In this episode, Krysta and Traci tackle the topic of idol worship and how this can hinder our walk with our Heavenly Father. The sisters discuss how we serve a jealous God and how past offenses of this nature have brought about suffering for the people of Israel. Idol worship can be subtle, so the Word goes so far to even dissuade us from creating any type of image that depicts our Creator. Traci and Krysta urge and encourage listeners to dive deep into the Word of God and their relationship with Him as we seek daily to consider where our devotion and dependency lie.
Key Topics Include:
- Who or what are you devoted to? How do you define yourself? How do you feel secure?
- Remembering our citizenship in the kingdom and avoiding other labels.
- Connections between Old and New Testament passages pertaining to idol worship, and the consequences of disobedience.
- We should not relate manmade images to our eternal Father or to Jesus the Messiah.
- Focusing on treasures that are eternal, rather than those that are temporary.
- No one can be loyal to two masters.
- Encouragement to read all of Matthew 6 to see what Jesus said about idolatry.
- If you are not hungering and thirsting for our Father and His truth, you can ask Him for it.
- We must return to our first love.
Scripture Verses Mentioned:
- Matthew 6:12 Forgive us what we have done wrong, as we too have forgiven those who have wronged us. (CJB)
- Romans 1:19-25 …because what is known about God is plain to them, since God has made it plain to them. For ever since the creation of the universe his invisible qualities—both his eternal power and his divine nature— have been clearly seen, because they can be understood from what he has made. Therefore, they have no excuse; because, although they know who God is, they do not glorify him as God or thank him. On the contrary, they have become futile in their thinking; and their undiscerning hearts have become darkened. Claiming to be wise, they have become fools! In fact, they have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for mere images, like a mortal human being, or like birds, animals or reptiles! This is why God has given them up to the vileness of their hearts’ lusts, to the shameful misuse of each other’s bodies. They have exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, by worshipping and serving created things, rather than the Creator— praised be he for ever. Amen. (CJB)
- Exodus 20:3 You are to have no other gods before me. (CJB)
- 2 Chronicles 7:14-15; 19-20 If my people, who are called by name, humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place…But if you turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will pluck you up from land that I have given you…(ESV)
- Romans 1:17 For in it is revealed how God makes people righteous in his sight; and from beginning to end it is through trust—as the Tanakh puts it, “But the person who is righteous will live his life by trust.” (CJB)
- Matthew 6: 22 The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if you have a ‘good eye’ [that is, if you are generous] your whole body will be full of light; but if you have an ‘evil eye’ [if you are stingy] you whole body will be full of darkness. If, then, the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (CJB)
Other Passages and References to Explore:
- Deuteronomy 4:15-16 (CJB)
- Revelation 2:8-9
- 2 Kings worshipping God and idols
- Matthew 6 (The whole chapter)
- Hebrews 11:6
- Deuteronomy 6:4-5
- Krysta quoted from “Jesus & Women, In the First Century and Now” by Kristi McLelland. Find your copy at lifeway.com.
Traci and Krysta continue to pray for those who are listening to the podcast. Listeners are encouraged to read more from the passages listed above, and to seek to know Him more through prayer and searching scripture. They invite listeners to share feedback about this week’s topic, submit new topics and questions, or to request prayer by visiting the website iamnotenough.us.