Scripture Reading: Exodus 20:3
The creation of man in God’s likeness brought forth a mandated responsibility of obedience to His ordinances. Conventionally too, it is against the principle of hierarchical authority for man formed with higher functional encephalon than other creatures to have implausible thought of looking up to those that are below his intellect. Thus, the ordinance of God to man not to have other gods beside Him is really a reminder of what should naturally be expected in that context.
It could also be surveyed from the position of an academic Professor having any smidgen of intention of looking up to a new entrant into a university. This has no empirical justification and no theory to underpin it. Thus, man should expectedly, look up to God in all situations. This, the Scriptures say that “look up to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrew 12:2).
Man being who he is since the fall from the Garden of Eden, however, has functioned outside this expected norm by searching for a helping hand from unusual places including inanimate things. This was exactly what Aaron, under intense pressure from the Jews did in the absence of Moses, which angered God (Exodus 32:1-23).
To be more explicit and for spiritual guidance, outside the direct worshipping of idols, anything that we give more attention to above God has become other gods to us. Better still, anything that takes away God from you, that undermines your relationship with Him, or which struggles God’s time in your life is a god to you.
Since no man can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24), true children of God must be wary of things that they hold dearly, for these could majorly be the angle where they will fall.
Wealth, spouses, fame, power, educational achievements, and other earthly desires are primarily what can lead us to jettison God’s path.
The Biblical Solomon loved so many women and even married from the nations that knew not God’s ordinances. Then, when he became old, these women (Pharaoh’s daughter, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, Hittites) brought strange gods into God’s sanctuary – 1 Kings 11:1-6.
As King Solomon grew old, these women turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord… (1 Kings 11:4).
In the case of Uzziah, King of Judah, it was power intoxication that made him to transgress against his maker (2 Chronicles 26:3-23).
According to vs 16 “But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense”. This eventually led to his fall.
What is needed most times is to identify His purpose for our lives, then, we will not give any space to those things that could take us away from His presence.
Thus, it is stated in Romans 8:28: “and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.
When His purpose is fully entrenched in our heart, any digression from that will easily be spurned by us.
Charlotte Elliott (1836) reminded us of the need to be more careful in a now popular Christian song:
“Christian, seek not yet repose, Cast thy dreams of ease away; Thou art in the midst of foes: Watch and pray”
“Principalities and pow’rs, Must’ring their unseen array; Wait for thine unguarded hours; Watch and pray”.
May we indeed uphold our faith till the end of our journey on earth, through Christ our Lord.
Memory Verse:
Exodus 20:3
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me”
Author:
Baba Aladura, Elder Israel Akinadewo – FCA, PhD
Prelate, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW)/President, Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC)