Today’s Reading:  Isa 2:6–4:6, Luke 1:39–66, Job 1:13–22

Today’s Theme: The Traps of Idolatry or 10 idols to avoid

Today’s theme looks at the traps of idolatry. When we walk in pride, exalt man, our own desire, ideas or work we form idols and bow to them, and then are bound by them.

Don’t fall for the alluring trap of idolatry, worship and trust in God only.

To help us all apply this to our lives the Lord has shown me 10 idols that we need to look out for from today’s reading, they are listed below.

Isaiah 2:6–4:6

Idol 1: Your works

Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made. Isaiah 2:8 (ESV)

The land was filled with idols, idols the people had formed with their own hands.

What things have you made and now idolise? Is it your education, career, sports achievements, your house, your car, your religious works or your family?

God is the creator and expects us to use our hands to work and make things but He does not expect us to substitute Him for the things He gave us the wisdom to make.

We thank God for the gifts He has given us, we must not forget the creator and worship the creation or anything man made. Romans 1:25.

The works of our hands cannot save us. Idols always hold out a false promise albeit in our own minds as an idol is nothing. It has no mind or will or power only God can help us, only God should be trusted and only God deserves our worship and allegiance.

You cannot make God, God alone is God, cast down the idol of your own works today.

Idol 2: Pride

For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low; Isaiah 2:12 (ESV)

Pride both creates idols and is an idol itself. God declares that He will cast down all pride, God will judge pride and bring it down.

The Hebrew root word for proud in this verse is “arrogance”.

To help us identify and avoid the trap of pride here are some working definitions (taken from the bible sense lexicon):

• Unreasonable and inordinate self-esteem.
• A person characterised by arrogance.
• Undue feelings of self-respect or pleasure in something by which self-worth is measured.

Pride can be a tricky idol, this is why we need to ask the Holy Spirit to watch over our hearts and why we need each other. It is possible to walk in pride without realising, this is why we need God’s help and need to live with a humble attitude.

Pride is such a large area of sin that it is one of sin’s three major type groupings which affect all in the world mentioned in 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

Don’t make pride your god, God alone is God, cast down the idol of pride and arrogance today.

Idol 3: Men

And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. Isaiah 2:17 (ESV)

It is possible to lift a mere person up to the status of a false god or idol in our lives.

The obvious “idols of men” will be famous people like movie stars, musicians, authors, speakers, preachers and leaders. We need to watch our hearts with those we are fans of or look up to that they do not become idols.

There is nothing wrong with looking up to, respecting or holding someone in honour. In fact we should do this with our parents, elders and pastors for example but must stop short of idolatry, looking up to God above them all.

The less obvious “idols of men” can be our children, spouses or some other positive person in our lives who we look up to or worship in place of and above God.

Jesus dealt with this in Matthew 10:37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

Don’t make people your god, God alone is God, cast down the idol of men and family today.

Idol 4: Arrogance

For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves. Isaiah 3:9 (ESV)

There was arrogance in Israel, they boldly and happily proclaimed their sin like Sodom.

We live in a world where sin is paraded and championed. We have seen this most recently in the cultural upheaval and sexual revolution happening on both sides of the Atlantic where gay marriage, transgender and abortion advocates have made pride in sin their mantra i.e. Gay Pride.

Arrogance in sin must not be an idol in our lives. We must not burn our conscience. Arrogant and open sin makes the sin and apparent right to commit the sin the idol.

This 4th of our 10 idols is one of the worst. If you are in the grip of the evil one, taking pride in your sin you desperately need God to save you through His son Jesus Christ.

Remember the warning of 1 Timothy 4:1–2 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared”.

Don’t make sin your god, God alone is God, cast down the idol of arrogance and rebellion today.

Idol 5: Injustice

As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths.” Isaiah 3:12 (ESV)

God calls his people to be champions of justice. God desires that men, women and children flourish in the world that he has made.

The idol we observe here is injustice, this is an idol we erect and worship through a sin of omission (not doing something we should do) rather than a sin of commission.

Our western culture teaches us to look out for number 1 and to pursue a comfortable life. It also pushes aggressive egalitarianism which would see inexperienced children ruling over us and women usurping authority over men.

This is a picture of a broken and cursed society. Our society is like this in ways today, we have been called to be lights in this world. Matthew 5:14.

Do not erect an idol of injustice through not pursuing justice. Speak up for the speechless, the oppressed, the poor and forgotten in Jesus name.

Don’t make injustice your idol, God alone is God, cast down the idol of injustice and indifference today.

Idol 6: Lust

therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will lay bare their secret parts. Isaiah 3:17 (ESV)

Our world is becoming more and more sexualised.

