Unlike his father who was whole hearted, Solomon compromised for his pagan wives. He ended up building shrines for the pagan idols such as Ashtoreth (a sex goddess), Milcom, Moloch and Chemosh. In fact it is what got God angry. The problem is Solomon should have feared God more than he feared his pagan wives.
Today in the Christian life, going with the wrong crowd can result to severe backsliding like Solomon. Idols do not limit to false gods and worshiping men as God. Somebody can argue that he or she prays to the Lord to help him/her find the car keys but can become guilty of dismissing a prayer meeting to see Piolo Pascual or Sam Milby at the local mall.
There are also other idols. Idols can also mean anything that is put importance above God like other people and material things. In this world, there are many things that can get a Christian distracted.
Here are some of the most common idols today in the Christian's life:
Celebrities- The truth can't be any further. Today some Christians are guilty of giving more importance to celebrities like their TV shows, fashion, etc. more than they ever give a thought on what God wants them. For example, I remembered times when I myself didn't pass assignments because I was busy watching TV and so were a couple of my classmates. What is worse is that some Christians may be more updated with Piolo Pascual or Sam Milby than are they getting mature with the Word of God. The big problem is Christians today are just watching unscriptural films that claim to be based on the Bible like Charleton Heston's "Ten Commandments" and "The Prince of Egypt" by Dreamworks because they don't bother to read the Bible.
Cartoon characters- Sadly some child get saved but spend more time watching Spongebob than are they reading the Word of God thus they remain infants. Give them an exam on Spongebob and they get a high score. Let them however recite even a few verses, maybe the only verse they know is well, maybe just from the salvation plan or something. In fact many children also imitate their favorite cartoon characters too- been there, done that.
Technology- People today can be a slave to technology from video game systems to handheld phones, the list can get longer and longer. Like what? For example I have known somebody who pays more attention to getting the latest cellphone model than on the Word of God. He doesn't even care whether or not his cellphone is still working or not. Technology isn't sinful- it's how it's being used that makes it sinful.
Food- Unfortunately many Christians think their stomach more than they think with their hearts. Besides, that's why fasting becomes a necessary exercise for spiritual maturity. I remembered a time in my life I was already into food idolatry when while in church, all I kept thinking was about the delicious pot of lentils served with roasted lamb that I would eat when I get home.
Harmful substances- These include not only narcotics but also liquor whether hard or soft. It's indeed hypocritical to campaign against harmful drugs and not to campaign against liquor. Why? Alcohol is JUST as harmful as every other harmful substances like marijuana and cocaine. All of them make the person go wild. Sadly some backsliders have gotten drunk and taken drugs to try and forget reality or ignore God's call.
Nightlife centers- How true it is. Pastor Armie Jesalva just likes to mention the truth that there's no such thing as a Bible study in a bikini bar! How can one focus on God with all the sexy ladies on stage and all the fleshly music that's playing? Discos and bikini bars are a serious plague to spiritual growth. They are a place that Billy Sunday would say, "The curse of God Almighty fall upon the night clubs." or as Estus Pirkle would also say, "Disco the front door to adultery." in the sermon "If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do?"
Secular music- Sad to say but it's true. There are Christians who have compromised by listening to the likes of N'Sync, Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys and end up saying that hymns are to be only sung on Sunday as their common nonsense. No wonder why I've heard how Billy Sunday and along others like him saying if need be, the school should not only confiscate these materials but BURN THEM too. The most common is rock and roll music.
Pornography- How true it is indeed. Pornography may be the most common golden calf. If one can remember the golden calf incident in Exodus 32, Moses was sure very ANGRY when he found out he was pleading with God to spare the people from getting killed. Why? When he went down he saw that the people were NAKED and singing noisy music. Today the sex goddess is honored with whatever types of pornography is placed- whether heavy or not, it's still pornography.
And yes there are still others- There are SO PLENTY that it can't be listed. However by the Holy Spirit, a Christian can be alerted of other idols too!
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