No Other Gods

I was undone. On the floor in tears because of what I had done. A rolodex of memories flooded my mind as I realized the weight of actions previously repented of. I cried out to God for us all. We do not know what we do.

For several months, God has consistently brought two things to bear before me: His lordship and our idolatry. It started with Him reminding me it was time to transition from writing about children exploited to children aborted. The opposition to get words to paper was great. So far, I’ve completed two blogs (1 & 2) in the series. I thought I had enough controversial and weighty agendas to carry, but apparently God thought I could use more.

Minding my business, not searching or looking for anything on the matter, this video lands on my YouTube feed – a lady sharing her testimony of denouncing her Greek letter organization. I was brought back to several seasons of my life when God highlighted familial ties I too needed to loose. One was a long battle of spiritual warfare that led me to explore just what my ancestors had said yes to. I called my mom and asked her what she knew. I was alarmed to discover our lineage was not only laced with the usual works of darkness like lust, fornication, murder, and violence, but we were also progenitors of witchcraft and idol worship.

My favorite grandfather had been a member of the Masonic Lodge, and as I researched their practices and beliefs, I discovered its roots were antithetical to Christ. Throughout my generational line, there were other gospels and other gods my family held hope to. None of this looked good, and now these demonic spirits had beef with me. But it wasn’t all them. It was me too. I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count how often I have worshiped something and someone other than my Lord.

I remember the night he said he was coming over, and I said okay. Just at that moment the Lord compelled me to open my Bible, and He brought me here:

“Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity. Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it. They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer; it cannot save them from their troubles. Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from my righteousness. I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel.” Isaiah 46:1-13 NIV

Conviction gripped me as I read the words. I feigned obedience in the moment, but it was not yet complete. My mind recounted something I had written, but because it was all wrapped up with pretty paper, I refused to erase my idolatrous words. Comparing a created thing to the Creator. Praising and thanking it more than the One who had gifted it to me in the first place. It wasn't until after the gift exchange that I fell on my face and repented to God, for I had finally seen that I had made my muse one.

The reality is anything that we are unwilling to give up for God is an idol. Anything that we are willing to sin against our Lord for is the one we truly value and worship. With my tail tucked between my legs, I rewrote what my heart had intended and confessed my iniquity to the ones I loved. I loved him. I still do. But I pray to never compare nor love him above my God again.

David Guzik explains the passage, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3): “This does not imply that it is permissible to have other gods, as long as they line up behind the true God. Instead the idea is that there are to be no other gods before the sight of the true God in our life. According to Cole, before Me is literally, To My face.”

This place of repentance came rushing back to me as I listened to several ex-Greek members share their own journeys to their knees again. This time before the one true God. I broke to pieces as one lady stated that we had not only made covenants with false deities, but we paraded and praised them in our houses of worship before the altar that alone belongs to God, too. I cringed and crumbled at our ignorance – we know not what we do.

And so, what do we do? How do I know that I have made something an idol? How do I know that something else has become my Lord? How do I know that my commitments and engagements are false worship? We often think of idolatry only as homage to proclaimed gods in bowed worship before them. But our hearts, minds, and bodies contort to the thing we love most. And if we assess them, can we be honest and say that thing is not God.

Mark 12:29-31 states, “‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.’”

If we are to properly assess opposing gods to His Majesty, one of the first things we should do is pray. Pray that we would be open to God speaking and revealing truth. Pray that we would not have hearts of defense and offense but rather repentance as He uncovers what we’ve brought into His presence that is displeasing. Then ask that He show us what in our life dishonors and displaces His lordship.

Practically, we can evaluate how we spend our time. Whom and what gets our best investments? What is the purpose and drive behind all that we do?

Even when we don’t see or think that someone or something in our lives is another god, it’s imperative that we bring it to be tested by the Word of Truth. I’ve always loved the explanation by Dr. Tony Evans that we only have one source. That source is God. But He can use many different resources to fulfill our needs and desires. Some things are a matter of placement. Where have I placed you in my life? What seat do you have in my heart? Is it God’s throne? Perhaps we need to reposition someone or something. Other times, the thing or person must be completely burned in the fire. May we be bold enough to ask God which one.

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Very rarely will God ask us to bring words of conviction to others and not bring those words to us first for our own lives. Please know that my speaking on the matters mentioned in this blog is not one of judgment of people but exposure of behavior and practices that do not align with the Word of God. Out of my love for you, I speak as I have had many people who loved me and shared truth my ears and heart were not ready to receive. I have been in prayer for days before releasing this blog because my desire is God’s heart and intent for us all – freedom in and restoration to Him. Many of us are bound to ideologies, practices, and behaviors that turn our hearts from the Lord and biblical truth. My only hope is that by God’s grace He brings us to complete devotion to Him as He enables us to remain faithful ambassadors until His return. I highly encourage you to check out these videos. Although they are specifically geared towards freemasonry and Greek letter organizations, God has used them to expose what I have and what I am still tempted to worship instead of Him. I will leave you with these verses for exhortation to continue in Christ alone:

Psalm 32

Psalm 51

Galatians 1

Ephesians 5:1-20

Philippians 1:1-11

1 Thessalonians 5