₦airaland Forum

iliyande:
Well, believe it or not, the most common warning about sin in Scripture does not deal only with lying, gossip, adultery, stealing, or murder. The most common sin in all of Scripture that we’re told to avoid, reject, and move away from is idolatry.

Idolatry looks completely different today from what it once was. Whereas there was a time when idols were inanimate figures and statues, today they can come in various forms. Idolatry is an issue of the heart and can thus only be broken by a transformation of the heart.

Everything that is not of God raises itself up against God, even in the life of a Christian. So we constantly have idol pop-ups in our lives. We have to cast them down, but they will be there as long as we live here on earth.

Idols are anything that takes God's place in giving us fulfillment, satisfaction, security or significance. Many of the things that people have idolized -- both past and present -- are not necessarily bad things, but good things that take bad positions on our priority tree.

We are taught by the Bible to always put God first in our hearts. Colossians 3:5 says, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

Here are five modern-day things that we find it hard to admit are actually taking over our lives.

Work

Many people look to work for a sense of significance and security. While there is nothing wrong with work, it can be dangerous when it drives our decision-making to the point of completely ignoring God's ways and desires, or we put it before things that are equally or more deserving of our time.

Success

God wants us to be successful, but He does not desire success to take His place in our hearts. When we pursue success outside of God's will, we will find no satisfaction, but when we choose to surrender to God and His ways, Joshua 1:8 promises that we "...will be prosperous and successful." It's particularly easy to make success an idol when we follow other people's definitions, rather than God's.

Phones

Phones, tablets or whatever shiny piece of kit you carry around with you and can't stop checking every five minutes. If you're giving your electronic device more time and attention than your God and loved ones, something's wrong. You need to check your life again.

Image

In the age of Facebook and Instagram, we can be obsessed with projecting the image of the perfect life, perfect relationship, perfect kids, perfect holidays, perfect friendship group...Just choose your filter and in one click, your life can look like everybody else's dream come true. But the Christian faith is about the joy found in God, more than in ourselves or the things of this world. Let's make sure we're projecting this image to others more than anything else. In amongst all those pictures of yourself and all the great things in your life, are there any pictures of your church or anything that would speak to the world of your faith in God?

Materialism

This is a prevalent problem most especially with younger generations with all the peer pressure. But that's not to say that older generations are free from it, as today's consumerism - not to mention billion-dollar advertising industry - drives us to believe that we need certain objects, possessions and substances to feel happy and content. And with internet shopping and today's global market, there's no end to the things we could buy. Now more than ever we need that fruit of the Spirit, self-control.

Sex

Although sex was designed and created by God, man has maligned and distorted its value and purpose. We can be easily driven by the flesh instead of the word of God, especially in an age when nudity is celebrated over modesty, sexual exploits are boasted over, and our visual culture is awash with provocative images. In this day and age, sex has become an idol that drives us to make small and big decisions that will lead us away from Christ if we're not careful.

Money

Ok so it's not exactly a modern-day temptation only, but the lesson remains the same. There is much value in money, but it is not the most valuable thing. That's why Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

The biggest mistake when it comes to spotting idolatry is thinking that we cannot idolize good things. In fact, everything that man idolizes is something that is perceived to be good

Do not idolize your pastor

No wonder Christians are poor. If you can't focus on your work, why do you expect your finances to work themselves out? Your business is important, your work is important; that's why you have it. What was that saying of the ants and the sluggard...

The worst Christians are those who sit in a church from morning till night praying and claiming that is satisfaction when they aren't on a pastors salary. The forces working against your progress is your lazy arse.

What's wrong with money? How is it an idol? Show me the man who doesn't wake up to make money and I will show you a corpse.

The only thing worthy of your list are pastors and gadgets.

You are right.

Been long i read something so nice here on NL. God bless you op

This is nice

Thank you op... I pray God give you the Grace to keep on writing more interesting fact .God bless you sir.

OP from your write up we are all idolaters, pastors inclusive.

tanx

cold:
Money is God! But don't take my word for it. Read your bible and stop cherry picking verses. Besides,if money is such a bad 'master' why do your pastors keep demanding more and more of it?

God is God, money is money sir.

I didn't portray money to be a bad thing sir, rather don't idolise money

menxer:
OP from your write up we are all idolaters, pastors inclusive.

Idolatry is a sin that every human being battles with knowingly or unknowingly (anything you put ahead of God Almighty)

xender:
Thank you op... I pray God give you the Grace to keep on writing more interesting fact .God bless you sir.

Thanks, and may God Almighty empower us all

cutebobo:
can't blame you 'cus ur moniker already said ur problem

Maybe I'm not what you think I'm. I was just stressed out and bored, logging in to Nairaland to ease the boredom of watching TV; then I saw this thread, clicked and found it too long and didn't read it. I have to blurt out the word "Nonsense" and go my way. No mind my insensitive comment.

