I Chronicles 14:12
“They abandoned their gods there; so David gave the order and they were burned with fire.”
David is doing God’s will. In Israel there weren’t to be any idols. Exodus 20:4 says, “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.”
This would offend many in our modern culture. But we aren’t to serve culture. The philistines were the aggressors and they invaded Israel. He didn’t invade their country and burn their idols. It was the other way around.
The philistines were forcing themselves and their gods on Israel. They were having no part of it. We aren’t to partake in the worldly ways either. 2 Corinthians 10:4,5 says, “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
Idols represent a philosophy or a way of thinking. Paul in Corinthians says we are to tear down worldly thinking and thoughts. It’s better to know the biblical thoughts and adhere to those than all of the worldly thoughts. Like the bank teller is to be an expert with the authentic than the counterfeit.
How do we know what to tear down? Anything that is contrary to the bible. Just as David was jealous for God in Israel, so we are to be jealous for God in our own minds. The world would seek to shame us into adopting their ways. Our defense isn’t, “I think …”, but “God’s Word says …”. Some may still attack that, but most won’t.
I shared a video with someone and he asked, “Is this saying that other religions are valid?”. My response was John 14:6, ‘Jesus says to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, if not by Me.’ My friend replied, “Good answer.” He was ready to challenge me, but not the bible.
We are on solid ground when on the bible. It’s our rock and foundation. Jesus said in Matthew 7:24, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock.”
We are to be people of the Word. Beyond that we may be flirting with idolatry. We are talking philosophies. I work on cars. Does that mean it’s idolatry because it’s not in the bible? It could be, but probably not if it’s in balance. Are we spending too much money on our hobby? Are we spending too much time on it? If not, we’re good. We can feel God’s pleasure in our hobbies.
By avoiding idols we aren’t just being obedient, but helping ourselves. God is helping us. He is sparing us the grief that comes with idolatry. In ancient days, there was human sacrifice. However, today many sacrifice their children for their ideologies. They aren’t taking their lives, but pointing them in directions that are full of grief.
There is much sadness in ungodliness. Matthew 11:28-30 has Jesus telling us what to take, when we avoid idols, ‘“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”’ His ways are easy and restful.
Lord, thank You for Your Word and that it warns us from many things. You prevent much heartache by keeping us from idols. You give us much rest in Yourself. Thank You.