Sex is the biggest idol in today’s world.

We must not make sexual pleasure our god. We should not cherish sexual lust or hold it close, if we do we will be burned.

Concerning lust the proverbs warn us in Proverbs 6:27–28 “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?”.

Sexual lust wars against the soul. God has created sex to be enjoyed in the honour and security of marriage between one man and one woman only.

Beware if sex is your god, God will judge the idol and the judgement will bring you shame, for example; a child out of marriage, a sexual disease, being found out etc.

Parents protect and educate your children so they avoid the aggressive sexualisation of the culture around them.

Don’t make sexual lust your idol, God alone is God, cast down the idol of sex and lust today.

Idol 7: Self

And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach.” Isaiah 4:1 (ESV)

The exhalation of self is the idol that strikes us closest.

Our world has pushed many women into a very difficult position through women’s liberation, extreme egalitarianism and libertarianism. Our world teaches women to pursue careers and self above the God given desire to be married and rear children.

A woman can be so desperate to pursue her career that she will stretch herself to provide for herself as long as she can have a child and a partner like the women in this verse.

This toxic mixture has fostered many unhealthy relationships where partnerships are entirely practical while each member pursues their own self centred agenda. This eventually destroys the individuals and hurts the children.

This is an example of the idol of self. The effect of self exaltation is a confrontation with the Self Sufficient One, God… you know who will win.

Don’t make self your god, God alone is God, cast down the idol of self and self exaltation today.

Luke 1:39–66

Idol 8: Mary

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45 (ESV)

Now we look at a specific idol that has oppressed generations of faithful Roman Catholics, Mary.

This is so sad because Mary is a hero of the word. She exhibited great faith and trust in God and she was called blessed in scripture because God chose her and she responded in submission and obedience.

She is called blessed because of her faith in the word of God.

In her song of praise Mary magnifies the Lord, she did not see herself as an idol or god.

Let’s appeal to Catholics everywhere to follow Mary’s example from scripture, which was to worship God alone, to put faith in His word and submit to Him.

Pray today that the idol worship of Mary in the Roman Catholic church would be cast down and Catholics would worship God alone.

Idol 9: Tradition

but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” Luke 1:60 (ESV)

Elizabeth boldly stood against the traditions of her people which we will see throughout the New Testament has become an idol.

We must not allow traditions of man to become idols that we worship especially in our families and in the church.

We must not put our trust in traditions but God alone.

The truth of God’s word trumps every tradition.

Don’t make tradition your god, God alone is God, cast down the idol of tradition and religion today.

Job 1:13–22

Idol 10: Things

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:20–21 (ESV)

Every physical thing that Job had was wiped out in one day, but these things were not idols to Job so he worships the Lord in response to losing them.

Materialism is everywhere in our world. Materialism teaches us to make idols of things.

We should not make the things we possess idols, we should not let them possess us.

Let’s join Job in his worshipful perspective. His heart was consumed by God and not his riches, that is the only way he could respond like this. His very response is the opposite of materialism. What would our response be?

Don’t make things your idol, God alone is God, cast down the idol of things and materialism today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Luke 1

Today’s Reading:  Isa 1:1–2:5, Luke 1:1–38, Job 1:1–12

Today’s Theme: Rebellion, Repentance and Restoration

Today it’s all about change. We are starting three new books, and it is the first day of the 8th month – new beginnings.

Today’s themes are rebellion, repentance and restoration. We look at the foolishness and danger of rebellion, the required response of repentance in consciously turning from rebellion and the resulting restoration.

The pattern is Rebellion > Repentance > Restoration

Isaiah 1:1–2:5

Rebellion, biting the hand that feeds you

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Isaiah 1:2–3 (ESV)

God addresses Israel as His own child and declares that they have rebelled against Him, their Father. This was true of the nation at the time.

When the Hebrews refer to God as Father, they are pointing to His nurturing and rearing of them, this makes rebellion against their caring Father, even more striking and unnatural.

The reference to the dumb ox and donkey knowing the master that feeds them, puts this all into context. Rebellion is sin’s unnatural response to the one who cares for us.

We need to examine our hearts today, God provides for us so much and it is madness that we turn against Him in rebellion.

James 1:17 reads “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Ask the Lord today, to help your eyes to be open to all that He does and provides for us, so that we will not walk in the madness of rebellion.

God’s remnant

If the LORD of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah. Isaiah 1:9 (ESV)

In the midst of rebellion and apostasy, God has always had a people. This was true in Israel. Just being Hebrew did not mean someone was saved. The remnant who do not walk in rebellion, but repent of their shortcomings and wholly follow the Lord, are the ones that are saved.

