AUGUST 23, 2025
Topic: “INTIMACY AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN THE CHURCH – IDOLATRY“
Text: Joshua 24:14-15
Memory Verse: “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the river, and in Egypt and serve the Lord”. Joshua 24:14
Idolatry is the love, admiration or worship of something or somebody apart from God. When God created our first parents Adam and Eve, His desire was to be always intimate with them. God would always visit them in the garden in the cool of the day – Genesis 3: 8a. Usually, the approach of God’s footsteps in the garden brought them joy, which is one of the benefits of intimacy with God. Through disobedience, sin came into the world. The relationship between man and God became sour. Thereafter, man started worshipping other things apart from God, which is idolatry.
Despite the mighty works God performed in bringing the children of Israel out of Egypt, they committed idolatry on their journey to the promised land – Exodus 32:7-10. Remember that the first commandment God gave us is, “You shall have no other gods before me” – Exodus 20:3. This law was given in order to instruct us in the will of God, to fulfil God’s purpose for our lives.
Christians of today have not performed any better. Today, Christians worship other gods in one form or the other. It saddens one’s heart to see Christians consulting other mediums apart from God. They seek security for their lives, security of their position, while some are looking for wealth and popularity, etc. We should be mindful that whatever Satan gives does not last and he gives it with a price attached. Paul writing to Timothy, advised him to warn his audience about false teachers, he said, “For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the truth and pierced their hearts with many pangs – “1 Timothy 6:10.
If any is involved in idolatry, the Lord requires confession of sin and asking for forgiveness. Thanks be to God that He is a loving father, always ready to forgive once there is repentance. Jesus Christ told His disciples in Matthew 16:26”, for what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life”.
PRAYER: My heavenly Father, I pray that you will grant me contentment in life. I have found that believing you, I am secure. All other gods are sinking grounds. Thank you Father, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.