Fight Against False

But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the Lord their God… they went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the Lord had commanded them that they should not do like them (2 Kings 17:14-15).

The Israelites continued to turn from God and embrace lifestyles that led to paths of destruction. God sent prophets to warn these people to turn from their evil ways, but by then, the Israelites had their own plans and desires. The verse states, “They went after false idols and became false.” The Israelites pursued idols, worshiping them, and clinging to their imagined power. They deceived themselves and one another. Leaning into these idols and believing the myth that their power was tangible, the Israelites further distanced themselves from their Creator, filling themselves with false beliefs, becoming false themselves.

Don’t we do the same? We disregard God’s voice for the voice of the world. We consume, whether audibly or visually, false idols. They went after false idols and became false. Reading that verse should be a wake-up call from going through the motions in life. Where are we placing our trust? In whom do we position our hope? The things of this world? When our desires and pursuits contrast with the life God wants for us, we can imitate the Israelites, chasing after false idols and becoming false.

So, how do we fight against becoming false? We absorb God’s Truth. We worship and praise Him. We study His Word and apply it to our lives. We seek relationship with the Living God and separate ourselves from the false idols in our lives. We were never meant to be held captive by idols; however, we were meant to be embraced by the caring arms of our loving, heavenly Father. Let’s pursue His Truth for our lives together!

Prayer: Lord, your goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives. Like a child caught up by the strong, loving embrace of their father, so may we experience that joy daily with You. Capture our thoughts and may they align with Yours. Protect us from becoming false and encourage us to turn from the idols in our lives. May Your words from Isaiah 43:1 be foremost in our minds as they resonate through our being: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” We are Yours, Lord! May we live a life that reflects that truth! In Jesus’ name, Amen.