I'm struggling with idolatry today, so I figured one way to do battle with it is to bring it into the light, enlist some of my favorite prayer warriors (you!), and hash it all out—right here in front of everybody. It's the same old idol I've told you about before. The one that knows no mercy and almost takes me under every time I give it just a little room.
The latest battle with my old enemy started when I was visiting a friend who was lying in the hospital bed with sky-high blood pressure. A couple of us were keeping her company while we waited on test results. Her emergency trip to the hospital had put us all in a "teachable" position with our health. We spent the morning doing a little Bible study together, checking out what the Word has to say about a brutal topic—what we eat and drink!
We started with this:
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:1–2).
That's pretty clear. When we live out the gospel, it's to be an evident transformation. That transformation isn't just heart transformation—although that's where it all starts. It begins with the heart, but it should affect our entire being. There is a literal and a spiritual aspect to presenting our "bodies" as a living sacrifice.
Paul takes a radical approach to getting that flabby flesh under control:
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (1 Cor. 9:27).
Everything We Do Should Glorify Him
One of my friends was sharing why she no longer goes to the race track to gamble. She said, "I never wanted anyone to have anything they saw me do that might detract from my commitment to Christ. I want everything I do to be something that glorifies Him."
As she was sharing that, all I could think about is how I've stopped battling my idol and let it gain mastery over me again. I told her, "If people looked at my eating habits, I would be ashamed. I'm not glorifying God . . ."
How can I stand and teach the Word, challenge women to live passionately for Christ, when I have this unyielded area in my life? When I'm worshiping at the wrong altar? When I'm indulging in idolatry—feeding my flesh?
Food is not the problem. My heart is.
I love food. I love butter (and lots of it), cream sauce, chocolate, comfort food, creamy food, crunchy food, spicy food, sweet food, salty food, cheesy food, rich food, high-calorie-high-fat food. My love affair with food is unholy.
Enjoying God's Gifts
God blesses us with all good gifts to enjoy, He pours out beauty, comfort, pleasurable experiences, abundant provisions-all to be enjoyed.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:17).
But true enjoyment of God's gifts comes through the holy practice and consumption of those gifts—not through the perversion of the good. Food is good and necessary. But food can become an idol. I don't just eat to live—I live to eat!
When I go beyond enjoying food within holy boundaries and indulge my flesh in unhealthy ways, when my cravings drive my decisions and I seek to find satisfaction through my belly, when gluttony becomes my practice, my approach to food is not glorifying God. In fact, it's idolatry.
Paul, again, gives a strong word about our physical appetites:
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things (Phil. 3:19).
Paul is speaking specifically of non-believers here, but it's interesting that one characteristic of these individuals is that they worship at the wrong altar. Their "god" is their belly, and they find no shame in looking to food for their joy, comfort, and pleasure.
It could be alcohol. Maybe gambling, porn, or drugs, but for me . . . food is my addiction.
Letting Christ Rule
In that little hospital room, each of us confessed our addictions. Each of us walked through the Scriptures and allowed the Spirit to confront us that morning. While writing this post, I had to text those two friends and ask for prayer . . . while battling a major craving. I don't want to worship at that altar today. I don't want the desire for chocolate to rule my life; I want Christ to rule my life. They prayed, and I planted Romans 12:1–2 a little deeper in my heart.
What altar are you worshiping at today?
This was originally posted on Kimberly’s personal blog as "Been Worshiping at the Wrong Altar.”
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