Idols & Fasting

 

The primary problem that the bible seeks to address isn’t sin; rather, it’s idolatry. “Idolatry” is elevating an aspect of God’s good creation above its station (i.e., “worshipping”). Sin is what imprisons (or addicts) humans to idols, and always to the detriment of the idolater and everyone else. Biblically, idolatry is the source of all social injustice.

There are several symptoms or characteristics of idolatry. One is delusion or blindness to the truth (Ps 115:5-8; 135:16-17; Isa 44:17-20; Zech 10:2; Rom 1:21-22, 31 [cf. Rom 8:5-7; 12:2-3; Eph 4:17-25]). Such delusion is an immense problem that affects everyone, including Christians. Because of this delusion, one chief difficulty is that you can only realize the trap until you are out of it or headed out.

There are ways of recognizing the hold of idolatry. Given that we enter the season Lent today, I wanted to share this very brief article about how fasting can help you exit idolatry by making you aware of the problem.

Ask God right now, “What is my ‘idol?’” … What’s the first thing that popped into your mind? What have people said to or about you that might indicate your “idol”? … What popped into your mind? What do you do when you’re stressed or anxious? …

What ever it is (e.g., food, buying possessions, work, sports, politics …), try fasting from it and see what you haven’t seen before.

Fasting at the Feet of Jesus

For more Scriptural passages on the delusionary effect of idolatry, see Pss 81:8-13; 115:5-7; 135:16-17; Isa 30:9-22; 44:9-20; Jer 3:17; 5:7-23; 7:24-28; 9:13; 10:8-14; 11:8-10; 13:10; 16:11-12, 18-21; 18:12-15; 23:13-32; 51:17-18; Ezek 12:2; Hab 2:18; Zech 10:2; Rom 1:21-22 (cf. Rom 8:5-7; 12:2-3; Eph 4:17-25).