Idols

We have them

As Christians we don’t want to

but we can and we do and we can not even know it

Could this be another reason Christ said

Luke 23:34

Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.

We are careful of the more overt idols like money &  material possessions and so on but I uncovered one in my own heart.

FEAR of what other people think!

Fear as an Idol ….OH yes!

Here is how God broke it down in me

I was praying and I heard

(God) Do you trust me?   (Me) Yes, Lord

(God) Then why do you fear?

(Me)………..silence

(God) Do you make what you think others will think your idol?

(Me)…..silence

So I looked up Idol — person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, devotion. An object of worship

Then I looked at the etymology , the root meaning of the word -Idol – and that is where a light clicked on in my heart. The word in Greek means : Appearance in a mirror or water, a reflection

And with that God said to me:  You are made in the image of God and  renewed in the likeness  of Christ. You are to have the appearance and reflection of Christ in this world. If you make what you fear that others are thinking about you,  your idol, you take on that likeness. You reflect what you turn toward.

Psalm 135:15-18

The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
They have ears, but cannot hear,
nor is there breath in their mouths.
Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.

By now my research radar mode has turned on and I feel like my insides are yelling at me in the words of #5 from the movie Short Circuit — MORE INPUT!

“That which we most fear, we worship as our God. For fear is an act of worship. He who fears, worships that which is feared—which is unquestionable when his fear is transcendent. The whole worship of God is frequently in Scripture expressed by this one word “fear” (Mat. 4:10; Duet.. 6:13); and the Lord demands this worship, this fear, as due to Him alone (Isa 50:12, 19). That is our god which is our fear and dread (Luke 12:4, 5). If you fear others more than Him, you give that worship to them which is due only to God—and this is plain idolatry.”
–David Clarkson

I open my bible and search out verses about the fear of the Lord and I find this:

Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.

FEAR             +         TRUST

(worship)              (help,confidence)

When it comes to trust …..

People say things like:

Its takes years to build trust but seconds to destroy it.

Trust is like paper, once it is crumpled it cant be perfect again.

and we think things like:

I trust to easily ( thinking we need to be cautious)

I don’t trust enough ( thinking there is something wrong with me)

I can trust my friend ( hoping for a safe place for me)

I cant believe they did that I cant trust them anymore. ( defensive)

You have to earn my trust ( work for your right to me )

I don’t trust anyone ( been hurt and not willing to be open)

—-and all these are focused on other people but no where in the bible does it say to trust your brothers and sisters in Christ. It says to BEAR with each others weaknesses. It says to forgive one another. But for trust ….it say to PUT your TRUST in GOD.

The bible talks about people being trustworthy and only one place does it tell us WHO is trustworthy :

Exodus 18:21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Men who fear God is the only requirement for trustworthiness…

Not pleasing people

Not doing a good job

Not being there for  you

Not the absence of pain

Not enjoyment of company

Perhaps the expectation to HAVE trust from people and to BE trusted by someone creates a twisted idea of trust.

The bible says:

Jeremiah 17:5 This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Isaiah 2:22 Stop trusting in mere humans,
who have but a breath in their nostrils.
Why hold them in esteem?

Trusting IN people will bring shame and confusion…

Is 30:3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.

when the people thought that Pharaoh could protect them and keep them safe …and isn’t that why we want someone to trust – because we are looking for a safe place to be who we are and to be protected and cared for….misplaced trust bring shame because this Trust is for God alone who can provide and protect.

When I have trusted and been let down I think

“God, I am so stupid why did I trust them? <—–SHAME!

It also brings confusion the breeding ground of the enemy to bring – Fear of what people think – because we don’t want to break that “human trust” and BAM a heart idol is born.

You can not serve two Gods it makes you a double minded man <—Confusion!

Lord I confess that I have set myself up an idol

I have created my own golden calf , my sacred cow

called FEAR of what other people think

that has become a breeding ground covering me with shame

and heaping misunderstanding and confusion

on my head and in the  relationships

you have connected me too.

I repent God! I ask your forgiveness.

Lord create in me a new heart, cleanse me

I turn my TRUST to you and not man.

You Lord are my safety and my protection!

Amen

 

~Starla

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