He takes a walk and notices a great number of idols. Verse 16 says, “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.” Not only does idol worship disturb a first century apostle, it should disturb us. God hates idol worship because it causes us to go after evil, anything that doesn’t honor the true God. My heart is stirred when I see people succumb to evil. I don’t get mad at them. Instead I feel bad for them. God has such great things in store for them, if they will only turn to Him.
Reluctant Retiree 