Aug 11 - Psalm 81:11-12

But no, my people

wouldn’t listen.

So I let them follow

their own stubborn desires,

living according to

their own ideas.

Psalm 81:11-12

Yesterday I claimed that people worship three "false gods."

 

The first is direct -- though often oblivious -- blaspheme. It is worshiping Satan himself. For example, Canaan's god -- Baal -- was Satan himself. Worshiping the gods of culture is often the easiest -- though often oblivious -- path to following darkness. 

 

But that's not what this verse is about. It's about the other two false gods -- self and selfish desires. 

Distinguish between the two. One is willful. The other is weak. 

Worshiping self is willful. We do things our way. We follow our our thoughts and feelings ... and we do it when the "authorities" in our life have encouraged us to do otherwise. That's willful. It's the second half of this verse: "I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas."

 

Living according to our own ideas is willful rebellion and worship of the self. It is thumbing our nose at the rules, laws, wishes, and wisdom of the "authorities" in our lives. These authorities include God, parents, teachers, bosses, and governments. Ignoring the commands of God is obviously rebellion -- and it is sadly all too common. But scripture tells us that God generally placed all of these other authorities over us. And unless they are in outright rebellion against God, it is our responsibility to follow them. And when we don't, we are in willful disobedience to God. 

The seek form of rebellion is characterized by weakness. It is the first half of this statement: I let them follow their own ... desires. How often are we driven by laziness, pride, lust, appetites, envy, greed, or anger? Driven! That's the word for it. We know in our head that we should act, but we do it anyway. We are weak. Addicted. Insecure. And irrationally desperate. We compromise, fudge, rebel, and mostly just stumble blindly. Often it's not willful, it's just habit. We're weak. And it usually takes major discipline to affect change ... and most of us just aren't that committed. Thus, we worship the gods of comfort, convenience, weakness, helplessness, blindness, excuses, and defeat. 

The first step toward healing -- a good doctor would tell us -- is a good diagnosis. I know you want to worship God. You wouldn't be reading this if you didn't. Nevertheless, as part of your diagnosis and healing, in what areas are you willful ... or weak?

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to

worship a capital-"G",

rather than a capital-"Me"

("G" for God, rather than gods)