But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
In order to cast down our idols, we have to know what they are.
Some things are just such a part of our lives,
we don’t even notice they might hinder our relationship with God.
When we think of idols, we might think of a statue of Buddha
or some other god.
Idols are anything that we put above God.
Anything we spend our time and attention on ahead of Jesus.
And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.
And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.
For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; Colossians 1:17-19
Efforts in the world can also become idols.
If we spend all of our time and attention focusing on good deeds in the world,
we can miss the mark. The mark being focusing on Jesus Christ.
That is where obligation or idealizations of what we should be doing
may not be at all what Jesus wants us to do.
As always, check with Him. Make sure your efforts and your time are well spent.
The obligations the world or even the church or other people might put on us may be different from how the Lord wants us to spend our time and efforts.
This is why it is so important to seek Him, to continue to hear from Him
as to how you spend your time and attention and talents.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said,
Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?
bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her,
Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part,
which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:40-42
Dinner had to be made and the dishes had to be done.
Martha was not spending her time wisely.
Jesus wasn’t going to be there forever.
Martha put all those chores above spending time with the Lord.
He did say But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matt. 23:11
so Jesus highly values servitude.
Serving the Lord, that is spending time with Him in prayer
as well as just spending time with Him is also a form of servitude.
Jesus likes to spend time with us.
Which brings us back to keeping Him as the focus, not letting idolatry creep in
even though some things might be seemingly important.
Mary was spending time with the Lord first. He was her priority.
Think of dedicating the firstfruits of your time to the Lord each day.
Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Proverbs 3:9
While this scripture is famous for its application to money,
consider it for all things including time,
giving the Lord the firstfruits of your time each day:
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts,
if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing,
that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10
Always give God your best. With that concept, it will be easier to recognize idols.