Acts 19:23-31 Revised Standard Version
23 About that time there arose no little stir concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Deme′trius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Ar′temis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only at Ephesus but almost throughout all Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable company of people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Ar′temis may count for nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28 When they heard this they were enraged, and cried out, “Great is Ar′temis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion; and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Ga′ius and Aristar′chus, Macedo′nians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30 Paul wished to go in among the crowd, but the disciples would not let him; 31 some of the A′si-archs also, who were friends of his, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
The magnificent temple of Artemis in Ephesus was famous all over the world.
People traveled from many places to worship at the beautiful temple and participate in all it had to offer.
Anyone who might threaten any of the processes and practices of idol worship had to be stopped.
Losing idolatry as the center of life in Ephesus threatened the livelihoods of many in Ephesus.
The crowd of people whose livings were tied to idol worship went berserk when they realized the potential impact of the teaching about Jesus.
They feared losing their money more than they wanted to know the truth.
They feared losing their financial income and the prestige of their city more than they wanted to be people of character.
A riot ensued, and the Roman government would not tolerate social unrest.
Paul’s friends and the Holy Spirit kept him safely away from the trouble, and as a result of the Gospel message about Jesus, a cluster of house churches formed a Christian beachhead in the very religious but very lost city of Ephesus.
Paul’s subsequent letter to these believers speaks about the Holy Spirit, prayer, the power within us, the armor of God, our battle against dark and evil forces.
Culturally, socially, and economically, everything was stacked against monotheistic faith in Jesus as God come to be with us.
Nevertheless, propelled by the power of the Spirit, the message of Jesus was unstoppable, even in the heart of an idolatrous stronghold!
The threat that the powers of darkness felt should be good news for us.
Jesus brings grace, deliverance and profound wisdom for people enslaved by dark powers, ignorance, false spirituality, and cultural slavery.
Idols may have been more apparent during the time of the very early church.
Individuals could purchase idols of wood, silver, stone from local craftsmen.
Many cities even had large idols housed within temples, such as in Ephesus where the famous statue of Artemis stood.
These small shrines of Artemis were what brought Paul and his companions trouble when they visited Ephesus to preach the gospel.
When Demetrius the silversmith noticed many people in Ephesus were turning away from worshiping the silver shrines of Artemis that he created, he feared the loss of his livelihood (Acts 19:24-27). Stirring up the other tradesmen and people in the city, they rioted against Paul and his companions (Acts 19:29).
Believers often disposed of their household gods after placing faith in Christ.
In many parts of the world today, this practice continues as new Christians remove idols from their home to demonstrate their devotion to Jesus. Yet, the problem of idolatry is not restricted to bowing down in front of carved images.
For many believers, especially those in the West, the temptation to worship an idol comes in abstract ways.
We might not kneel before coins or dollars, but we can worship wealth and greedily grasp onto our money.
Or we sacrifice all we have for the sake of a company or position.
Other idols, though, come in disguised forms.
The casual observer may assume we are merely engaging with cultural practices or staying abreast of current trends.
But there are times when we form idols from specific identities, roles, or activities.
This form of idolatry can be unexpected, so we must be mindful of our attitudes and do as those early Christians did – dispose of the idols to demonstrate our devotion to Christ.
For, as our Lord said, we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).
An Ideal Version of Ourselves
Social media makes it easier for us to compare our lives to others; we see their outfits, families, homes, and highlight reels.
From this position of comparison, we begin to envision an “ideal version” of ourselves. We decide that to achieve happiness and fulfillment, we must chase after this imagined version of life with the perfect body, spouse, family, house, job, etc.
An ideal becomes our idol.
Lots of us may not at first notice this new enthronement in our heart, since we might draw inspiration from those we follow online.
Our patchwork imitation may start as an innocent interest as we copy recipes online or start buying similar outfits to what we see on our feed.
But we quickly fall headlong into the trap of worshiping a “perfect” image of ourselves by pursuing a specific physical look or imitating experiences to achieve an aesthetic.
Eventually, this pursuit becomes more important than following Christ.
To identify and topple this idol, we must examine our thoughts and actions.
Do we think that this ideal life will bring us fulfillment?
Are we placing too much of our time and energy into this pursuit?
The clearest sign that we have formed an idol is if we have unilaterally focused our resources on achieving this imagined goal.
Jesus told us that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
The goal of the Christian life is not to look more like those we see online or to copy all the trends that we think will make us happy.
