While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. (NIV) Acts 17:16
After trouble in Berea, the Christians immediately send Paul to the coast and then on to Athens. While Paul is waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him in Athens, he becomes greatly distressed because the city is full of idols. The Greeks worshiped many gods. Diversity was tolerated within their culture. There were male and female deities, high and low gods, and temples and sacrifices. Gods like Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and sexual desire. . .Artemis, goddess of childbirth, of nature, and of the harvest. . . Hermes, the messenger of the gods and the protector of travelers, thieves, and merchants. . .Poseidon, the god of the sea. . . and Zeus, the ruler of the gods.
Before we’re too quick to judge, who are the gods in your life? Who or what do you really worship? If we were to look at your checkbook and your calendar, what gods would they reveal?
Although we may not have modern day temples dedicated to gods, we have manufactured our own gods.
- Gods like the pursuit of money. . .the accumulation of possessions. . . the obsession with shopping. . . the desire to have more than your neighbors.
- Gods like the pursuit of getting the next promotion. . .the accumulation of honors and recognition. . . the obsession with being the best. . . the desire to be successful.
- Gods like the pursuit of finding a mate to meet all your needs . . .the accumulation of people around us to quench the loneliness. . . the obsession with trying to “fix” someone you love. . . the desire to have relationships that fill unmet needs.
Gods, or idols, are anything or anyone that replaces God Almighty as the highest priority in life. Stop and ask God to reveal to you what gods are in your life. Then run to the foot of the cross, confess them, and allow Him to have the rightful place that only He deserves in your life.
