Destroying Idols for the Modern Day
Destroying Idols for the Modern Day
The New Year should be a time for personal reflection, renewal and resolutions and this parallels ancient religious reform. In 2 Kings 23, we see King Josiah rediscovering the book of the Law. He reads it before the people and it entices him to destroy all the idols that have held his people back, which has seemed like forever. He destroys the high places, the Asherah poles and Pagan altars all throughout Judah and Israel. He wants to re-emphasize the people of God’s total commitment to have purity in their worship, and he also restores the covenant with the living God. Just as Josiah destroyed all of these physical idols to usher in a revival, a spiritual renewal, us as individuals, as children of God can do the same thing to bring in the New Year well. We can be like king Josiah, destroying the idols of the day like materialism, or being addicted to doom scrolling for hours on our social media feeds, or being completely obsessed with our career that bring grave destruction to our sought-after values or the most important our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Modern idols are absolutely anything that takes over our love of God or our love for the people of God. Anything that takes over our relationships or our spiritual life needs to be destroyed. They can be the pursuit of wealth or fame, or technology or any unhealthy habit. Josiah defiled the high places, he broke down the pillars, and he sacrificed the idolatrous priest on their own altars. He showed us to have an uncompromising destruction of any in all idols in our lives. So, what can we do as the people of God to destroy these idols? A practical step here is to audit our daily routine routines. Do you have a rhythm that keeps you from pursuing the idols in your life? Take time to think deeply on where your schedule is out of tune with being with Jesus, to slowly over time become like him and do what he did. Ask yourself: Is this bringing life or death? Set boundaries for yourself, set time limits on social media or eliminate it altogether. Because I’m one to say it is a waste of time. It does not free you to become more like Jesus, more than likely if you’re like me, you become more like the world and bitter or maybe anxious and full of fear after a long doom scroll session with social media. One other practice, write down some meaningful pursuits that you can go after this year. Such as more time in the word, more time in prayer or more time pursuing godly relationships. In this New Year, these actions you are taking should be set as resolutions and there should be some measure of accountability so they can foster lasting change rather than temporary fixes. So, might I suggest doing this with a friend or husband and wives with your spouse.
There was a great outcome of Josiah’s reforms in 2 King 23 that led to a national revival and a delayed judgment by God. This tells us that if we destroy the modern idols, it can bring personal freedom and clarity in a renewed purpose in this New Year. I just want to encourage you to emulate Josiah’s resolve by starting small, but acting very decisively and do this through reflection, prayer and journaling to track your progress. And when you fail, because you will, bring your failure to the Lord, bring your failure to the one who is holding you accountable and receive the forgiveness of God and start again anew. The destruction of idols in your life should bring transformation in this New Year that mirrors, biblical purification, and it will lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life that is free from the bondage of idols that keeps us from a full pursuit of the living God.
The New Year should be a time for personal reflection, renewal and resolutions and this parallels ancient religious reform. In 2 Kings 23, we see King Josiah rediscovering the book of the Law. He reads it before the people and it entices him to destroy all the idols that have held his people back, which has seemed like forever. He destroys the high places, the Asherah poles and Pagan altars all throughout Judah and Israel. He wants to re-emphasize the people of God’s total commitment to have purity in their worship, and he also restores the covenant with the living God. Just as Josiah destroyed all of these physical idols to usher in a revival, a spiritual renewal, us as individuals, as children of God can do the same thing to bring in the New Year well. We can be like king Josiah, destroying the idols of the day like materialism, or being addicted to doom scrolling for hours on our social media feeds, or being completely obsessed with our career that bring grave destruction to our sought-after values or the most important our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Modern idols are absolutely anything that takes over our love of God or our love for the people of God. Anything that takes over our relationships or our spiritual life needs to be destroyed. They can be the pursuit of wealth or fame, or technology or any unhealthy habit. Josiah defiled the high places, he broke down the pillars, and he sacrificed the idolatrous priest on their own altars. He showed us to have an uncompromising destruction of any in all idols in our lives. So, what can we do as the people of God to destroy these idols? A practical step here is to audit our daily routine routines. Do you have a rhythm that keeps you from pursuing the idols in your life? Take time to think deeply on where your schedule is out of tune with being with Jesus, to slowly over time become like him and do what he did. Ask yourself: Is this bringing life or death? Set boundaries for yourself, set time limits on social media or eliminate it altogether. Because I’m one to say it is a waste of time. It does not free you to become more like Jesus, more than likely if you’re like me, you become more like the world and bitter or maybe anxious and full of fear after a long doom scroll session with social media. One other practice, write down some meaningful pursuits that you can go after this year. Such as more time in the word, more time in prayer or more time pursuing godly relationships. In this New Year, these actions you are taking should be set as resolutions and there should be some measure of accountability so they can foster lasting change rather than temporary fixes. So, might I suggest doing this with a friend or husband and wives with your spouse.
There was a great outcome of Josiah’s reforms in 2 King 23 that led to a national revival and a delayed judgment by God. This tells us that if we destroy the modern idols, it can bring personal freedom and clarity in a renewed purpose in this New Year. I just want to encourage you to emulate Josiah’s resolve by starting small, but acting very decisively and do this through reflection, prayer and journaling to track your progress. And when you fail, because you will, bring your failure to the Lord, bring your failure to the one who is holding you accountable and receive the forgiveness of God and start again anew. The destruction of idols in your life should bring transformation in this New Year that mirrors, biblical purification, and it will lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life that is free from the bondage of idols that keeps us from a full pursuit of the living God.
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