No Other Gods Before Me

Judges 10: 6 (KJV) “And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him.”

I have been revisiting the entirety of the Bible, currently focusing on the Old Testament. A recurring message from the Holy Spirit emphasizes that the behaviors and practices depicted in those ancient texts still persist in our contemporary lives. While we may not worship the deities described in those scriptures, we often find ourselves absorbed by our own desires and addictions. For instance, I enjoy playing mobile games, browsing Facebook shorts, and watching various television series. However, it is crucial to recognize that these activities are distractions, consuming my time and attention, and diverting me from nurturing my relationship with the one true and living God. In today's world, Satan has introduced numerous temptations, manifesting in forms such as wealth, material possessions, food, interpersonal relationships, ideas, occupations, and various social connections.

Romans 1:25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” In reading more of that chapter we find that people surrendered themselves to base desires similar to contemporary society, and the situation appears to be deteriorating rapidly. The acceptance of same-sex marriages and individuals who identify as transvestites within our churches shows a shift away from God's divine truths.

  Many individuals exhibit a form of self-adulation that extends beyond mere physical appearance. In essence, these individuals perceive themselves as the central focus of the universe, often prioritizing their own desires and ambitions above all else. Their primary concern lies in the benefits they can extract from life, leading them to pursue personal gain relentlessly. This relentless pursuit of success often takes precedence over their relationships and values, as they are willing to sacrifice faith, family, and friendships in their quest for achievement.

God tells us in Exodus 20:1-6 “…I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6: 24 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

We must make a conscious decision regarding whom we will serve. If we intend to serve God, we must prioritize Him above all other commitments and desires. Matthew 22: 37 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” One day I was having a terrible struggle with my carnal nature, and a voice or a thought, if you will, came to me: “Choose!” Which will I choose? To follow my own selfish desires, or to follow God? By choosing to serve and obey God, we are empowered to triumph over our struggles through the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. He equips us with the strength necessary for every challenge, the wisdom required for each decision, and a peace that transcends all understanding.

Colossians 3: 1-7 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.”

In moments of illness, extreme fatigue—worsened by my struggle with insomnia—or when faced with various challenges, I find myself in a state of vulnerability. The scripture in Romans 6:11 instructs us to don the armor of God, yet I often falter in this regard during such trying times. It is precisely during these periods that I become susceptible to the menacing attacks of Satan, who seeks to ensnare me in depression and temptations that divert my thoughts from the truth. Regrettably, I frequently yield to these assaults rather than standing firm on the promises of God. Upon recognizing my missteps, the journey back to spiritual alignment becomes increasingly difficult. I must confess that my recent recovery from total hip replacement, knowing I’m facing 2 more surgeries, the persistent illness circulating, and the bleakness of winter, have led me to succumb once more. In these vulnerable moments, Satan delights in inflicting feelings of guilt and shame. Nevertheless, we are blessed with a magnificent heavenly Father who sent His Son to atone for our sins. I must bring these burdens to the cross and relinquish them there, lifting my head high, reassured that my sins have been cleansed. The following scripture serves as a vital reminder that I must keep close to my heart, particularly when faced with the onslaught of Satan's attacks:

Romans 8: 31-34 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Are you finding it difficult to navigate the challenges posed by other “gods” and the condemnation or other lies from Satan? It is never too late to redirect your attention toward God. Upon making this decision, do not allow feelings of shame to overwhelm you, nor should you succumb to the deceitful whispers of the adversary.  Confess those sins and leave them at the altar. Hold onto the most significant scripture: John 3:16, which states, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." His love for us surpasses our understanding, and we are encouraged to bring all our burdens to Him. He went out of His way to find this lost sheep who went astray. I am so grateful to our Heavenly Father who loves us so very much, and to the Holy Spirit who guides us back to the Truth.