A devotional on idolatry may sound old-fashioned, but it is deeply modern. God’s first command is, “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3, ESV). An idol is anything we trust, love, or serve more than God. Lent invites us to find and surrender those hidden rivals.
Key Verse
“You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3, ESV)
The First Commandment
The Ten Commandments were given at Mount Sinai, not long after God rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt. Notice how they begin. Before any command, God reminds them who he is: the God who rescued them from Egypt, where they had been slaves (Exodus 20:2). Grace comes first. God does not say, obey me and I will rescue you. He says, I have rescued you, now live as my people.
The first command follows naturally. Israel had just left a land full of gods: gods of the Nile, the sun, fertility, and the afterlife. God had shown his power over all of them through the plagues. Now he calls for exclusive loyalty. The phrase before me can mean in my presence. There is no room in God’s presence for rivals.
Modern Idols
Few people today bow to statues. But idolatry has not disappeared; it has changed clothes. Martin Luther said that whatever your heart clings to and relies on is really your god. An idol is anything that takes God’s place as our source of security, identity, or joy.
Common modern idols include money, career, achievement, comfort, romance, children, politics, reputation, health, technology, and even good religious activity. Most idols are good things turned into ultimate things. Work is good, but when it defines our worth, it has become a god. Family is good, but when we cannot imagine life without control over our children’s choices, they may have taken God’s place.
A helpful test: what do you fear losing most? What do you daydream about? Where does your money and time go? What makes you most angry when it is threatened?
Why Idols Disappoint
Psalm 115 mocks idols that have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, and then warns that their makers end up just like them (Psalm 115:4–8). We become like what we worship. Idols promise freedom but deliver slavery. They promise satisfaction but leave us hungry for more. Jeremiah described idolatry as forsaking a fountain of living water and digging broken cisterns that cannot hold water (Jeremiah 2:13).
Only God can bear the full weight of our trust, because only he is infinite, faithful, and good.
Turning Back to God
Idolatry is ultimately a love problem, so the cure is not merely willpower but a greater love. John ends his first letter with a simple instruction: dear children, guard yourselves against idols (1 John 5:21). That letter is full of God’s love in Christ. When we see how much God loves us, our idols lose their shine.
The Thessalonians were known for leaving their idols behind to serve the true and living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Repentance is a turning: away from the false and toward the true.
Idols of the Heart
Ezekiel describes leaders who had taken idols into their hearts (Ezekiel 14:3). Idolatry begins inside, long before it shows up in a calendar or a bank statement.
Lent and Hidden Rivals
Lent has traditionally been a season of fasting from something good to make room for God. A fast can expose idols. If giving up social media, sugar, shopping, or a hobby for a few weeks makes you anxious or irritable, it may reveal how much your heart has been leaning on it.
A Personal Application: Name It and Replace It
Ask God this week to show you one thing that has crept into first place. Write it down honestly. Then take two steps. First, limit it in a concrete way: set a spending cap, put your phone in another room at night, or leave work at a set hour. Second, replace the space with something that turns your heart to God, such as Scripture, prayer, worship, or serving others. Idols are not only removed; they are replaced by a greater love.
Today, Try This
Ask yourself: what do I fear losing most? Pray honestly about your answer, and hand it to God.
Reflection Question
What good thing in your life might be becoming a god thing?
Prayer
Lord, you alone are God. You rescued me before I ever obeyed you. Forgive me for the idols I have set up in my heart. Show me what has taken your place, and give me grace to turn back to you. Let your love be greater than every rival, so that I worship you alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Exodus 20:3 mean?
Exodus 20:3 is the first of the Ten Commandments. God calls his people to give him exclusive loyalty and worship, allowing nothing to take his place. It follows his reminder that he rescued them from slavery.
What are examples of modern idols?
Modern idols can include money, career, success, comfort, relationships, children, politics, reputation, and technology. Most idols are good things that have become ultimate things in our hearts.
How do I get rid of idols in my life?
Ask God to reveal them, confess them honestly, limit their hold in practical ways, and replace them with deeper devotion to God through Scripture, prayer, worship, and service. Growing love for God is the strongest cure.
Keep Reading
- Explore more: what the narrow gate means (Matthew 7:13-14)
- Read more daily devotionals
- Go deeper: Matthew 7:13-14 study
- Related: Devotional on God’s Sovereignty
- Related: Devotional on Standing Firm
- Bible Questions Answered