By Tope BANSO
“For they go up to their roofs and bow to the sun, moon, and stars. They claim to follow the LORD, but then they worship Molech, too. So now I will destroy them!” (Zephaniah 1:5 New Living Translation)
Monotheism is the belief in or worship of one God. Polytheism is the belief in or worship of multiple gods. Those who practise polytheism may believe in God, but they also believe in other gods. This is idolatry. Polytheism is man’s invention; monotheism is God’s command.
In the Ten Commandments, God says, “Do not worship any other gods besides me” (Exodus 20:3 New Living Translation). God says, in Isaiah 45:21, that there is is no other God besides Him.
God is a jealous God. He condemns idolatry. Exodus 34:14 says we should not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Repeatedly, the Bible describes God as a jealous God (Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 4:24, 5:9, 6:15; Joshua 24:19; Nahum 1:2).
God does not condone polytheism. Talking about the coming judgment of Judah, Zephaniah 1:5 says, “For they go up to their roofs and bow to the sun, moon, and stars. They claim to follow the LORD, but then they worship Molech, too. So now I will destroy them!” (New Living Translation) Molech was the god of the Ammonites (1 Kings 11:33).
The people of Judah mixed the worship of the True God with the worship of foreign gods. Judah and Israel were both guilty of this. Consequently, God judged them and they were taken into captivity.
There are many today who claim to be worshipping God, through Jesus Christ, but also worship other gods. Are you worshipping God alone or you’re worshipping other gods in addition? Are you serving another god together with the Living God?
You can’t serve two masters (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24 New Living Translation). You can’t be calling the name of Jesus and be worshipping at the altar of Baal – you can’t be bowing before an idol in one shrine. If Jesus is not enough for you, nothing else will satisfy you!
Prophet Elijah told the people of Israel, at Mount Carmel, “How much will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” (1 Kings 18:21 New Living Translation) They didn’t answer him.
Worship God alone through Jesus Christ. Don’t worship any graven image or the modern gods – self, money, fame, power, etc. Anything that comes ahead of God in your life is an idol. Whatever you desire more than God is your god. God says you should worship Him alone (Exodus 20:2-6). Let that satisfy you.
Stop any religious adventure that would take you to hellfire. If you’ve committed your heart to serve Jesus, don’t mix anything with him. If you’ve not given your heart to Jesus, accept him as your Lord and Saviour now and serve him wholeheartedly.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I shall worship only You. I shall desire nothing above You.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please share.
▪Banso, an Abuja-based minister can be reached at cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com
Tel No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947