Lesson 43: Idolatry:
  • We commit idolatry when we fashion idols in our imagination, worshiping that which we believe will bring us happiness.

  • Paul told the Corinthians to cast down imaginations and bring every thought into obedience to Christ.

  • To flee from idolatry we need to judge every thought and imagination by the word, to determine if our passion for them has overshadowed our passion for God; are they Godly thoughts we have elevated to an improper place of prominence or ungodly delusions.

  • It is the role of your mind, as it has been enlightened by the Spirit and Scripture, to correct your thinking when you begin to worship thoughts of imagined happiness.

  • Idolatry is the belief that happiness can be found in something other than God; when we do this we’re worshiping a false God.

  • Our nature is to put ourselves and desires first and God second; there is no way we can act any different.

  • Pleasing ourselves brings only shallow, temporary gratification; living for God brings deep, long lasting happiness; to live for God we must be in His word and obey his commands.

  • We need to ask Christ to help us, by his Holy Spirit, to put Him first.

  • Christ will help us if we sincerely ask Him to but we also, by a conscious decision of our will, need to seek to be holy and make every effort to put aside our idols.

  • We need to find our total joy and fulfillment in celebrating God’s grace, power, love and control over all things; all other blessings flow from this.