The Battle for Holiness

One area of sin that I have struggled with for years is the sin of idolatry.  I didn’t recognize it for a long time- I thought it was just a bad habit or character weakness.  God opened my eyes to see that my idols were many- there were a few dominant ones but many smaller, fairly adequate idols also.

As my understanding of the Bible increased I realized that God expected me to fight for holiness and a “One God allegiance”.  I realized my idols had to go but I loved them dearly, they had served me fairly well.  My idols were the things I ran to for comfort, pleasure, to unwind after a hard day and I surrounded myself with them for easy reach. 

There was TV… what a nice distraction from mental pain.  I can sit motionless and stare at it and “forget” all my troubles.

There was food- umm a soothing comfort to ease physical tension- smooth and creamy was my favorite idol.  Salty, crunchy was next.

Then there was shopping- this one made me feel strong- powerful.  Slap that credit card out and have anything I wanted.  THIS will fill the void!

I read in the Bible that Almighty God would one day ask me what I had done with the life that He gave me. I read that His intent was to create me in hope that I would look for Him- find Him and turn to Him for every need- live with a constant focus on Him- living to please him- adore Him- rejoice in all the blessings He showers me with, recognize His authority over me.  He’d be my dad and I would be His beloved child and we would enjoy one another forever!

He wanted to be ALL I needed.  He wanted to satisfy every longing.  He wanted me to check in with Him regularly and live with the intent to please Him.

A lawyer walked up to Christ one day and asked Him “what’s the greatest law?” and Christ answered “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.” 

Well, I rationalized, these things are not really gods- I don’t bow down and pray to them!  But they WERE the first thing I ran to when I wanted to unwind and soothe myself.  I am entitled to some pleasure! I want something real and tangible.  I couldn’t figure out how God- so distant and unseen could soothe me like a DQ chocolate extreme blizzard.

My real battle for holiness began when I realized that I had a bigger problem than just having a bad habit or two.  I was deeply involved in a lifestyle that compromised my standing with God.  Breaking the #1 top commandment was a serious offense and there was grave danger in ignoring it.  I was going to have to do serious battle with my own body and mind.