Idolatry, in its most basic sense, is the worship of idols or false gods. Though we may think of idolatry as something relegated to ancient cultures, the truth is that idolatry is very much alive and well in the modern world. An idol, at its core, is anything that takes the place of God in our lives – something we love or value more than God Himself. Though these modern idols may not be graven images of wood and stone, they are idols nonetheless. Here are some examples of modern idolatry that we must be wary of:
Money and Possessions
One of the most prevalent idols in the modern world is money and possessions. Our consumerist culture bombards us with the message that our worth and identity are tied to what we own. The temptation is to find our security and significance in earthly wealth rather than in God. As Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). When we make money and possessions our functional savior, we are practicing modern idolatry.
This idolatry manifests itself when we are never content no matter how much money we have, when we are unwilling to give generously or live simply, when we fret about investments and retirement funds more than we seek God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:31-33). The antidote to this idolatry is holding our possessions loosely, trusting God to provide for our needs, and finding our primary identity and security in Christ rather than our net worth.
Celebrity Culture and Fame
Our society seems obsessed at times with the lives of the rich and famous. We fixate on the latest Hollywood gossip, follow celebrity social media feeds, and even pay money for celebrity merchandise and experiences. In subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) ways, we begin to covet the lavish lifestyles of our favorite actors or musicians. We idolize them in our hearts, longing for the adoration and attention they receive. But the Bible warns that “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). No amount of fame or fortune can truly satisfy the human heart – only God can do that.
When we obsess over earthly celebrities, we are allowing them to occupy a place in our hearts that rightfully belongs to God alone. He alone is worthy of our worship. The antidote is to remember that these celebrities are fellow image-bearers just like us – flawed people in need of grace. We must resist the hollow promise of fame and “success” the world promotes, instead pursuing the lasting legacy of faithfulness to Christ.
Relationships
One of the most common modern idols is allowing relationships – whether romantic relationships or friendships – to become idols. God designed us for relationship, but when relationships become disordered and we begin to expect from others what only God can provide, our loved ones subtly become idols, taking God’s rightful place. We see this when people so depend on a relationship for identity and security that they are lost without it. Or when a relationship consumes all their time and attention, crowding out time with God. Or when someone’s desire to please or appease their spouse trumps their commitment to obeying and glorifying Christ.
Healthy Christian relationships point us to Christ. Idolatrous relationships may sometimes masquerade as good things initially, but they eventually lead us away from God. We must be vigilant to never let another human being, no matter how dear to us, occupy the place of worship that belongs to God alone. Our identity must be rooted in Christ, not in human relationships. And we must prioritize our relationship with God above all others.
Success and Achievement
In today’s results-driven culture, it’s easy to make an idol out of success and achievement. We begin to think that accomplishing great things, advancing in our careers, or realizing our big dreams will bring us the significance and joy we long for. Now there’s nothing inherently wrong with working hard or having great aspirations. But when the need to succeed and accomplish replaces our desire to glorify God, it subtly becomes idolatrous.
This idolatry shows itself when we make work the center of our lives, when we sacrifice family and spiritual disciplines on the altar of career advancement, when we derive our primary identity from our achievements or status rather than our identity in Christ. This is the “rat race” that never satisfies. True fulfillment only comes from walking with God, obeying His priorities for our lives, and serving others in His strength. We must hold earthly success loosely, submit our desires to God, and anchor our worth in Christ alone rather than our net worth or accomplishments.
Politics
In today’s polarized political climate, it’s easy for politics to become an idol. This happens whenever we place our hope and trust in a political party or leader rather than in God, look to politicians as our societal saviors rather than to Christ, or allow the pursuit of certain policies to supersede all other concerns. Now, Christians absolutely should be involved in politics. But our political positions and parties must be held loosely and with humility, conscious that no human institution can usher in the Kingdom of God.
The temptation is to think that if our “side” just wins, all will be well. But Scripture offers no such easy solutions. When we demonize or deify politicians, allowing politics to reign supreme in our hearts and minds rather than Christ, we are worshipping an idol. The antidote is to remember that our hope is not grounded in donkeys or elephants but in the Lamb. We are citizens first of the Kingdom of Heaven. Our trust must be in the Lord, not in princes (Psalm 146:3). We follow the Way of the Cross, not the way of the world.
Beauty and Image
Physical beauty and outward appearance have become idols in modern culture. Billions are spent each year on cosmetics, plastic surgery, dieting, and the like in order to attain an idealized image. Yet no amount of superficial change can rectify the human heart. When we obsess over our body image, believing that our worth and acceptance is based on looking a certain way, we have fallen into idolatry.
