By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

Idolatry is a slippery slope. It often starts out innocuously, a quiet temptation that steadily becomes louder and louder until it drowns out the sounds of everything else. It’s hard to hear God over so much noise.

The world is loud! It wants you to replace God with just about anything else. And it’s sneaky about it, too. Idolatry isn’t just praying to other gods or ignoring the Lord in favor of your cellphone. That’s the scary part. We can easily identify some idols but there are so many that fly under the radar.

See, anything can become an idol. Even something that’s good on the surface, like studying hard in school or practicing your soccer skills, can become an idol if you prioritize it over God. This is not my way of telling you to stop doing your homework or become lazy. I hope, though, that you can recognize if something in your life, even something that is very good, has become or is on its way to becoming an idol.

Gods of Our Own Making

When it comes to idolatry, the Bible doesn’t mince words. We are explicitly told, “Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:4 KJV).

God demands to be first in our lives. We are commanded to worship God and nothing or no one else. Sounds simple, right? Of course we put God first. Of course we don’t worship other deities.

Maybe we don’t worship other deities, but we certainly worship other gods. I’m talking about human-made gods like social media, celebrities, sports teams, even our spouses and children. We make them gods in our own eyes and the One True God is no longer a priority. For example, if you find yourself with the choice between spending time in prayer or scrolling social media, which do you choose? If you chose social media then guess what, you made social media an idol when you prioritized it over God.

I’m not saying every waking moment must be spent in praise and worship, but you need to be aware of how you spend your time. Balance is key. It’s easy to push God aside to focus on the things of this world instead.

It’s a Trap!

I own a bracelet that snags on clothes. One moment everything is fine, and the next, I’m stuck to the sleeve of my jacket. I know when I wear this bracelet that getting stuck is a possibility. Yet I wear it anyway.

In the same way, idolatry can trap us: “And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them” (Psalm 106:36 KJV). We recognize the possibility that our idols can ensnare us. Social media addiction is a hot topic. Gambling, alcoholism, tobacco use, media consumption- society consistently warns us about these dangers. And yet, we succumb.

What about those traits that society champions? Well, they can snare us, too. Hard work is great until you overwork yourself, making your job or career the center of your life instead of the Lord. A clean house is a healthy environment for your family, but overzealously cleaning becomes a source of pride. When your actions glorify you instead of God, you become your own idol.

Tear Down Those Idols

Idols dig their claws into us and refuse to let go. We acknowledge that idols exist, but we struggle to admit that even the good things in our lives can take us away from God. The more we turn a blind eye, the more power we give to idols and the more difficult it becomes to tear ourselves away.

Take some time for honest reflection. Identify the idols in your life. Be intentional about removing them. Pray for help and strength- God wants you to return to Him!

Most of all, be kind to yourself. It’s okay if you don’t succeed immediately. Building new habits can take time. Avoiding temptation and learning to say no can take time. Give yourself grace. Remember, idols always fall eventually. Only God is eternal.