What modern "worthless things" might distract us from worshiping the living God? Setting the Scene: Turning Our Eyes Away “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.” (Psalm 119:37) The psalmist knew that the heart is easily sidetracked. “Worthless things” are anything that siphons our affection from God, no matter how glittering they look on the surface. Worthless Things in the Ancient Text In biblical times, “worthless things” pointed to: • Idols of wood, stone, or metal (Jeremiah 10:8). • Empty religious rituals (Isaiah 1:13). • Trust in wealth or alliances instead of the Lord (Psalm 52:7; Hosea 10:13). Each object drew people’s devotion away from the living God. Modern Parallels: Today’s Worthless Things Below are common twenty-first-century equivalents that can quietly nudge God off the throne of our hearts: • Streaming & binge entertainment – Endless shows, movies, gaming marathons, viral videos. • Social media validation – Chasing likes, followers, digital applause, constant scrolling. • Consumerism – Shopping sprees, brand obsession, the “upgrade” mindset. • Career idolatry – Defining identity by title, salary, or achievements. • Pornography & illicit content – A counterfeit intimacy that corrodes purity (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). • Political fixation – Treating parties or figures as saviors rather than Christ (Psalm 146:3). • New-age spirituality & self-help gurus – Mystical trends promising fulfillment without repentance (Colossians 2:8). • Sports & celebrity culture – Devoting Sabbath-level zeal to teams, concerts, or personalities. • Busyness itself – Wearing over-commitment as a badge, crowding out time with God (Luke 10:40-42). Why They Pose a Threat • They dull spiritual hunger (Matthew 5:6). • They compete with wholehearted love for God (Matthew 22:37). • They shape our thinking and values (Proverbs 4:23). • They promise life yet leave emptiness (Jeremiah 2:13). Practical Steps to Guard Our Hearts • Daily Scripture intake―let truth recalibrate desire (Psalm 19:7-10). • Digital fasting―periodically unplug to reset priorities. • Stewardship boundaries―budget time and money prayerfully (Ephesians 5:15-16). • Christ-centered community―fellow believers help spot blind spots (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Worship before work―start each day exalting God, not checking notifications (Psalm 5:3). Encouragement from Scripture • “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21) • “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever.” (1 John 2:17) • “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) Nothing rivals the treasure we have in Christ (Philippians 3:8). By fixing our eyes on Him, we exchange every worthless trinket for the surpassing worth of knowing the living God. |
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