Paganism and Idols

Ever since biblical times, we have seen Israel and all other cultures embrace paganism. One definition of paganism is a belief system where more than one god is worshiped. You can see the world has embraced this to the point there are now many gods and many practices in the world drawing us far away from who God is.

A good example of this list has infected the Christian church to the point where they let down the guard of being a light to give into different types of paganism found in the US. As a child, I was brought up to believe in these days and it drew me further and further away from the true meaning of what they stood for. I will list only a few. Some of these rituals are christmas, new years day, easter, the roman version of Halloween, Labor Day, epiphany, three kings day, saint johns eve. I am sure there are more but this is a list of ones I wanted to list. Then there are idols we have in our lives that keep us from growing in the Lord and maturing to be the man or woman God has called us to be.

Let's look at the word with ism at the end of Paganism to indicate that the word represents a specific practice, system, or philosophy. If God said to have no other idols before Him and worship Him alone then why do we in the church bow down to comprise what we are here to do. I don't believe Jesus compromised who He was and why He was there for anyone.

We like to incorporate these pagan days or idols to say we can reach the lost if we do what they do and this is wrong. An example of this is when we have the church open to people for Halloween and call it trunk or treat and dress up as bible characters and then pass out tracts and candy? Why? Do you know there are many witches and witchcraft in the church and other things believers do not need to entertain?

The bible said in 2 Corinthians 6: 14-17(ESV) 14. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15. What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16. What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18. and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” I pray that what I am talking about will help me to change grow as well as those who read this and get rid of the idols in our lives as well.

One last look at what happened to the children of Israel when they were waiting for Moses to come down off the mountain after hearing from God. Read Exodus 32. There were 3000 men slain who worshipped the golden calf when Moses was bringing down the Word of God off the mountain. God was fed up with Israel because they were so stubborn. How many of us have been stubborn and went our own way not hearing the Holy Spirit call us? Come to Jesus today and let Him cleanse you from all your stubborn ways. Broken and humble is how we can receive the Lord in our hearts. It is not an emotion but a transformation when you realize just how loving the Lord Jesus Christ is to all man.