How can we ensure our worship remains solely focused on God, as Jeremiah warns? The warning loud and clear “For your gods have become as numerous as your cities, O Judah, and the altars you have set up to Baal—altars for burning sacrifices to Baal—have become as numerous as the streets of Jerusalem.” (Jeremiah 11:13) Judah thought it was still worshiping the LORD, yet a forest of rival altars covered the land. Their worship became diluted, divided, and finally worthless. How do we keep the same tragedy from happening to us? Spotting our modern altars • Anything we trust, love, or obey more readily than God • Positions, platforms, followers, or likes • Entertainment that dominates our time and shapes our thinking • Possessions or experiences we feel we cannot live without • Human relationships we fear losing more than we fear offending the Lord Why exclusive worship matters • God commands it: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3) • God is jealous for His glory: “For the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” (Exodus 34:14) • Christ affirmed it: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” (Matthew 4:10) • Anything less robs us of the joy and security found only in Him (Psalm 16:11) Practical safeguards for God-focused worship 1. Continual heart checks – Pray Psalm 139:23-24; ask, “Where have I set up extra altars?” 2. Daily Scripture saturation – Let the word “dwell richly” (Colossians 3:16) so counterfeit loves are exposed. 3. Intentional simplicity – Declutter calendars and budgets; leave margin for undistracted God-time (Luke 10:41-42). 4. Corporate accountability – Gather with a Bible-teaching church that exalts Christ alone (Hebrews 10:24-25). 5. Regular fasting—from food, media, or hobbies – Trains the soul to say “no” to created things and “yes” to the Creator (Matthew 6:17-18). 6. Whole-life obedience – Offer your “bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1-2); worship doesn’t end when the music stops. 7. Quick repentance – The moment another affection creeps in, confess and “flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). Verses to memorize and model • Deuteronomy 6:13-14 – Fear the LORD, serve Him only. • Psalm 115:1 – “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory.” • John 4:24 – Worship in spirit and truth. • Colossians 3:17 – Whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. • 1 Thessalonians 1:9 – “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” Takeaway Just as Judah’s streets were lined with Baal’s altars, our hearts can quietly fill with competing loves. By vigilantly examining ourselves, saturating our minds with Scripture, and yielding every corner of life to Christ, we keep worship pure and God-centered. |
    |