Worshiping an ideal will never bring us contentment; rather, we will experience abundant joy when we truly follow Jesus. It is Him we are meant to imitate, and to His image we are being conformed (Romans 8:29; see also Ephesians 5:1-2).
A Social Media Influencer, Celebrity, or Christian Teacher
The same impulse that tempts us to enthrone a “perfect” version of ourselves is the same one that makes us elevate a person or group of people highly admired.
In a culture filled with athletes, social media influencers, celebrities, and even famous Christian teachers and pastors, it is too easy to idolize a human being.
We watch interviews of our favorite actors or artists and become enamored – if only we could be like them.
Our social media feed is filled with videos and posts from an influencer, and we start aligning ourselves more with their views.
Or we find ourselves focusing more on what a beloved Christian teacher says than what God’s Word teaches.
There is a real danger of idolatry if we keep our hearts unchecked in these types of scenarios.
The problem is not the internet or videos.
Nor is it the fault of the individual, though they should be wary of fan worship (i.e., if a person is treated as “a god”, they might start to believe they are one).
No, the real issue lies in focusing on the creature and ignoring the Creator (Romans 1:25).
God is the One who endowed people with skills and gifts.
Instead of idolizing someone for their practiced musical ability or posts online, we should praise the Lord for the variety of skills He has given to humankind.
Their talent does not originate within them since every person was made for the glory of the Lord (Isaiah 43:7).
Whatever gifts they may have – whether musical, theatrical, or practical – they come from the Creator. We should express thanksgiving for such gifts, turning our eyes away from the “Ideal” person to the One God who created all things.
Family
Families are a significant part of lives and should be viewed as gifts from the Lord (James 1:17).
Many husbands and wives are working to ensure their children mature with a solid foundation of biblical truth and emphasize modeling a love for Christ.
We need more families who are committed to following Jesus in the world, and authentically showing their neighbors the beauty of knowing the Lord our God.
Yet, there are some believers who overemphasize the role of the family.
Yes, it is important and good, but following Jesus should be the main priority of every believer.
Our Lord modeled this when He answered the people who said his mother and brothers were looking for Him:
“Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother’” (Matthew 12:49-50).
If we discover our theological views are more formed by family members than by a rigorous study of the Bible, or that we allow devotion to parents or children to override obedience to God, then we have transformed our family into an idol.
Our characters, our heart and our worship are focused inwardly towards those around us, establishing blood relatives as the greatest authority and source of wisdom in our lives.
We have taken that which is good and disfigured it by misplacing our priorities.
To love our families as the Lord intends, we must love God wholeheartedly and treasure Him more than anything else in life.
He has made us His children, and we are now part of a new family, one which is not defined by any physical relation but by the blood of Christ (John 1:12-13).
Even if parents, siblings, children, aunts, or grandparents decide to disown and forsake us, we would have family to welcome us: the community of believers.
Psalm 27:8-10 Revised Standard Version
8 Thou hast said, “Seek ye my face.”
My heart says to thee,
“Thy face, Lord, do I seek.”
9 Hide not thy face from me.
Turn not thy servant away in anger,
thou who hast been my help.
Cast me not off, forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me up.
May we praise God for the gift of family while also avoiding the temptation to shape it into an idol.
We do not live for the approval or acceptance of relatives, but to please the Lord (Galatians 1:10).
A Spouse
Like family, marriage is a blessing from the Lord.
In fact, God instituted marriage for the benefit of humankind.
He said it was not good for man to be alone, and so He made Eve as a suitable helper and equal partner for Adam (Genesis 2:18).
In the New Testament, the image of marriage took on greater meaning as the church was compared to a bride being prepared for her husband, Christ.
Our Lord demonstrated the greatest act of love by sacrificing His life for the sake of the church (see Ephesians 5:25).
Humans have distorted this gift, though, by changing marriage into something different than God created.
Non-Christians and Christians often worship the idea of having a spouse.
They assume that being married will fix their problems and bring unending happiness. Thus, being a husband or wife becomes their greatest purpose and, for many, is perceived as a divine calling.
Some churches have sadly fueled this by teaching that marriage is necessary for becoming mature in Christ.
Married couples are not immune to this form of idolatry.
A husband or wife could become obsessed with attempting to be the perfect spouse or by placing their identity in this role.
We can spot this idol by the way we talk or use our time.