IRserveMyComent:
Been long i read something so nice here on NL. God bless you op

May Almighty God bless us all

iliyande:
Well, believe it or not, the most common warning about sin in Scripture does not deal only with lying, gossip, adultery, stealing, or murder. The most common sin in all of Scripture that we’re told to avoid, reject, and move away from is idolatry.

Idolatry looks completely different today from what it once was. Whereas there was a time when idols were inanimate figures and statues, today they can come in various forms. Idolatry is an issue of the heart and can thus only be broken by a transformation of the heart.

Everything that is not of God raises itself up against God, even in the life of a Christian. So we constantly have idol pop-ups in our lives. We have to cast them down, but they will be there as long as we live here on earth.

Idols are anything that takes God's place in giving us fulfillment, satisfaction, security or significance. Many of the things that people have idolized -- both past and present -- are not necessarily bad things, but good things that take bad positions on our priority tree.

We are taught by the Bible to always put God first in our hearts. Colossians 3:5 says, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

Here are five modern-day things that we find it hard to admit are actually taking over our lives.

Work

Many people look to work for a sense of significance and security. While there is nothing wrong with work, it can be dangerous when it drives our decision-making to the point of completely ignoring God's ways and desires, or we put it before things that are equally or more deserving of our time.

Success

God wants us to be successful, but He does not desire success to take His place in our hearts. When we pursue success outside of God's will, we will find no satisfaction, but when we choose to surrender to God and His ways, Joshua 1:8 promises that we "...will be prosperous and successful." It's particularly easy to make success an idol when we follow other people's definitions, rather than God's.

Phones

Phones, tablets or whatever shiny piece of kit you carry around with you and can't stop checking every five minutes. If you're giving your electronic device more time and attention than your God and loved ones, something's wrong. You need to check your life again.

Image

In the age of Facebook and Instagram, we can be obsessed with projecting the image of the perfect life, perfect relationship, perfect kids, perfect holidays, perfect friendship group...Just choose your filter and in one click, your life can look like everybody else's dream come true. But the Christian faith is about the joy found in God, more than in ourselves or the things of this world. Let's make sure we're projecting this image to others more than anything else. In amongst all those pictures of yourself and all the great things in your life, are there any pictures of your church or anything that would speak to the world of your faith in God?

Materialism

This is a prevalent problem most especially with younger generations with all the peer pressure. But that's not to say that older generations are free from it, as today's consumerism - not to mention billion-dollar advertising industry - drives us to believe that we need certain objects, possessions and substances to feel happy and content. And with internet shopping and today's global market, there's no end to the things we could buy. Now more than ever we need that fruit of the Spirit, self-control.

Sex

Although sex was designed and created by God, man has maligned and distorted its value and purpose. We can be easily driven by the flesh instead of the word of God, especially in an age when nudity is celebrated over modesty, sexual exploits are boasted over, and our visual culture is awash with provocative images. In this day and age, sex has become an idol that drives us to make small and big decisions that will lead us away from Christ if we're not careful.

Money

Ok so it's not exactly a modern-day temptation only, but the lesson remains the same. There is much value in money, but it is not the most valuable thing. That's why Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

The biggest mistake when it comes to spotting idolatry is thinking that we cannot idolize good things. In fact, everything that man idolizes is something that is perceived to be good

Do not idolize your pastor

God bless u,, op. Sadly, I worship my phone. Hoping to drop that evil habit soon.

holluwai:
That money matter men, if you don't have enough of it the MOG will not reckon with you in church so it's essential for God to bless one enough with it.

Money itself is not a sin but putting it ahead as though nothing more important than it means u are idolizing money.

iliyande:
Idolatry is a sin that every human being battles with knowingly or unknowingly (anything you put ahead of God Almighty)

Idol is anything that you give too much attention and desire to, to the exclusion of all else.

No, you cannot put anything ahead of God, as he is the author and finisher of that desire in you.

The key reason we are here is to learn how to strike a balance between being over righteous and over wicked (Ecclesiastes 7:16-18)

Matth 6:33 seek first God's kingdom and it's righteousness and every other thing shall be added to you

mustaphagreens:
There is no God.

Werey!!! May God forgive u

Anything ,whatsoever that takes God's time or place in your life is an idol. Rev 4:11 says we are created for God's pleasure. That simply means we are created for God's use.

work/jobs/businesses today have taken God's place in many of his children today. We forget that the job/work/business you do and all that you have was given by God. I use to be a victim in time past but today by his Grace am off that bondage. Nothing takes the place of God in me today. Nothing.
This words helped me a lot.
"CHURCH DOES NOT FALL ON WORK/BUSINESS DAY! ITS BUSINESS/WORK THAT FALLS ON CHURCH DAY!
It could help you also..

