I have an issue of being a weak minded Christian and it causes a lot of issues with one of them being feeling like a lot of things are sinful and to be honest i wondered if my weak mind is the reason why i struggle with my salvation. Right now I just wanted to relax and watch something on Spotify but I'm hesitant because of the thought that it's idolatry. I will admit I do struggle with idolatry like all other sins but I'm curious what actually is considered an idol? Like when does it cross the threshold of something in your life like enjoying food to idolizing food or enjoying entertainment to idolizing it? Thanks.
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How do i know if i've made something an idol in my life?
- Thread starter Anonymous0210
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- Oct 7, 2018
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Idolatry is the worship of idols or images as if they were gods. More broadly, it encompasses giving excessive devotion or reverence to anything material, possessions, people, ideas, or even oneself. If it then takes the place of the one true God in one's life, it is then misdirected worship.
I don't believe anything you have said meets this threshold.
Blessings.
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Rather than idolatry, your struggles may be more along the lines of walking in the flesh. This is common for younger believers but can also be a struggle for older ones. You can read about this in Romans 8 and Galatians 5. Here is a short booklet that touches on some of the issues, there are probably better ones out there, but it might be a good starting point.
Walking by the Spirit - free pdf booklet
Walking by the Spirit - viewable as web pages on a cell phone
Walking by the Spirit - free pdf booklet
Walking by the Spirit - viewable as web pages on a cell phone
Christian Pioneer - Current blog
Christian Pioneer - Ebook for cellphone - The Leaven of the Pharisees
christianpioneer.com
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- Nov 18, 2018
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If you listen to Don Green's long, belabored, but interesting sermon series on the Ten Commandments, you'll learn how impossible it is for us to keep them. This starts with the First Commandment and idolatry.
Most of us focus too much on ourselves Anonymous0210, pursuing our own interests and pleasures over knowing and loving God fully each day. Personally, I did this with my career, trips, recreational sports, and outdoor adventures. Only upon losing these things at retirement did I realize that I had made God a part of my life, but not the core of my life. As a firm Christian, I didn't feel like I was idolizing or worshipping other things before God, but I see now that I wasn't directing nearly as much time and attention each day to God as I was to the other activities and interests in my life.
For me, change came when I started studying Christian apologetics. That got me interested in learning all about God and the Bible, and as I spent time each day reading, watching and learning about the many varied topics (in addition to reading the Bible, praying, and more), I found my entire world view changing to a God focused, Biblical one that became relevant throughout each day. Now, regardless of where I am or what I'm doing, I frequently encounter people, conversations, or issues that prompt me to think about God, his word, or Christian related issues.
I'm sure I still idolize some things over God at various times, but part of the sanctification process is improving steadily with age. That starts with wanting to know and love God more and grows with dedicating more time and attention to him.
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