You may be committing the sin of idolatry without realizing it

As Christians, we know idolatry is a sin. We’ve heard it from the preacher’s pulpits many times. It’s when we prioritize anything before our love of God. It could be money, fame, power, and even our family.

Yes, if you love your wife or kids more than you do God, you’re committing idolatry, but that’s not new to us, either. Your preacher has probably covered that, too, with the scripture Luke 14:26:

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

The sin of idolatry isn’t lightweight stuff.

A Different Angle on the Sin of Idolatry

But have you considered this: Do people’s opinions of you matter more than God’s?

Think about that for a minute.

Are there things you do when alone that you would never do in front of anyone else?

Let’s refer to these hidden behaviors as deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). As a Christian, you know the actions are wrong, and you’re embarrassed to do them in front of others. Yet, you do them anyway.

But you aren’t alone.

You know intellectually that God sees everything. You have heard in countless sermons that God is omniscient. Perhaps you hear His voice whisper in the darkness but ignore it because the other voice, the “father of lies,” convinces you that your behavior isn’t harming anyone.

Lean into what I’m about to say.

If you hide deeds of darkness from people but do them knowing God sees, you’re showing you care more about others’ opinions than God’s.

Welcome to the sin of idolatry.

What Does Jesus Say About Hidden Sins?

Listen to what Jesus said in Luke 11:34:

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness.

Consider that scripture with what Jesus said in Matthew 5:29:

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

Why do preachers refuse to talk about hell? Jesus certainly did, but that’s another rant for another day.

But when it comes to hidden sins, Jesus didn’t pull any punches.

Are You Living a Double Life?

Think about it. What do you do when no one’s watching?

Your browser history. Your secret habits. Your hidden thoughts.

Are these things you’d be ashamed of if others knew?

Remember: God sees and knows it all.

You say you fear God, but do your actions show it? Or are you more concerned with what people think?

Jesus said in Matthew 10:28:

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

There Jesus goes talking about hell again. He didn’t mince words about sin.

Here’s the Hard Truth About the Sin of Idolatry

If you’re more worried about people discovering your sins than you are about God seeing them, you’re chained to the sin of idolatry.

You’re worshipping human opinion.

So What Now?

Examine your life. All of it. The public and the private.

Pray for God to examine your heart.

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

Ask yourself: Am I living for God’s approval or man’s?

Remember, in the end, only one opinion matters.

Are you ready to tear down your idols?

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