What is an Idol?

I started this series with a quote from Pastor Mark Driscoll that defined an idol as "good things that are turned into god things and they become bad things." That definition differs a little from the idols of old that we think of when we talk about idolatry.

Traditionally, we view idols as little wooden or metal figurines, or large statues inside temples. These are intentional religious idols that men have created as a way for followers of those religions to connect with their gods. The Greek temples are the best known example of idol worship.

Paul points out this fact in Acts 17 when he addresses the Athenians. Scripture notes that Paul was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw in Athens. He saw shrines to Zeus, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Apollo and many others. Paul even found an altar to an unknown god that the Greeks had set up just in case they had missed one. They, of course, didn't want to offend this "unknown god."

Entire cities were established around the worship, commerce and tourism of some of these idols. Paul was chased out of one town when Christianity had destroyed the business of those who made idols. Idolatry had become ingrained into the fabric of the Greek society. That is the kind of idolatry we think of when discussing this topic.

But, there is a second kind of idol that isn't meant to be religious, but the importance we place on these items suggests they have taken a god-like role in our lives. Pastor Driscoll defined them well. They can be anything that we place above God in our lives. They can be our jobs, our spouse, our children, our car, television and bank account. There is an infinite list of things that can start out as good, but when we place them above our reverence and love for God they become godlike to us, thereby making them a bad thing.

Parents live their lives vicariously through their children, sacrificing time with God in order to make the weekend tournament or recital. A man sacrifices his family and his God on the altar of a better paying, but time consuming job. A woman wraps her identity around her husband instead of basing it on God. Couples become convinced that they must have a high-end lifestyle, because what their friends think of them is more important than what God thinks.

I could go on and on, but I don't think I need to do so. The point is that when we replace God as the most important thing in our lives, regardless of whether it is overtly religious or not, we are establishing an idol that the Bible says will lead to destruction.