Today, so many of us are quick to dismiss the thought of worshipping idols because…who does that anymore? But worship is to exalt something over everything else. There are many things in the world today that we exalt over God, we think about more than God, and we care about more than God. There are things that are on our minds first thing when we wake up, and things that are on our minds as we fall asleep, or may even keep us from sleeping. These things may be idols but there are some very common idols of today. Let's delve deeper. 

Excessiveness

Many of us live modest lives, some more modest than others. But because of media and culture our minds are rarely content. When we get a new car, that car is only good for two years and we feel the need to have another one or newer one. When we get houses, clothes, jewelry, food, or even a ministry, what we have is not enough. We have a “more” mentality. We have to learn to be content with God’s blessings until His timing says we’re moving to the next season and He blesses us again. Or until His mercy and favor showers us. Or until we shower others and reap the fruit of it, which is also in due season. Otherwise, tangible things become an idol.

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:7 

Money

Some people say “money over everything”, other people say “you need money to survive”, and people believe we can't live without money. But what about the fact that we can’t live without God? Without God we don’t even have a mind, spirit, or body to even consider money. Without God we don’t even have breathe or life in our bodies. We truly need God over money. God’s Word says that we cannot love God and money, we will hate one and love the other (Matthew 6:24) and by putting money over God, money is made an idol.

Success

God has blessed every one of us with talent, skills, and gifts. Every single one of us. When we use them consistently, they often lead to respectable titles and positions of influence. Sometimes we can become extremely ambitious, and can mistakenly think that we accomplish things on our own. We become prideful. Again, we can’t even breath without the Word of God, so surely His name should be praised for every victory and success we see because it’s through Him that these things happens. However, for many of us, success is the driving force and that’s how it becomes an idol.

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. ~ Judges 10:14 

Ourselves

Some of us are constantly planning for tomorrow. We want to be prepared for whatever may happen and sometimes don’t move forward with a plan until it seems perfect in our eyes. This preparation mentality interferes with the move of God, it grieves His Holy Spirit that desires to do what it must, when it pleases, to keep us in God’s Will. We have to move out of our own way, submit to the Will of God, and accept that this means “not knowing” sometimes. Trusting God and that all of His thoughts toward us are good. After all, tomorrow has enough worries of its own (Matthew 6:34) and God knows of all of our needs before we even ask Him for them (Matthew 6:8). When we start moving without God’s guidance or within our own will, we make ourselves idols.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. ~ 1 John 5:21 

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. ~ Matthew 6:34

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. ~ Matthew 6:8

People

Many of us seek attention, praise, or simply acceptance from people. When we place that person’s attention, praise, or acceptance above God’s we are making them an idol. It’s normal to want to belong and want to be a part of something but if we have to give up God’s Word or Will to do it, it’s not of God and if we do it anyway, we are making those people an idol. We can make a child, spouse, parent, supervisor/job, friend, and any other type of person an idol if we are willing to please them above pleasing God. Scripture says, when we receive our reward from men, we have received it in full (Matthew 6:1-2). 

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. ~ Genesis 22:2;12

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. ~ Matthew 6:1

Conclusion

In this life, we have to seek God’s attention by giving Him ours. In that way, He sees that each journey in each day is led by His Holy Spirit, which leads to our success and honoring His name. And this leads to us having all of our needs met and no need for discontentment. Ultimately by putting God first, we receive everything above (and more) but our heart must first seek God and God’s Kingdom and then these things will be added to us.