When I was young, I had a white cap that came down over my eyes. The front of the hat had a rectangular plastic shield like rose colored glasses. I would walk around all day thinking everything was so beautiful, and it was.
“To wear rose-colored glasses” is to see the world in a favorable light; to be optimistic.
My personal view is to think on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, etc. Philippians 4:8
But honestly, unlike those rose-colored glasses back in the day, I don’t always think right. I see things quite the opposite.
I’ve also seen many church members who wear rose-colored glasses when it comes to the truth of the Word of God.
What do I mean?
Well, there are those that so blinded by the enemy that they have left their first love even while still going to church.
Now, before anyone gets all bent out of shape. I don’t believe that many of us do this intentionally.
King Asa reminds me where some of us may find ourselves.
Asa became king of Judah. His father, Abijah, did evil. His grandfather, Rehoboam, did evil, and even his grandmother.
King Asa, however, wanted change. he got rid of the male prostitutes, cut down Asherah poles, or the sacred tree that was near the Canaanite’s religious locations to honor the pagan goddess Asherah. And commanded the people to follow the Lord.
There was one problem.
1 Kings 15:11-15 NIV says,
11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done. 12 He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made. 13 He even deposed his grandmother Maakah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for the worship of Asherah. Asa cut it down and burned it in the Kidron Valley.
Here’s it is…verse 14
14 Although he did not remove the high places, Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life. 15 He brought into the temple of the Lord the silver and gold and the articles that he and his father had dedicated.
So, is it possible to love the Lord, and have “high places” in our hearts that need to be torn down?
And the answer is, “YES!”
There are those will perhaps unknowingly serve idols gods as if they are serving the true and living god while giving their families second best, or completely neglecting them.
Is that God’s way?
1 Timothy 5:8 NASB reads,
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
There are this who believe they are serving out of love or loyalty, but it’s actually well-crafted lie.
Let’s see what love is…
1 Corinthians 13:4-6 NIV
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Would love ask you to neglect those you love or who love you?
Would love isolate or seek to separate you from your covenant spouse?
Let’s look at loyalty.
Loyalty is an unswerving allegiance. In other words, it’s a steady, constant loyalty.
Now, let’s look at some Scriptures about loyalty to God.
Exodus 20:3-4 NLT
3 “You must not have any other god but me.
Do we have other gods? No!? How about streaming movies. We have to watch a movie before reading the Bible then we never get around to it.
Or how about our money. Do we really trust in God or are we trusting in that every week, every two weeks, or monthly check?
Verse 4 reminds us…
4 “You must not make for yourself an idol…”
Are we literally craving idols and placing them in our homes?
I hope not!
But are we making our jobs, our children, or our leaders into idols?
Ask yourself…
If I’m loyal to God, will I keep the traditions of men without regard for the Word of God? Will we make the Word of God to no effect? Make time to read Mark 7:13.
The challenge is that we need to know your Bible. We need to know what things traditions of men versus commandments of God.
Regarding love and loyalty, what is God’s order?
Of course, it’s the Lord, Himself, first.
Then your family.
Ministering to the Lord is obviously the center of our lives. He’s our first love.
But remember this…
In 1 Timothy 3:1,4-5 NLT Paul talks the qualifications for some of the church leaders.
1This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
And it repeats this in verse 12.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.
Have we flipped God’s divine order in anyway?
Understand this…
The grooming process of the enemy is subtle. Part of it may be true, but it’s the part that’s partly true.
Open your eyes.
If you’re quick to defend people and ignore the Word of God, something’s wrong.
What are high places?
High places were places of worship on elevated pieces of ground that were dedicated to idol worship.
Are their high places in your heart?
If so, tear down those high places.
So, who is God your life? Is He some fictional character, while the person in front of you or the thing in front of you has become your god?
There’s an old song there’s a thin line between love and hate.
I believe there’s a thin line between love and idolatry.
10 Signs You May Be Into Idol Worship
- You consistently seek advice from a person before God.
- You follow the instructions of others and ignore the instructions from God.
- You defend a person’s actions or behavior even when it’s clearly against the Word of God.
- You attribute the words of Jesus to someone else rather than to God.
- If you’re a married woman, you considered a person your covering rather than your husband.
- If you’re a married man, you consider a person your covering rather than Jesus.
- If God gives you clear instructions to do something, you seek a second opinion. Don’t confuse what I’m saying with seeking wise counsel.
- You’re not allowed to do anything a normal, autonomous adult human being would do. For example, fellowship with other believers.
- You rarely ever check to see if what your spiritual leaders are saying lines up with the Word of God. If they say it, it’s gospel even if it’s not in the Word.
- You have to bring an offering to appease your idol (leader), or you won’t be accepted. But remember you are only as good as your last offering. You must keep the idol satisfied. Which it never is.
When have you crossed the line between love and idolatry?
When you trust a thing, or a person more than you depend on God.
Deception is a trip, so be honest with yourself. Something in you has to be saying there’s something is wrong here
Ask God to show you the truth about a situation.
Is it loyalty to God, is it love toward Him, or are your actions a big fat LIE?
It’s hard to say you’ve been bamboozled.
It’s hard to say I’ve been part of idol worship because you do love the Lord, like Asa.
Remember God is a jealous God.
Real love and real loyalty to God, now that’s the point of purpose. See you next time.
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Thank you! https://bit.ly/youtubepointsofpurposewithanita