How can we ensure our worship remains focused on God, not "household gods"? The Text Before Us “So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, ‘Get rid of the foreign gods you have among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments.’ ” (Genesis 35:2) Household Gods—What Were They? • Small, portable idols kept for protection, prosperity, or guidance • Blended seamlessly into daily routines—easy to overlook, hard to uproot • A direct violation of the first commandment (Exodus 20:3) Why God Demands Their Removal • He alone is worthy of worship (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) • Idols compete for the loyalty of the heart (Matthew 6:24) • Idolatry provokes God’s jealousy and wrath (Deuteronomy 32:16-17) • Fellowship with Him requires holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16) Spotting Today’s “Household Gods” • Possessions that define our identity • Entertainment that shapes our worldview more than Scripture • Digital devices that consume time and attention • Traditions or hobbies elevated above obedience to Christ • People whose approval matters more than God’s (Galatians 1:10) Practical Steps to Keep Worship God-Centered 1. Examine the House – Do a spiritual inventory like Jacob did; identify anything pulling affection from God (2 Corinthians 13:5). 2. Purify Yourself – Confess and forsake known sin (1 John 1:9). – “Change your garments” by replacing worldly patterns with righteous habits (Ephesians 4:22-24). 3. Bury the Idols – Remove, restrict, or restructure whatever distracts from God; Jacob physically buried them (Genesis 35:4). 4. Re-enthrone the Lord Daily – Start and finish the day in His Word (Psalm 119:97). – Engage in regular, heartfelt worship—personally and as a family (Colossians 3:16). 5. Guard the Gates – Filter what enters the home through screens, speakers, and conversations (Proverbs 4:23). 6. Choose Ongoing Accountability – Share your commitments with trusted believers; “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17). 7. Celebrate God’s Faithfulness – Mark milestones of obedience; Jacob built an altar at Bethel (Genesis 35:7). Encouragement for the Journey “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14) “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21) Cast off every rival, bury it under the oak, and let the Lord alone fill the house with His glory. |
    |