DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: SEPTEMBER 19 IDOLARY IN THE CHURCH (2) SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 20: 3-5; EZEKIEL 8: 5 – 6
As said yesterday, idolatry has been with people of many races, religions, cultures and practice in many forms. Moses encounters it with his people, all the Old Testament prophets encountered it with their people and it has been expanded in our times. Ordinarily, all Christians supposed not to be associated with idolatry. It has destroyed God’s people in the past. Apostle Paul asked his hearers to “Flee from idolatry… (1Cor.10: 14). Apostle John told his hearers: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols…” (1 John 5: 21). This means as God instructed the Israelites not to involve themselves with serving other gods apart from Him, the New Testament people still uphold such instruction. Regrettably, this generation is seeing idolatries in the churches of God still these days. Question is “what are those things happening in churches that justify idolatry in our churches these days?
If one of the definitions of idolatry is worshipping something else besides God, then, some Christians in the churches are still worshipping something else or someone else other than God. Watching activities of some General Overseers on tubes show clear evidences of practices of idolatries. Most of the Pastors pursuing spectacular miracles or signs and wonders have imported other gods secretly into their altars. Some travel out to purchase rings dedicated to gods for power. I was saved from such in Israel, 2010, when we went to buy things from shops. A man approached me saying: “I see your genuineness of heart, there are shops you should not enter here unless you want to buy items dedicated to gods for spiritual powers.” He led me to the sections where ordinary anointing oil, skull caps, chains etc. are displayed. Today, lots of stories abound about how talismans, evil perfumes, spiritually dedicated handkerchiefs are used for signs and wonders. It is idolatry to use creams, soaps, snake saliva, python oil etc., for healings. This is pure idolatry in the church.
Few years ago, one of the Evangelists I personally ordained in 2004 visited me to tell me how his friends approached him to buy a cow which will be buried alive under his church altar. This, the friend said, will bring populations and wealth within a short time. Is this not idolatry? It is no longer considered a sin to burry live animals as well as human beings in altars for exploits. This is what God showed Ezekiel in Ezek. 8: 5-6. Some General Overseers still place charms or images of power at the entrances of their churches as well as on the altars of the church. The passage above referred to this as “image of jealousy…”. God was very angry with these practices then. Truth here is, God is never happy with His servants who combine idolatries with His power deceiving people under their ministries that God is involve in all the miracles, signs and wonders. Tomorrow’s devotional will talk more on this.
PRAYER:
ALMIGHTY FATHER, overturn all idolatry mindedness in your churches by the name of Jesus Christ. Raise people in the churches who you will show them secrets of idol worshippers in the churches in Jesus name.
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