It
Acts 19:21-41
Consider the definition of idolatry. Idolatry is worshiping any created thing in the place of the Creator. This silversmith in Acts 19 would have been considered an idolater even if he didn't spend hours a week making shrines to Artemis. He was an idolater because he valued money - a created thing - over God, the Creator.
While most people don't make wooden or silver figurines to worship, idol worship is rampant in our society. Into what do we invest the most time, energy, and emotion? What activity or person is our identity wrapped around? What captivates us more than Jesus? What is it? Is it our children, our spouse, our girlfriend? Is it the TV, or money, or a job? Whatever it is, our love for it becomes apparent when someone messes with it. We lead an internal riot in our mind and heart when a friend calls us out or the pastor instructs us to tithe or be sexually pure because our pathetic god is being challenged.
Could it be that the Holy Spirit is speaking to us about a change in the seating arrangement of our heart? Jesus, the Creator and Sustainer of everything, is the only One qualified to sit on the throne of our heart. Until He is It in our life, we will struggle to find purpose in meaning. How foolish we are to think that we could look to other created things for purpose and meaning. When the Creator is on the throne of our hearts our purpose for living is made plain: all of our needs and wants are placed in the proper perspective when He is It in our lives.
Used by permission from NewSpring Church
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