Modern Day Idolatry
In the 21st century, Americans worship many idols. Some bow down to the twin goddesses of fame and popularity. Others worship wealth and are consumed by the love of money. But today, the idols I’m writing about are the concrete ones we can touch with our hands.
Different Ways of Living
I love learning about other cultures.
My husband and I always try to go to our town’s International Festival every year. Over 50 different nationalities take part.
We learn about foreign customs, watch traditional dances and enjoy real ethnic cooking from different countries. The vendors and dancers dress in their native costumes. Often different religious icons, statues and symbols are featured too.
It’s a lively, fun event.
Sometimes I learn about other cultures by talking to people who’ve immigrated to the U.S. My favorite question to ask?
“What surprised you about American culture when you first came here?”
Their answers have often opened my eyes. Immigrants see our country’s national “flavor” from the outside. The way Americans look at the world is foreign and strange to them.
Just as surprising are the insights people share about a different county’s customs of worship.
Thailand’s Water Festival
Recently I learned about a three day Buddhist water festival in Thailand called Songkran. It’s celebrated every April to bring in the Thai New Year and there’s one unique feature about this holiday.
Everyone gets wet!
Songkran celebrates purification, cleansing and a new beginning. The festival opens with Buddha’s statues being carried through the streets.
But soon the main streets close and a giant water fight begins. Splashing water upon friends and strangers symbolizes washing away bad thoughts and deeds. Only the king, the monks and pregnant women remain dry. Everyone else is a fair target. Even the elephants and firefighters spray water on the crowd. Tourists get soaked too.
After sundown, everyone dries off, tired and happy, and sits down to enjoy the evening meal.
God’s Warning
Being curious about other nations is a natural part of my personality.
But I remember the day the Holy Spirit gave me a clear “do not cross this line” warning.
A Hindu co-worker had invited me to an event. Then she mentioned that her people were raising funds for her temple.
She had invited us to other events, celebrating Indian culture. We’d enjoyed them all. But this one was different. My money would benefit the worship of foreign gods.
When the Holy Spirit convicted me, I started pulling back immediately.
I only wish I’d been honest enough to gently tell her why.
The Reason Why
Jesus is my Lord, Master, my Redeemer and my Savior.
All over the world, Christians are being tortured or dying for their faith, because they won’t compromise. They won’t deny Christ or convert back to their old religion to please angry persecutors.
They know God takes very seriously how His people act toward idols.
A Biblical Example
When Elijah was fleeing because of Queen Jezebel’s threats, he complained to God in the wilderness. In his mind, all the other Jews had ceased to follow Yahweh.
14 He (Elijah) replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” (1 Kings 19:14 NIV)
God’s answer to his prophet’s self-pitying rant was a simple truth. There were 1000s of people in Israel besides the prophet who still worshiped Yahweh alone.
18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18 NIV)
Our Outward Actions Matter to God
7000 people had not physically bowed to Baal or kissed the idol. But these were the only Israelites the Lord considered faithful to Himself.
All the other Jews had outwardly bowed down to Baal. To God, that act alone was idolatry.
When Ahab married Jezebel, he gave an iron-willed, pagan-worshiping woman absolute power in Israel.
Jezebel set up her god Baal and goddess Asherah as the new religion. She slaughtered the prophets of Yahweh, so that no one would be able to hear what Israel’s God had to say about it.
Terrified, Jews bowed down to the new “gods” she introduced. Only 7000 refused. God counted these men and women as faithful to Himself.
The Wrong Time to Compromise
Not all the Israelites who bowed down to Baal were worshiping the new god.
- Some Jews knew that Baal was just a lifeless, man-made idol.
- Silently in their hearts, many Israelites probably begged the Almighty’s pardon.
- Terrified of angering Queen Jezebel, they compromised outwardly to the new laws.
- Fathers probably bowed to the idol to protect their children.
In their hearts these Jews still counted themselves loyal to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who’d brought them out of Egypt.
Surely Yahweh would understand.
But He didn’t
Israel’s God considered the outward act of bowing to Jezebel’s idol to be idolatry, a critical act of betrayal.
Submitting to Idols
Sometimes we “bow down” to idols unthinkingly.
What if a friend, who’s into eastern religion, surprises you with a statue of Buddha? He or she might be insulted if you refused their gift. They might suddenly get angry and start calling you intolerant or foolishly closed-minded.
Your rejection of their gift could even damage the friendship.
But I myself would not accept any pagan charms or New Age crystals from unbelieving family members. These people mean well. They may even wish to bless you.
Gently and lovingly say no, realizing that they may never understand why.
For the same reason, I stay away from other occult or New Age practices; because I belong to Jesus.
We are Christ’s bride. Both the Father and the Son expects us to stay faithful to our Heavenly Bridegroom. No matter what it costs us.
Resources:
An article about the annual Thai Water Festival, Songkran.
Hundreds of images of people getting wet while celebrating the water festival in Thailand. (link)
