What does "not like gold or silver" teach about idolatry in modern life? The Verse in Focus “Therefore, since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.” (Acts 17:29) What the Phrase “not like gold or silver” Reveals About God • God is not composed of created matter; He is spirit and eternal (John 4:24). • He cannot be limited, shaped, or improved by human hands (Isaiah 40:18–20). • His worth surpasses anything that can be weighed, traded, or polished (Psalm 19:9–10). • Any attempt to redefine Him with material images distorts His glory and violates His command (Exodus 20:3–4). Modern Forms of Gold-and-Silver Idolatry • Money and possessions: careers, investments, retail therapy, crypto, and “financial freedom.” • Technology and entertainment: phones, streaming, gaming, social media influence. • Romance and sexuality: dating apps, pornography, an identity built on relationships. • Image and success: follower counts, trophies, résumés, “personal brand.” • Self-reliance and autonomy: the mantra “I decide what’s true for me.” • Religious trappings: beautiful buildings, favorite traditions, even Christian symbols when they eclipse Christ Himself. Warning Signs We Have Forged an Idol • Our thoughts drift to it first in the morning and last at night (Psalm 16:7–8). • We sacrifice time, family, integrity, or health to obtain or protect it (Matthew 6:24). • Anxiety spikes when it is threatened (Isaiah 26:3). • Obedience to God feels negotiable if it endangers the idol (Colossians 3:5). • Praise and gratitude naturally flow toward the idol instead of toward God (Romans 1:25). How to Dethrone Today’s Idols 1. Expose them in light of Scripture—name them, don’t excuse them (Hebrews 4:12–13). 2. Repent and confess specifically to God and trusted believers (1 John 1:9; James 5:16). 3. Replace the idol with deliberate worship: prayer, song, Scripture meditation (Psalm 115:1). 4. Redirect resources—time, talent, treasure—toward God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:19–21). 5. Cultivate gratitude for Christ’s sufficiency; He is “the radiance of God’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3). The Freedom of Worshiping the True God • He alone satisfies the deep hunger idols promise to fill (John 6:35). • He secures us with an inheritance that can’t be stolen, hacked, or deflated (1 Peter 1:3–4). • He transforms us into His likeness, not lifeless metal, by His Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17–18). Let every substitute be unmasked; the living God is not like gold or silver, and in Him alone our hearts find rest. |
    |