Say the word “idols” and you will get all kinds of ideas of what people are thinking. Some will think of stone or statue-like idols, like those found in Hindu or Buddhist temples or Catholic churches. And yes, those kinds of idols are a powerful spiritual evil. But it is important to realize that the Bible has a much wider version of what an idol is. 

Important fact: Scripture defines an idol as anything that exercises rule and control over our heart, which God alone should have. Each event, each purchase, each person, each hobby, each daily exercise that is more important to me than God is an idol. It is easy to excuse what I just said by saying, “But it’s just a hobby!” Or “It’s just a game!” or (fill in the blank). God designed all of us to be worshipers. Yes, it is true that “there is a God-shaped vacuum in each of that only God can fill,” but it is also equally true that we struggle maintaining priorities as to who or what will play the dominant role in our lives. Idols are not always evil things, but idolatry always is. Paul David Tripp wrote: “A desire for even a good thing becomes a bad thing when it becomes a ruling thing.” (Everyday Gospel Devotional-June 30-p.228)

Psalm 115 is an interesting psalm. It starts out with “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for unfailing love and faithfulness.”  Okay…good so far. I can grasp that God gets all the glory. But then the psalm takes an interesting turn in verses 3-8. Almost with a sarcastic and mocking tone, he makes sure we know facts about idols:

• Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands.
• They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see.
• They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell.
• They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound.

That is a pretty harsh description of idols that we often worship. Quite the contrast to “O Israel, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield.” (v.9) and “All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield.” (v.11)

The idols of wood, stone, or clay offer us nothing but heartache and emptiness. Satisfaction is found only in the ONE who is full of unfailing love and faithfulness. We all must answer the question: What rules your heart?

{Note: All Scripture from the New Living Translation}