The False God Trap

Baal. Molech. Ashtoreth. Chemosh. Artemis. These names may not ring a bell for you, but back in biblical times, these false gods and others were known as competitors for devotion alongside our one true God — the God of Israel. If you aren’t a modern-day Bible scholar or a student of ancient history, these false gods may not be familiar, but make no mistake — just because we don’t use these same names for false gods today, doesn’t mean our culture doesn’t have any. We definitely do! Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” A “false god” is someone or something that is highly revered, followed devoutly, sacrificed for, and looked to for meaning in life and deliverance from problems. Would it surprise you to know that one of the most powerful “false gods” we can be ensnared by is found in the mirror? People are inherently self-centered and self-focused. Although we are capable of being selfless at times, when push comes to shove, we often demonstrate who we really are. We live in a fallen world, and in our efforts to rise above our circumstances and achieve the things we desire, we are all inclined to put ourselves first. If we can do something that benefits us, even at the expense of someone else, and if we know we can get away with it, we do it almost every time. God asks us to choose Him, not ourselves. Whether we’re making the small everyday choices that define our character over time, or tackling the big decisions that stand out as milestones in our lives, let us turn to the Lord for guidance, and seek His glory rather than our own. Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, we choose you. Remind us daily that you are sovereign, and you are the one true God. Be present in our hearts and minds and lead us in your ways, not our own. In Jesus’ name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world!