He also discussed the expression of the fruit. What does joy look like? What does love look like? And so on, and so forth. Obviously, we cannot do this on our own. We need the Lord, who is sovereign to guide us through this process...He actually gives us joy. He gives us love, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are things that we grow in, but are not hidden in some deep crevice of our heart for no one else to see. You cannot say, "Oh, I love people" and then ignore them. You cannot say you have peace and then yell at someone for making a simple mistake (think about your waiters and Baristas). The fruit of the Spirit is action-based. Hence, why we must walk in the Spirit. We must walk it out.
But let's take a look at that other list: the evil list...
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV)
Wow, some list, eh? I don't even want to look at that twice, haha. But, as Bob was teaching on Saturday, something came to my mind.
Idolatry. The definition of idolatry is "excessive or blind adoration, reverence, devotion, etc." That word probably doesn't even phase most Americans. Western culture typically doesn't understand the concept of actually worshiping a physical, man-made idol (unless you're part of a religion that does that...not naming names). As Americans, we think that idolatry is really only an ancient thing that barbarians do because they have no sense of civilized nature or intelligence. Isn't it true that if you ask an American what idolatry is or what an idol is, they automatically think about some golden calf thing or a wooden bird or something that people kill babies around and drink blood and go crazy?
I once heard this message about a man who went to India. This man saw a plethora of Hindu idols on the streets. I mean, they were everywhere. They were in the taxis, in essentially every home, in the businesses, in the art and advertisement. Everywhere. So he said to the Christian leader (who was Indian) how they were able to handle such blatant idolatry. The person turned to him and began to download how many idols we have in America. We build shrines on the streets to our bellies. There's multiple restaurants on one street, and sometimes two of the same kind. There are billboards with half-naked women (and men) offering us unending pleasure and excitement. They then proceeded to tell this man that they would never go back to America because of the unending and intensifying idolatry. The American god is its belly.
That's quite a strong statement, but to a certain degree, I think it's true. Don't you think it's entirely possible to have food as an idol before the Lord? What about those who are obsessed with food (whether they are trying to stay away from it or can't stop eating it)?
Americans are in this constant state of trying to hoard all the "it" items to themselves. We must have the best music, electronics, cars, clothes, men, women, food, houses, intelligence, etc. We are so obsessed with having all this "stuff" that we forget about the main thing...Yeshua. And to be quite honest, does any of this stuff ever make us happy? Are we ever truly satisfied with all of our stuff? No...we have to get more, or get the newest update of our toys. I like to call this idol the American Dream. Even religion can become an idol. When you start putting the actions before the Person, you are now practicing idolatry. When you start giving honor to an object, but actually become angry at the mention of God the Spirit, you are practicing idolatry. Even if you are serving the poor and visiting prisons and serving day and night, if you are not putting the Person, Yeshua (Jesus), first in your life (but you are putting serving first), you are living in idolatry.
How about you iPods, your cell phones, your computers, your television, your video games, you boyfriend/girlfriend, your clothes, etc? How about the way you appear before others? How about movies? Books? Music? Musical Artists?
I ask you to consider the idols in your life. Is the American Dream becoming an idol in your life? Are you putting even the simplest things before the Lord? I ask you to consider seriously (prayerfully) what you have been giving "excessive or blind adoration, reverence, devotion, etc." The Lord wants to be #1 in your life and it's His desire to be close to you. He loves you. His Name is Jealous Jealousy. He is jealous for your affections.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.Matthew 22:37-38 (NKJV)
