Habakkuk 1:11

[The Babylonian] hordes advance like a desert wind
and gather prisoners like sand.
They deride kings
and scoff at rulers.
They laugh at all fortified cities;
they build earthen ramps and capture them.
Then they sweep past like the wind and go on-
guilty men, whose own strength is their god.

What is an idol?

Do you and I have the propensity to worship false gods?

The classic view of idol worship is bowing down to a "god" created out of our own two hands - one thinks of wooden idols and carved images, which is talked about much in the Old Testament. In addition, Jeremiah 44:3-5 tells us of the sacrifices the Israelites were making to foreign gods, "[Israel] provoked me to anger by burning incense and by worshiping other gods...Again and again I [God] sent my servants the prophets, who said, 'Do not do this detestable thing that I hate!' But they did not listen or pay attention; they did not turn from their wickedness or stop burning incense to other gods."

God utterly hates and despises false worship. God alone is able to recieve glory, He commands us in the first two of the ten commandments, "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God." (Ex.20:3+4a) This is a serious matter - more serious than any other. It is for idol worship that God destroys nations and punishes His children. But what constitutes idol worship?

In this passage in Habakkuk we read that the Babylonians were not only worshiping false dieties, but they had made their own strength into a god! Worship is sacrificing something for the sake of a person or thing which you hold in a position of glory. The Babylonians valued strength more than Yahweh, more than humility, more than compassion, more than anything, and they sacrificed resources, time, human lives, and character all for the sake of strength. What did God do? He despised them! He hated their sin! Eventually, He destroyed them for their sin. Even in a time where there were many false religion and dieties, the Old Testament accounts for "gods" outside of the classic definition of an idol. How much more so do we bow down to these types of gods in our lives?

Our society is one full of worshippers. Everyone worships. Everyone places someone or something in a position of power or respect in their lives. It could be power, money, status, career, relationships, sex, or a person, spouse, boss, or political leader. Do not we make sacrifices for these things? Do not men spend countless hours toning up in the gym so that they can get laid? Do not women give up having a family for the sake of status and a career? Do not people give up money, time, and hope, for their favorite presidential candidate?

What are you sacrificing? God says, "YOU SHALL NOT HAVE ANY GOD BESIDES ME!" His wrath will be poured out on sin and sinners when they worship creation rather than the creator; when they worship themselves rather than Jesus. Stop believing in morality. Stop looking to behavior modification. Stop self-medicating through alcohol abuse, pornography, drugs, and the like. Start recognizing that you have a worship issue. Who or what are you holding in a position of glory? Only God is worthy.