Sometimes good things go horribly wrong. An example is a domesticated wild animal that suddenly turns on its master, with tragic results. Another example requires us to flash back thousands of years.
The setting is a desert wilderness in the Middle East, and the people of God are a nomadic band moving from place to place. In their disobedience to God, a plague is unleashed, and large numbers are perishing through the lethal bite of venomous snakes. A prescribed remedy was a bronze representation of a serpent on a pole. This bronze standard, when lifted up so as to be visible to the people, provided miraculous healing as those inflicted looked to it (Number 21.8-9). This symbol, incidentally, is often utilized by the modern medical community.
Now, many years later, that same bronze image still exists, but a problem has developed. Something that was once good and, literally, therapeutic, has now become a source of horrible evil. Notice:
"He (king Hezekiah) removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan." (2 Kings 18.4)
This bronze image, a God-sanctioned object for healing and help, had become an idol; a god unto itself. The tool had become a serious stumbling block.
The point to this whole story is the danger of good things. A good thing and a good way can become the only thing and the only way. Objects can become idols. Methods can become masters.
The inherent danger in everything pertaining to the Christian life is that anything and everything can become a dangerous idol. Bible reading plans and methods, worship practices, postures and positions, Bible translations, certain teachers and preachers - the list goes on and on of good things that have "idol potential".
The potential problems are far easier to identify than the solutions. The challenge is to look closely enough at what we do to try and determine what is in danger of eclipsing our devotion to our Father. When the object or practice begins to displace the rightful place of our Father, the tool has turned traitor and become an idol.
A passionate love for our Father, and His Son, are the best antidote for the danger of idol worship. May our love for our Creator supersede any wrongful devotion to any of His creation.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
The setting is a desert wilderness in the Middle East, and the people of God are a nomadic band moving from place to place. In their disobedience to God, a plague is unleashed, and large numbers are perishing through the lethal bite of venomous snakes. A prescribed remedy was a bronze representation of a serpent on a pole. This bronze standard, when lifted up so as to be visible to the people, provided miraculous healing as those inflicted looked to it (Number 21.8-9). This symbol, incidentally, is often utilized by the modern medical community.
Now, many years later, that same bronze image still exists, but a problem has developed. Something that was once good and, literally, therapeutic, has now become a source of horrible evil. Notice:
"He (king Hezekiah) removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan." (2 Kings 18.4)
This bronze image, a God-sanctioned object for healing and help, had become an idol; a god unto itself. The tool had become a serious stumbling block.
The point to this whole story is the danger of good things. A good thing and a good way can become the only thing and the only way. Objects can become idols. Methods can become masters.
The inherent danger in everything pertaining to the Christian life is that anything and everything can become a dangerous idol. Bible reading plans and methods, worship practices, postures and positions, Bible translations, certain teachers and preachers - the list goes on and on of good things that have "idol potential".
The potential problems are far easier to identify than the solutions. The challenge is to look closely enough at what we do to try and determine what is in danger of eclipsing our devotion to our Father. When the object or practice begins to displace the rightful place of our Father, the tool has turned traitor and become an idol.
A passionate love for our Father, and His Son, are the best antidote for the danger of idol worship. May our love for our Creator supersede any wrongful devotion to any of His creation.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:21 AM
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