"THE FOOL HAS SAID IN HIS HEART, THEREVIS NO GOD!!

mustaphagreens:
There is no God.

Unfortunately, life-changing posts such as this do not usually get the attention of many. The interest of the majority is in the affairs of Tiwa Savage, Teebillz, etc..and the like. I don't know what's interesting in the story of these celebrities.
What value are they adding to the environment?

Thanks to the original poster for this wonderful post. The many reasons why a lot of people are fettered with problems come out of the transgression of this most exalted of all the commandments. We ignore what is most valuable, yet we expect to reap happiness and unending bliss. The consequences do come anyway.

Complicated world in a complicated universe yet no one knows what to actually believe, the most complicated book in the world is the bible, yet we all believe what we 'think' and play our part in being 'just'. "play your part and mock not those who dont follow your path"

Too long, inadequate reading habits, that's why Nigerian youths are just football being tossed around by our politicians. Read read read my dear Nigerian youths

iliyande:
Well, believe it or not, the most common warning about sin in Scripture does not deal only with lying, gossip, adultery, stealing, or murder. The most common sin in all of Scripture that we’re told to avoid, reject, and move away from is idolatry.

Idolatry looks completely different today from what it once was. Whereas there was a time when idols were inanimate figures and statues, today they can come in various forms. Idolatry is an issue of the heart and can thus only be broken by a transformation of the heart.

Everything that is not of God raises itself up against God, even in the life of a Christian. So we constantly have idol pop-ups in our lives. We have to cast them down, but they will be there as long as we live here on earth.

Idols are anything that takes God's place in giving us fulfillment, satisfaction, security or significance. Many of the things that people have idolized -- both past and present -- are not necessarily bad things, but good things that take bad positions on our priority tree.

We are taught by the Bible to always put God first in our hearts. Colossians 3:5 says, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

Here are five modern-day things that we find it hard to admit are actually taking over our lives.

Work

Many people look to work for a sense of significance and security. While there is nothing wrong with work, it can be dangerous when it drives our decision-making to the point of completely ignoring God's ways and desires, or we put it before things that are equally or more deserving of our time.

Success

God wants us to be successful, but He does not desire success to take His place in our hearts. When we pursue success outside of God's will, we will find no satisfaction, but when we choose to surrender to God and His ways, Joshua 1:8 promises that we "...will be prosperous and successful." It's particularly easy to make success an idol when we follow other people's definitions, rather than God's.

Phones

Phones, tablets or whatever shiny piece of kit you carry around with you and can't stop checking every five minutes. If you're giving your electronic device more time and attention than your God and loved ones, something's wrong. You need to check your life again.

Image

In the age of Facebook and Instagram, we can be obsessed with projecting the image of the perfect life, perfect relationship, perfect kids, perfect holidays, perfect friendship group...Just choose your filter and in one click, your life can look like everybody else's dream come true. But the Christian faith is about the joy found in God, more than in ourselves or the things of this world. Let's make sure we're projecting this image to others more than anything else. In amongst all those pictures of yourself and all the great things in your life, are there any pictures of your church or anything that would speak to the world of your faith in God?

Materialism

This is a prevalent problem most especially with younger generations with all the peer pressure. But that's not to say that older generations are free from it, as today's consumerism - not to mention billion-dollar advertising industry - drives us to believe that we need certain objects, possessions and substances to feel happy and content. And with internet shopping and today's global market, there's no end to the things we could buy. Now more than ever we need that fruit of the Spirit, self-control.

Sex

Although sex was designed and created by God, man has maligned and distorted its value and purpose. We can be easily driven by the flesh instead of the word of God, especially in an age when nudity is celebrated over modesty, sexual exploits are boasted over, and our visual culture is awash with provocative images. In this day and age, sex has become an idol that drives us to make small and big decisions that will lead us away from Christ if we're not careful.

Money

Ok so it's not exactly a modern-day temptation only, but the lesson remains the same. There is much value in money, but it is not the most valuable thing. That's why Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

The biggest mistake when it comes to spotting idolatry is thinking that we cannot idolize good things. In fact, everything that man idolizes is something that is perceived to be good

Do not idolize your pastor

I most confess u nailed it all may God Almighty guide us all.

free2ryhme:
God will give us grace, those of us that work on Sunday. For He ( God) is a God of integrity and honours agreement

Sorry , was Sunday a sabbath day ?
First day of the week and we will were told is rested on the 7day .
What's what the Rome empire makes us to believe .

God know the best for us .. He needed us to worship him in truth .

In effect of the place of work in our lives, what the poster is trying to tell us is that no matter how busy we are in our place of work, we must try & make out some time for learn more about God, to prevent our attention from completely losing sight of what God is doing in our lives. It's just a simple matter

Correct

mustaphagreens:
There is no God.

Atheist spotted. Sound the alarm.

Add Celebrities to the list