Who do you worship?

It is time to really take the Second Commandment seriously!

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the waters under the earth. You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I the Lord Your God am a jealous God; visiting the iniquity of the fathers to the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. But showing steadfast love to thousands of generations who love me and keep my commandments.”

(Deuteronomy 5:8-10)

How do these words, written on stone about 3,500 years ago apply to us today? The Bible is actually full of warnings against, and examples of, idolatry – from beginning to end – and speaks directly into our modern lives. It strikes at the very root of our problems, whether as individuals, our families, across society or right across our world. We are often told, in spiritual terms, that we need to “slay the giants” in our lives, and yes, we do have giants, we do have problems. But can I suggest that the giants in our lives are very often the children of the idols that we treasure in our hearts?