iDolatry

The iPhone 5 was revealed yesterday. My high school students were talking about it for a while already, and were looking forward to seeing what new goodies would be released with this new iPhone. Apple products are something I enjoy as well, and I also was quite pleased with the latest little iToy.

I watched the video release that afternoon with some of the students that were interested. The short clip started with a VP of Apple saying that our iPhones are something we have with us all the time; they are the single item we use the most in our lives. Honestly, that sounds about right for our modern world.

He went on to describe the unique relationship (his words) we have with our iPhones. I will say that Apple knows exactly what they are doing with commercials and product timing. With only a few new features they can still make it look like any other tech than the latest toy is a complete waste of time.

Don't get me wrong. I like Apple's quality and setup. They are the most competent electronics company that has emerged in recent times. (in my opinion) But I have noticed that many people relate Apple products with excess and self-indulgence. And I can see that if you did have to upgrade each and every time some new Apple came out that it would be incredibly expensive.

So whats my point? Well, like so many things in the modern world, we can take our tools that we use and start holding them far to highly. If we obsess about Apple, the Cowboys, the Yankees, or even great authors we are coming dangerously close to breaking God's command against idolatry. His first commandment states we are not to have other gods before Him. Command number two says we are not to make or create something that takes a priority over Him. These commands overlap, but the second is the one that we should concern ourselves with today.

As Christians we don't intentionally have other gods. But we do ever so often have a problem with making something into a godlike priority in our lives. For some people this can even be things that are Church related, be they the songs we sing or the translation we use. For others it can be jobs, sports, movies, friends, knowledge, respect, or technology. We should not make these things into something they are not.

So what do we do when we realize we have indeed created something into an idol (given it too high a priority)? Well, first repent. Admit it to God and stop. For some things we need to quite completely. If this item comes between you and God, you might need to give it up. Sacrifice without the right motive will not help, but sacrifice with the proper motive is what may be needed. After we get our priorities straight, the thing that was an idol may well be useful to us again. Remember, most things in themselves (sports, tech, ect.) are not evil. The way we use them or obsess about them is. So if you can use the item, watch the sport, or whatever your issue before God may be; if it can be managed in a God honoring way, it is fine. What we find often after giving something up for a while is that we don't really need or want to go back to it at all. And if that is the case, that's also fine. Just remember that those who do still use that iPhone, or watch sports, or whatever it may be, may be doing so without the problems you had. Don't assume that God will convict them of the same thing; because they may not be struggling with it. God is constant, it is we humans that are fickle.