“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” (1 John 5:21)

These final words of the apostle John’s letter seem like an abrupt ending, but the Greek construction is significant, emphasizing the duty of personal effort in combatting idolatry. In the Greco-Roman world, moral compromise was inseparably linked with the worldly ideologies of idol worship. Idolatry’s trap led many unbelievers and believers alike into sinful practices, resulting in serious consequences.

Idolatry’s influence permeated the early church just like it did the nation Israel (2 Chronicles 24:18), so Paul commanded the church to “flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). Idolatry can be found in every heart and is an over-dependence on someone or something. It can be a physical object like creation (Romans 1:25), a property, a person, an activity, a role, a hope, a pleasure, or a temporary comfort—anything substituted for a love for the Creator. The human heart is inclined toward idolatry, so beware its multifaceted faces:

• Worshiping anything/anyone instead of God (Romans 1:21, 23; 1 Thessalonians 1:9).
• Revering anything/anyone in addition to God (1 Kings 11:4-8).
• Treasuring anything/anyone more than God (Colossians 3:5; Ezekiel 14:4, 7).
• Idolizing anything/anyone as a means of worshiping God (Exodus 32:4-5).
• Exalting our own conception of God and not the true God of Scripture (Psalms 50:21).

Believers need to recognize the potential ways we are tempted to disobey God through our preoccupation with self-made idols. Believers, keep yourselves from idols. CCM