Scripture reminds us that human beauty is passing and superficial, but the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit is precious to God (1 Peter 3:3-4). We are not to fixate on outward adorning but are to worship Christ with our bodies, recognizing that we have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). When we take more care adorning our physical bodies than adorning our hearts with righteousness, we are practicing modern idolatry. True and lasting beauty comes from within – from a heart resting in Christ.
Entertainment and Leisure
Entertainment and leisure are gifts from God, but anything good can become an idol if it distracts us from God. When we begin looking to entertainment to fill a void only God can fill, allowing it to regularly keep us from church and Bible study, becoming more excited about the latest movie than worship and prayer, then we have slipped into idolatry. The temptation is to anesthetize spiritual hunger pains with amusements and diversions rather than feasting on the Bread of Life.
We live in an entertainment-saturated culture that is constantly promising fulfillment apart from God. But only He can truly satisfy the soul. The antidote is to set healthy boundaries around entertainment, holding it loosely and keeping it in its proper place. Times of leisure and amusement are gifts to be enjoyed in balance, but our hearts must remain firmly fixed on the Giver.
Self
One of the most prevalent idols in modern society is the idol of self. Our culture promotes a self-centered, “you do you” approach to life that exalts personal fulfillment and gratification above all else. This takes idolatry to its logical conclusion – worshipping our very selves. But the Bible warns against selfish ambition and pride, instead calling us to live selflessly, esteeming others above ourselves (Philippians 2:3). Jesus Himself modeled sacrificial self-giving, not self-idolizing.
This self idolatry rears its head whenever we think we know better than God what will make us happy, when we pamper ourselves excessively, when our life decisions revolve around self rather than serving Christ. Living for self always ends in emptiness. True purpose is found in dying to self and discovering the joy of living for Someone far greater – our Creator who alone is worthy of worship.
Escape through Substance Abuse
A less obvious form of modern idolatry is seeking to escape pain or find fulfillment through substance abuse. Alcohol, drugs, and other addictive behaviors promise release from suffering and stress. But the relief they offer is illusory. In the end, they only lead to bondage. God intends for us to find comfort and peace through His abiding presence rather than through substances (Psalm 23:4, Philippians 4:6-7).
When we regularly turn to substances rather than turning to God in the midst of trials, we are allowing them to become modern idols. This idolatry manifests itself in addiction, but also in habitual overuse of food, alcohol, medication, or other substances to numb difficulties or feel “better.” The solution lies not in the absence of suffering, but in the presence of the Wonderful Counselor who promises never to leave us. Freedom is found in seeking His face, not in escaping through artificial means.
Denying Idols or Embracing God?
In our battle against idolatry, it’s often easier to try denying ourselves various idols rather than wholeheartedly embracing God. We attempt to fight idolatry by sheer willpower, through self-discipline and self-denial. But behavior modification can only take us so far if our hearts remain untouched. The more powerful and effective solution is to fill our hearts with God’s presence so fully that it displaces counterfeit gods. When God has His rightful place on the throne of our lives, there is no room for idols.
This is why regular spiritual disciplines like prayer, worship, meditating on Scripture, and Christian fellowship are so vital. These habits continually orient our hearts toward our true God. They realign our lives around Christ rather than idols. Trying to simply remove idols without replacing them with God will always leave a vacuum that other idols inevitably rush in to fill. Only the presence of God Himself can drive out false gods and keep them out for good.
Practical Steps for Combating Idolatry
How then can we root out these seeds of idolatry from our hearts and live solely for God? Here are some practical action steps:
- Ask God to reveal any idols in your heart. Be willing to search your own motives and desires. “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24).
- Repent and renounce any idols God reveals. False gods have no place in the heart of a Christian. We must turn from them to serve the one true and living God.
- Fill your heart with Scripture. “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). Hiding God’s Word in your heart is a guard against idolatry.
- Cultivate a consistent prayer life. “Take refuge in God. Make the LORD your shelter, and make the Most High your refuge” (Psalm 91:9). Go to God first in all things rather than turning to false gods.
- Be generous and resist consumerism. Give freely to the work of God’s kingdom and avoid lavish spending on self. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
- Pursue accountability and community. Other believers can help us spot and turn from idols. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).
- Delight yourself in the Lord rather than earthly things. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). He alone can satisfy your soul.
The battle against idolatry is a battle for our hearts. But take courage – the One who resides within you is greater than any idol (1 John 4:4). Fixing our eyes on Christ will empower us to destroy false gods. May we learn to be watchful against modern idols while passionately pursuing the One who is worthy of all our worship!