Scripture

Deuteronomy 7:25-26 NLT

You must burn their idols in fire, and you must not covet the silver or gold that covers them. You must not take it or it will become a trap to you, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. Do not bring any detestable objects into your home, for then you will be destroyed, just like them. You must utterly detest such things, for they are set apart for destruction.

Consider

Idols are dangerous because they usurp God’s rightful place as Lord in our lives. The idols themselves have no power to control us. Instead, they offer temptation for us to give into our lusts and selfish nature. What we crave or covet or jealously defend becomes so important that the idol preoccupies our thoughts and directs our behaviors, leaving little room for the Spirit to work and deafening us to the Spirit’s warning counsel.

It is human nature to allow what we treasure most to mold our hearts and desires. When the idols we treasure oppose God’s values and good purposes, then we will find ourselves opposing God as well. When we embrace cultural values that disregard the rightful place of God, we will likewise become indifferent. If we hunger after what God detests, the Scripture says, we will be destroyed by it.

Instead of treasuring idols, we are to seek after the things of God. Treasuring God’s word and delighting in practices that please God mold us into a likeness of Jesus. We grow a heart like God’s so that what is detestable to God becomes detestable to us as well. We are not fooled by the shiny silver or gold coverings because the Spirit gives us grace to discern what is truly precious. Instead of becoming like the idols we treasure, set apart for destruction, we become holy, set apart for God’s use in the priceless, redemptive mission for which Christ died.

Pray

Holy Father, I am so submerged in our modern culture that I don’t always realize when I am embracing what you oppose and treasuring what you detest. Give me ears to hear your Spirit’s good counsel and keep me from bringing shiny, worthless idols into my home and heart. Forgive me for all the ways I deny your lordship in my life. Set me apart for you glory and use me for your good purpose.

Reflect

Matthew 6:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:7

Ponder

What “detestable idols” have I brought into my heart and home? How do they make me unholy?