The Scripture teaches us that we will become just like what we worship. If we worship the world, we become like the world. If we worship self or conceit or greed, we will become selfish, conceited and greedy.
Think about it. Is the world harsh and unforgiving? Of course. And we will also become harsh and unforgiving if we worship the world. Makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?
Psalm 135:15-18 tells us we will be like the idols we worship. We will become just like the things we trust. Consider the following:
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They (the idols) have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them (Psalm 135:15-18).
As David Murray puts it:
- If we worship supermodels, we’ll become vain and self-centered.
- If we worship football players, we’ll become aggressive, bombastic, and women-demeaning.
- If we worship actors and singers, we’ll become foul-mouthed, immoral, and sad.
- If we worship corporate America, or the dollar, we’ll become greedy, oppressive, and materialistic
- If we worship academia, the pursuit of degrees, letters, titles, etc., we’ll become proud, arrogant, condescending, and conceited.
Why? Because we’ll become just like what we worship, good or bad. It’s a truth that’s always true.
“So, does that truth also apply to Jesus?” Absolutely. And that’s the good news.
When we worship Jesus, we become more and more like Him. We reflect His glory (2 Cor. 3:18), we will bear His fruit (John 15:8), and we’ll walk as He walked (1 John 2:6). And isn’t that the point of the Christian life? To be more like the One we love?
Consider carefully where you place your affections. Why? Because “friendship with the world is enmity (or, hatred) with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).
And nobody in their right mind would want to willingly make themselves an enemy of God, right? So keep your heart open and soft for only One— and His name is Jesus.
