“You shall have no other gods before Me… For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.” (Exodus 20:3, 5)
In man’s pursuit of happiness and meaning, the message of the world is clear—follow your heart, chase your dreams, fulfill your desires. But this idea runs in direct opposition to the message of Scripture which tells us that the heart is not a trustworthy guide. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
In fact, to follow the heart without examining it under God’s truth is to fall into the oldest trap of Satan. This subtle deception keeps believers from seeking not only what God desires but what He commands: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Matthew 22:37). “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). “Pursue holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
One may wrongly assume that idolatry only involves statues or foreign gods. But anything we desire, pursue, or trust in more than God becomes an idol. Idolatry thrives in affections misplaced, even when cloaked in religious language. John Calvin wisely observed, “The mind is a forge for idols.” Indeed, idolatry is not confined to pagan temples. It is often found in pews, behind pulpits, in ambitions, comforts, relationships, and reputations.
God commanded His people to “keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). Why? Because He is a jealous God. His name is Jealous (Exodus 34:14). He demands our whole heart, our undivided loyalty, our first love. The living God will not be worshiped half-heartedly. He will not accept competitors in our devotion. He alone is worthy of that worship for He created us, redeemed us, sustains us, and satisfies us.
Further, it is not enough to worship God in name. He must be worshiped according to His truth. Misrepresenting Him, distorting His character, or approaching Him according to our own design is also idolatry. “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image… thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:4-5). So to worship anything more than Him—or to worship Him in ways He has not designed or commanded—is to kindle His jealousy.
And yet, how patient He is. “How accessible he is, though he dwells in inaccessible light, how lovely he is though he be the high and the lofty one, how good he is, though he be great, how merciful he is, though he be majestic: In a word, that those that flee to him may have all invitation, all encouragement to come, and nothing to discourage, to prejudge their welcome, that whoever, will, may come, and nothing may hinder on his part.”[1]
May His church be marked by the worship of the one true God, in the way He has appointed, for the glory of Christ and the enlargement of His kingdom.
Contemplations:
- Misplaced Affections. I know how easily my heart drifts toward lesser things. I may not bow to a carved image, but I’ve bowed to comfort, control, and the praise of others. When I love anything more than God, I make it an idol. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). I must examine what stirs my passion—does it lead me toward Christ… or away from Him?
- The Danger of False Worship. It sobers me to realize that even in religious acts, I can be guilty of idolatry. When I create a god who is more like me or when I twist Scripture to suit my preferences, I dishonor the Holy One. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Right worship begins with right understanding. I must fear the Lord and worship Him as He has revealed Himself.
- The Jealousy of God. God’s jealousy is not like man’s envy—it is the holy zeal of a God who will not share His glory. Do I take that seriously? Or do I treat His commands lightly, thinking He will overlook my compromise? “For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24). I need to repent of any area where I’ve invited another master into my heart.
- Returning to My First Love. I remember the joy I had when I first believed, the delight of knowing I was forgiven. But I wonder, have I left my first love? “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4). I want Christ to be first in my affections; I want to return, and not to empty religion but to Christ Himself.
Prayer
[Confession to a Jealous God]
O Jealous and Holy God, You have commanded that I have no other gods before You. You have revealed Yourself in truth, and You have spoken clearly in Your Word: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me… for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:3, 5). And yet, I confess how quickly my heart strays from You. I have sought comfort more than communion. I have loved the approval of men more than Your delight. I have trusted in my own wisdom, feared loss more than sin, and allowed idols to grow quietly in the shadows of my affections.
Lord, forgive me. Forgive me for attempting to mix the holy with the profane—for pretending to worship You while nurturing desires that draw me away from You. I confess that I have not always worshiped You in spirit and in truth. I have approached You with divided loyalties, with a lukewarm heart, and with a mind too easily captivated by the things of this world.
Cleanse me, O Lord, of every false god I have welcomed. Remove from me every affection that rivals Your supremacy. You alone are worthy of worship. You alone have redeemed me. You alone satisfy the soul. Let me not be like those who perish for lack of knowledge, who are destroyed for rejecting Your truth. But give me a heart that trembles at Your Word and rejoices in Your commandments.
Guard me from ever offering You worship on my own terms. Keep me from molding You into an image that suits my desires. You are not to be reimagined—you are to be feared, adored, and obeyed. Teach me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let every idol be torn down, and let Christ be exalted in me.
Lord, I repent. I turn from my self-made gods and cry out for mercy. Let me be found among those who truly worship You—not with empty words or superficial gestures, but with a life surrendered to Your glory. Restore to me the joy of knowing You as the one true God and let me never exchange Your truth for a lie again.
In the name of Jesus Christ, who alone is worthy of all praise, I pray. Amen.
Further References for Exodus 20:3-5
Deuteronomy 6:14; Jeremiah 25:6; Deuteronomy 5:7; Psalm 81:9; 1 Corinthians 8:4; 1 John 5:21
[1] Hugh Binning, The Common Principles of Christian Religion Clearly Proved (Glasgow: R.S., printer to the town of Glasgow, 1666), 113.
