What Have you Put Before God?

Exodus 20:3 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

A giant idolatrous pitfall for many of us is our appetite for the praise and approval of fellow human beings. We like for them to notice and praise our strengths, to admire and award our abilities, to think well of us and be on our side. We don't like to be unpopular, unnoticed, or underrated. We love the approval of people. Aaron fell to this temptation. When it came down to pleasing God or people, he caved to the will of the people. He put their desires over God's clearly revealed commands. We today have to be careful not to give into the will of the people but to tell them the truth of God's word.

As we do a "search and destroy" mission for the idols that would stir up God's righteous jealousy, this is one that we need to look for carefully. It has the ability to "fly under the radar" because it's not tangible in the way that relationships, material things or even hobbies and activities are. But it can so drive our motives and actions that we are continually "bowing down" to it. It's the idol of our own desire to be worshiped, and we often serve it at the expense of honesty, integrity, and humility. Some have even adopted self-righteous names and titles so people will think them important. But remember the sinner doesn't care who you are and God is not impressed.


In Jesus day there were some men of influence who didn't want to let loose of  this idol in their lives. It created a big dilemma for them. The bible says "many even among the leaders believed in Jesus, but because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise from men more than praise from God".(John 12:42-43) What a sad documentary, afraid to speak up for Jesus, because of  something somebody might say or do to you. Remember Jesus said if you deny Him in from of men, He will deny you before the Father. What have you put before God?