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American Idols

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." (1 John 5:21)

Has it ever occurred to you that America can be just as pagan and idolatrous as the average third world country around the globe? Ask a missionary who has been to a certain third world country where idolatry is predominantly practiced and he will tell you that America is indeed just as pagan and ignorant of the Bible. If you think about it, the average American mind is filled with the philosophy of secular humanism that tries to deteriorate God while deifying man (Romans 1:23). When the Bible is thought about, it is seen as no different than a rabbit's foot to give "good luck" to those who have a copy of it.

The only difference between America's idolatry and a third world country's idolatry is that America is more sophisticated and metaphorical in it's idol worship. The American idolater is consumed with sensuality and most of all tradition (Matthew 15:3, 6). For example, consider the idolater in the American church especially a church that has a cemetery. If that church is liberal people will not leave it because one of their family members is buried there. The church idolater has more respect for the dead rather than Jesus Christ who died and was RISEN UP from the dead! I just don't understand it!!!

There is also the idol of music that the American idolater is caught up in. I'm not against godly music just in case you misunderstand me, but I'm referring to people who base the spirituality of a church on whether they have a good piano player or etc. Not only is "musical idolatry" in the church, but it is rampant in our secular society as well. A man can have the morals of an alley cat and a woman can dress like a prostitute and be adored by millions of people if they know how to use their vocal cords in a superior manner. Let me remind you that Lucifer was very musical before he was kicked out of heaven (Ezekiel 28:13).

Another idol that America bows to is what I call the "devil's mourning bench." You might refer to it as a bar or a pub. You would be amazed at what damage alcohol has done to this country and shame on the compromising preachers who have shut their mouths on this subject (and probably opened their mouths to sip some cocktails). The television commercials show beautiful women to endorse alcohol, but the commercials don't show the flip side when the women are drunk on the alcoholic product and wind up on skid row with shattered dreams and probably waking up the next morning pregnant by a man they don't even know.

The world would ask, "What is wrong with Brother James?" Well, I'm asking the world, "What's wrong with you?" You have served the idols of greed, sex, and drugs for so long and you have called evil good and called good evil. My prayer for the world and especially for America is to repent just like the Thessalonians did when Paul preached to them: "…and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

- James S. Hodges

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