Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  Colossians 3:5 ESV

Idols.  Statues made from gold and metal to represent a person or an animal for people in other countries to worship.  Nothing that generally occurs in the United States and definitely not in my own household.  Right?

When I looked up the word idols in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition I found said that idols were pictures or objects that were worshipped as a god.  It said objects… not statues.  Next I looked up the definition for idolatry.  It is defined as a blind or excessive devotion or admiration to something.  Colossians 3:5 explains it this way, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you; sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”  

So, idolatry really involves any earthly desire or passion that keeps my attention from the Lord.  Idols exist everywhere and can exist in my own home.  Anything that I choose to put excessive devotion or time into can become an idol that affects my personal relationship with Jesus.  And He so desires our time and close relationship.

Jesus explained his feelings on this matter in Exodus 34:14.  He said, “Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

How can I spot the idols in my life?  I ask myself these questions:

• Where do I devote most of my time?  (technology, TV, work, children, spouse)
• Do I take time away from these things to spend time with the Lord?  
• Does my family see my example and the importance of stopping and building a closer relationship with Jesus? 

Jesus wants my life.  He wants every part of it, and often I allow these other things to take over and become idols in His place.  It is time to get rid of the idols and focus on the one and only true living God!

What idols have you allowed to sneak into your life?  Determine an action plan that you can begin today.  Make a schedule to spend time with the Lord.  Turn off the TV, put away the cell phone, don’t respond to an email, or tell the family that you need some time to spend with the Lord.  What's a better way to show someone that you love them than to show them how to grow closer to the Lord.

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me even when I consistently fail You and allow other things to take over my life.  It is You that I truly desire.  Help me to see the areas in my life that I am allowing to become my idols.  Show me how to get rid of these fleshly idols and focus on You and showing Your love to others.  In Jesus' Name I pray.