The remnant are not just better people, they are God’s elect people, set aside for His purposes. If God does not keep a remnant of people in the earth, we would all go the way of Sodom and Gomorra in rebellious sin.

Ephesians 5:8 reminds us “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”.

Thank God that He has made you a part of His remnant in the earth, not just a church goer. However be mindful that you have work to do and need to take responsibility, as we will see later in the chapter.

There is no profit in religiousness

Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Isaiah 1:13 (ESV)

God was fed up with empty religion and hypocritical prayers.

Some teach that if godly principles are followed, an unsaved man can benefit, but this is not true. It is a type of Karma teaching, found in new age movements like “The Secret”, which talks about the law of attraction.

For example, a wicked, wilfully sinful, unsaved man who pays tithes, should not expect to “be blessed” because he “followed the principle”.

Religion aside from a living relationship with God is of NO profit. God is not obligated by so called spiritual laws. God is a person and must be related to as a person, not a thing or force.

God is relational and created us to enjoy relationship with Him, so religious observance, no matter how strict, is of NO profit, aside from a relationship with God through His Son Jesus.

Religious observance cannot and will not save you. Going to church, reading the bible, praying, fasting, tithing, going on a pilgrimage, keeping feasts and having communion, will not save you or commend you to God.

We must repent of our wickedness and pursue a living relationship with God our Father, then the religious works all find their proper place and context.

Be honest, argue it out

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)

In the preceding verse, the children of Israel are called upon by God, to actively repent of their sin, to consciously turn from doing evil to doing good.

The call to repentance is the same for us today, God cannot repent for you, only you can repent (turn away) from your sin, so repent.

Here we see God’s appeal to His people, He calls them to come and reason with Him, with the aim that their sins will be covered and they will be restored.

The word ‘reason’ here, has the sense of arguing it out in the original Hebrew. God calls us to be honest with where we are, come before His word openly to argue it out, say what we feel, listen to what God says in His word, listen to the consequences of each position, and make a decision.

We need to come and talk with, relate to and reason with God’s revealed word, to cultivate a good and honest relationship with Him. As a result, we are delivered from sin and its consequences and are restored.

So come, honestly talk to God about it and allow His word to talk back to you.

The ultimate restoration

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Isaiah 2:4 (ESV)

The restoration that comes through repentance finds its ultimate consummation in the restoration of all things, which will happen at the second coming of the Messiah, Jesus.

This is a great prophetic hope that one day, Jesus will judge and rule over all people and war will be no more.

Until all people come and learn of God and submit to His ways, as mentioned in the previous verses, there can be no lasting peace.

We look forward as we walk in repentance daily, to the peace and restoration that will come in the Kingdom of God, under Jesus as the King.

Luke 1:1–38

You can be certain

that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Luke 1:4 (ESV)

God’s word is certain, reliable and trustworthy. We will be reading Luke’s account until the end of the month. It is worth noting that Luke was a skilled historian who was able to compile accounts from eyewitnesses and record them in one coherent story.

Luke was led by the Holy Spirit, to make his account of the events of the life of Jesus and the early church, so we could be sure about what happened and was said, so our faith would be firm.

You can be certain about the biblical record today and can look into its message to find life.

John the restorer

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1:16–17 (ESV)

John was prophesied about in the old testament (Malachi 3:1), and now Gabriel tells his father that John will lead Israel in repentance to God, resulting in restoration, in preparation for Jesus.

Our call is similar to John’s, we should also call people to repentance, that they would turn to God. We often think of this for the world, but repentance in context, is really for God’s own people. An unsaved man has nothing to turn back to.

We should spur one another on to walk in repentance, to keep realigning ourselves with God.

When we call brothers in the church or a sinner in the world to repentance, it will lead to restoration of the relationship God intends us to have with Him and each other.

Jesus, the Son of God

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. Luke 1:35 (ESV)

Meditate on this breathtaking truth today!

This is the cornerstone of our faith, Jesus was incarnated, He came into the world through a chosen virgin from the house of David, named Mary. Jesus is the Son of God.

If we do not believe in the virgin birth, we are not Christians.

It is worth noting that the first imperative of Jesus’ public ministry was ‘repent’.

It is also worth noting Mary’s response. She was humble and submissive to the will of God, so should we be. We do not worship Mary but we do acknowledge that God specially chose her, as a Jewish virgin, to bring the incarnated Messiah, Jesus, the God-Man into the world.

Job 1:1–12

Job, one who repents

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. Job 1:1 (ESV)

Job was one who turned away from evil and walked in repentance. We should be like him, we should hate sin and turn away from it.

God, Sovereign over the enemy

And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:12 (ESV)

We see that God is sovereign even over Satan.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Luke 1