Idolatry is a subtle and fierce enemy of our souls. Last Sunday morning we examined the dangers of idolatry as we continued our journey through the book of Exodus (listen here). Clearly during the first plague as the Nile River turned into blood (Exodus 7:17) Yahweh demonstrated His superiority over the false gods of the Nile. This would be a very disturbing event to ancient Egyptians because they saw the Nile as their greatest land mark and the source of their agricultural and economic well-being. As a culture they were perhaps the most polytheistic people of their time. To this day we are not certain exactly how many false gods they worshipped. Some scholars put the total at around eighty.

When you stop and think about it, the Egyptians were idolators on a massive scale, but at least they were honest about their worshipping many 'gods'. We often do the same thing without realizing or admitting it. Idolatry entangles us every time we place something in our hearts above Yahweh. Tim Keller has done extensive work in this area, you can find out more about it here. On Sunday I referred to a list Keller put together of contemporary idols that 21st century Americans tend to worship. Many of you have asked for that list. Here it is:

Let's continue this journey together as we fight against our tendency to find significance, safety, fulfillment or hope in anything aside from Yahweh. The irony is this; the thing each idol promises is the exact thing it cannot deliver. We need to stop seeking help where no help can be found (Isaiah 55:2).