Idol Worship

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Mike

When believers share the gospel with today’s world, they have to overcome the idols of this generation. Many people today worship money. Some worship personal freedom and express that devotion through substance abuse of various kinds. Others use their personal freedom to exercise their sexual desires. These and many other modern idols can become powerful tools of manipulation for the devil to distract and consume the souls of those who are caught up in their snares. Opening the eyes of these lost souls to the one true God is often a slow, incremental process that takes years and usually many different sources each contributing in some small way. It’s important that we never write anyone off as unsalvageable. It’s important never to miss an opportunity to share God’s love, no matter how resistant the prospect appears to be. Your small effort may be the trigger point that opens the heart of someone who is slowly being pulled toward God.

As the apostle Paul continued his missionary journey spreading the good news about Jesus through Thessalonica and into Athens, many of the Jews and Greeks became believers. However, there were also a number of Jews who were violently opposed to Paul’s teaching. In Athens, where idol worship was common, Paul spent much of his time helping those who would listen understand that God is the Creator of all things and is not in need of human help.

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” Acts 17:24-25 (NIV)

In time, Paul was able to convince many of those idol worshippers to turn away from their idols and trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Paul never gave up. Paul was chased, tortured, harassed, and thrown in prison, but he never stopped preaching Salvation through Jesus Christ. And Paul brought his message to anyone who was willing to listen. He didn’t discriminate or consider anyone too far gone to hear the gospel. Paul was driven to share the good news at every opportunity. It’s important for all believers to be willing to do everything possible to open the eyes of all those who have not yet come to understand how much God loves them.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)

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