The book of 1 John ends with this verse: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” We read this and think that we don’t have idols. We no longer are like those cultures in the past who made idols and worshipped them. But guess what? We are like them. We just have different idols. Anything we put before God, we are idolizing and essentially saying that we don’t trust God. Putting idols in our lives steals our joy.

It’s easy to put our children as idols in our lives and be constantly worried about their future. It’s easy to worry about their health, safety, and protection, but this is leaving God out of the picture. Children are blessings from Him. Every single morning, give your children to the Lord and ask for His protection around them, then live in confidence that He will care for them. Your children were born for such a time as this!

It’s easy to put the state of our country as an idol, and long for the good ole’ days in America. This country isn’t our home. Even when Jesus walked this earth, He referred to this wicked and perverted generation. This world has always been evil, but yes, evil is increasing in our nation. We have wicked rulers, but we are still commanded to pray for them. Worrying about all of the things that are happening are making them into an idol and are stealing our joy. Give it all to the Lord daily, and rest in the peace that He provides. He owns everything, including the future, and He is ours and we are His. He has us on this earth right now for His purposes.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him…And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15,17).

It’s easy to make social media, TV, food, and all the other luxuries that we have into an idol. Remember, we are to be known for being moderate in all things. None of these things are bad, but if we are consumed with any of them and turn them into an idol, they become bad for us. This is why God commands that we keep ourselves from idols and live in complete dependence upon Him.

” Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5).

Single women, don’t make marriage into an idol. God is good, and His plan for you is good. Trust Him. Make sure to remain holy in both body and in spirit. This is God’s will for you (1 Corinthians 7:34). Infertile married women, don’t make having a baby into an idol. Your Heavenly Father knows you want a baby, and that you were created to nurture. Trust Him and in His goodness. Whatever His will is for you, it is good. Give your desires to the Lord every day and leave them there. Don’t allow those desires to become an idol in your lives and steal your joy.

It’s so easy to make health into an idol. I know. I lost mine for 30 years, but the key for me getting through all of those rough years was to take any depressing and terrifying thoughts I had captive to the obedience of Christ and renew my mind with truth. It’s good to do the best that we can to be and stay healthy, but then leave it all in the Lord’s hands. Worry is an idol that easily steals our joy. I still don’t know what my future holds with a brain tumor in my head, but God knows! I trust Him with my life.

“We all profess we are bound for heaven, immortality, and glory; but is it any evidence that we really desire it if all our thoughts are consumed about the trifles of this world, which we must leave behind us, and have only occasional thoughts of things above?” (John Owen)

Don’t let anything become an idol in your life. No, not even the state of our culture, who is President or our leaders, our future, NOTHING but Jesus Christ. Worship and trust in Him alone. He owns and rules over everything. Be anxious for nothing.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3