I Samuel 7:4
“So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD alone.”
One of the commandments is about not having other gods (Exodus 20:2). Israel struggled with this all throughout their history. It seemed that every generation had to deal with this issue.
It seems obvious to us that there is no god, but the Lord. However we struggle with similar problems. An idol is anything that competes with our devotion to God.
I used to apply the time test. I’ve changed that. I clearly spend most of my time at work. But that doesn’t mean it has my heart. I can still apply a time test, but in a different way. Am I spending time with God? Is it regular and how is the quality?
Is He lord of my schedule? Am I willing to change my plans? Can I be interrupted? How does this fit with, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps”, (Proverbs 16:9). This is true, we do plan ours days, weeks and years. However the Lord will alter circumstances as well change our hearts. However, there are times when He’ll intervene in our plans. It might be a conscience prick, or an interrupting thought. We can’t prove it’s Him,but it’s something to pray about and test.
How can we test to see if an interruption is from the Lord? Pastor Buddy Owens offers this, “Lord, I’m going to do this. If it’s against Your plan, please intervene.” This has been helpful. Another thought is that God is gracious, He won’t condemn us. Some are haunted with guilt. Unless we are in disobedience to the scriptures, that’s not from Him. He also won’t have us do weird things.
Do we invite God into our interests? If not, then it’s an idol. That doesn’t necessarily mean it needs to be removed. A better idea is to let Him in. Pray, “Lord, I want to be in all of my life. Show me how. Help me to be open.”
“Happy is the one whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 144:15). God created us. We were designed to be in relationship with Him, to be guided by Him and to be in tune with Him. A wrench can be used as a hammer, but it could break. It works the best and is preserved when used as designed. To put things ahead of the Lord is going against how we were designed. We will grow anxious, sad or develop unhealthy habits.
Lord, thank You for a life lived in conjunction with You. Help us to put away the idols.