Do we regularly talk about how great our spouse is without acknowledging flaws, even to the point of using vocabulary that should only be ascribed to God?
Or do we get jealous when we hear of a friend’s engagement?
Are we obsessively consuming marriage-themed content in the form of books and podcasts, rarely focusing on growing spiritually, learning more about God?
If we think marriage is the ultimate purpose in life, then we need to remember the temporary nature of being a wife or husband (Matthew 22:30).
What is eternal is being the Bride of Christ.
Comfort
There is nothing quite like the feeling of wrapping ourselves in a blanket or drinking a warm mug of tea.
Simple pleasures in life, including the basic comforts of shelter, water, warmth, and food, are reasons for gratitude.
Far too many people in the world do not have basic access to these necessities, which provides a greater reason for not taking them for granted.
But those of us in Western society often assume comfort should be our default position.
As it is, we live in a culture that profits from comfort – –advertisements highlight cozy moments or encourage us to buy many items as a way to treat ourselves. The message we receive from these ads and items is that discomfort is something to be avoided at all costs, or at least seriously minimized.
But if we start basing decisions, rhythms in life on what is most comfortable in the situation, then we’ll often find ourselves in opposition to God’s commands.
Turning the other cheek can be painful.
Loving our enemies is difficult.
Expressing generosity entails sacrifice.
The Christian life is, by the Lord’s definition, uncomfortable; we must deny ourselves and follow Him (Matthew 16:24-25).
Enjoying comfort is not sinful; neither is giving thanks for an opportunity to treat ourselves and others.
However, idolatry arises when we prioritize our sense of ease over obeying the Lord. We must remember diligence and hard work are needed in the Christian walk, just as much as rest.
Our Opinions
With widespread access to online forums and posts, individuals can easily voice their opinions about any topic.
Had an unpleasant experience with a product?
We can comment on the company’s review page.
Outraged about current events?
Social media allows us to vent our feelings.
Everyone has their unique perspectives and views.
And there are times when we should share our thoughts with others, such as when building others up or offering advice.
However, we fall into idolatry when we begin equating our opinions with 100% authoritative truth.
Anything we believe is more important than what others say.
We place our views over the good of others, thinking our perspective trounces the biblical command to love our neighbor (Mark 12:31).
Noticing this idol in our lives is challenging, but we can discern its influence by taking note of our attitude.
Are we intolerant of others when they voice a thought disagreeing with our own?
Do we take a narrow view, believing only those who align with our perspective are following the truth?
Scripture is the Word of God; our opinions are not (see 2 Timothy 3:16).
No one can claim to understand every issue perfectly, as everyone will continue to mature in their knowledge. For example, our view on certain issues will likely evolve and mature as we submit ourselves unto the Lord and study His Word.
We should stand firm in the truth of Scripture, acknowledging Jesus as our Lord and Savior, but recognize that our opinions are always secondary to God’s truth.
We misplace our views by setting them over God. Instead of rushing to make our thoughts known about issues, we can practice the biblical command to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).
In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit ….
Praying …..
Psalm 84 Complete Jewish Bible
84 (0) For the leader. On the gittit. A psalm of the sons of Korach:
2 (1) How deeply loved are your dwelling-places,
Adonai-Tzva’ot!
3 (2) My soul yearns, yes, faints with longing
for the courtyards of Adonai;
my heart and body cry for joy
to the living God.
4 (3) As the sparrow finds herself a home
and the swallow her nest, where she lays her young,
[so my resting-place is] by your altars,
Adonai-Tzva’ot, my king and my God.
5 (4) How happy are those who live in your house;
they never cease to praise you! (Selah)
6 (5) How happy the man whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are [pilgrim] highways.
7 (6) Passing through the [dry] Baka Valley,
they make it a place of springs,
and the early rain clothes it with blessings.
8 (7) They go from strength to strength
and appear before God in Tziyon.
9 (8) Adonai, God of armies, hear my prayer;
listen, God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)
10 (9) God, see our shield [the king];
look at the face of your anointed.
11 (10) Better a day in your courtyards
than a thousand [days elsewhere].
Better just standing at the door of my God’s house
than living in the tents of the wicked.
12 (11) For Adonai, God, is a sun and a shield;
Adonai bestows favor and honor;
he will not withhold anything good
from those whose lives are pure.
13 (12) Adonai-Tzva’ot,
how happy is anyone who trusts in you!
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 