Discussion: Idols

In the book of Exodus, while Moses went away from the Israelites to meet with God, they decided to use their jewelry and make a golden calf idol with it, and treated it as though it was responsible for rescuing them from slavery in Egypt.

“… Then they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”

-Exodus 32:4b NIV

Making an idol, or giving credit to something that God is responsible for is called idolatry, and is a sin.

Have you ever thought that you or something important to you was responsible for providing for you or saving you from calamity?

God provides all things that we need, and uses people and resources on this earth to do much of it. If we forget God, and put our trust and faith in things and people, we disappoint God. Those things are acting as idols in our life.

“Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”
-Exodus 34:14 NIV

Remember that God provides for us and our families, even if we don’t acknowledge Him.

Give God credit for all good things, because He is responsible for everything that is good. He alone is worthy of worship.

Pray for forgiveness if God reveals to you anything that has become an idol to you, and thank God for all He has done for you. Read His word to fond out more about what He has done for us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

-John 3:16 NIV

(Discussion notes by Ezra J. Engle)