<–back to Flesh v/s Spirit Main
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Idolatry – putting any person, thing, or activity before God and our responsibilities as wives and Mothers.
Your first thought may be idol worship. You are correct. However, this is not exclusive to a statue. There are many things that can be idols in our lives. Let’s go over some examples. Please don’t limit this to what I mention in this devotional. You may be dealing with something I do not mention.
People: We love our husbands and children very much. Many of us may even love them more than God without even realizing it. For example, if you choose to not go to church because your husband doesn’t like to go. You are putting him before God. If you allow your children to use up all of your time and then make that your excuse for not spending time with God. You are putting your children before God. You can make time if you really wanted to.
This area is not only for people that we let take our time away from God. It is also for people that we put before our responsibilities. If our children or friends prevent us from being good wives then we must put them in their proper place. If our friends or family (including your Mother) are preventing us from doing our jobs as wives and Mothers then they must be put in their proper place in our lives.
Here is how it should look:
#1 – GOD
#2 – Husband
#3 – Children
The greatest gifts we can ever give our children is to be in proper alignment, walk with God, and be wives that are pleasing to the Lord.
Activities: This is an area that I have had trouble with many times. Nothing should be more important than spending time with God. Nothing should take so much of our time that we neglect our children or home. Here’s an example…
If I spend so much time on it that I don’t wash the laundry then I have put the computer before my husband and God. God, because I am not being a good wife. My husband, because I know how important it is for him to come home to a clean house…even if he doesn’t say so.
Let’s say I get my chores done but I stick my kid in front of the TV for hours and do what I want or what I “need” to do. I am putting whatever it is before God and my children. God, because I am not being the best Mother I can be. My children, because they don’t really have me. I am basically ignoring them or only giving them what’s left over. Our children deserve more than our leftovers.
Don’t get me wrong, some of us need to work. However, if work comes before what God has called us to be [wives and Mothers] then we are putting work before all of it. Including God. We must have balance. We must make sure that our children really know us and we know them. We must listen to them…really listen. Not just half listen and say, “Uh Huh.” We need to play with them, laugh with them, and get down to their level.
We’ll stop here. I have a feeling that we will talk more about idolatry tomorrow.
Let’s pray,
Daddy God, thank You for Your Word and Truth. I want nothing to exalt itself above You. I want my life to be well balanced. Help me to know when I am putting anything before You or the responsibilities to my husband and children. Thank You for the gift of my husband and children. Thank You that you gave them to me. Help me to keep my priorities straight. Thank You. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.
In His Love and Service,
Lara ;)
Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved
Leave a Reply