Idolatry & Selfishness
The Bible says, “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they
also lusted. 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. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them
also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written
for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he
fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you
to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear
it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” 1 Corinthians 10:6-14 (KJV)
Though we do not face a pantheon of false gods like the Israelites did, we face pressures from a pantheon of false
values, materialism, love of leisure, sensuality, worship of self, security, and many others. The second commandment deals
with idols. This may be something that most of us can't relate to unless we include life goals that revolve around something
other than God Himself. What is the object of our affections, our efforts, and our attention? Where does the majority of our
time go? On what do we spend the greatest amount of our resources?
Chances are that
the object of our focus in life may well be called selfishness. Anything we place of higher value, whatever we spend precious
time on, other than the Lord, His Word, His precepts, and application of the same upon our lives…it is idolatry.
Paul told the Believers in Corinth and us: “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then
shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is
charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:10-13 (KJV)
Daily
Chronological Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 9-11
