FORTIFY YOUR MARRIAGE BY REJECTING SENSELESS IDOLATRY
In harmony with true love of God and neighbor, the Scriptures encourage us to “flee from idolatry.” (1Cor 10:14). How is it detrimental to our life, our worship, and our relationships with God and others? Also, how could it interfere with the marital relationship? Let’s investigate this matter of urgency.
Fortify Your Marriage by Rejecting Senseless Idolatry
1. Why is it so much better to trust in Jehovah rather than a spiritually lifeless idol?
1. TRUST AND HONOR JEHOVAH.
Who or what should we place trust in the most? Many realize that God has supplied abundant evidence of His trustworthiness and that of His word, the Bible. Who would want to lift up a lifeless or false idol to worship, when the true God Jehovah stands eager to love and refresh us with true satisfaction and happiness? True Christians are commanded to flee from all forms of idolatry. (1Cor 10:14). Isn't Jehovah, our Life-giver, the One worthy to receive our adoration and worship? Notice the proverbial statements of Proverbs 3:5-10: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways take notice of him, And he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not become wise in your own eyes. Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad. 8 It will be a healing to your body And refreshment for your bones. 9 Honor Jehovah with your valuable things, With the firstfruits of all your produce; 10 Then your storehouses will be completely filled, And your vats will overflow with new wine." Since Jehovah is so eager to bless our efforts to love and honor Him, why should we give undue or excessive attention to other persons or things that could serve as idols to us, and ensnare us spiritually? Or, for those married, how can both persons understand the seriousness of this trap? First, what is idolatry, and what forms might it take? How might it be disguised? And how can we be saved from this snare and remain obedient to God?
2. What are various forms of idolatry?
2. IDOLATRY DEFINED.
An idol is an image or representation of anything that is an object of (or is given) passionate devotion, material or spirited, like either some talent or one of God's good qualities. It can include anyone or anything that could receive excessive or undue attention or worship that is due only to our Maker, Jehovah. Notice the term "worship." Is it not similar to "warship"? If you were on a warship, serving to protect people globally, would you not want to listen carefully to all instruction from God, it's ultimate protector, and His chosen captain, and follow such guidance, in the loving interests of all? If someone unrightly claimed God's position, would there not be confusion and eventual corruption of vital direction? Instead, remaining loyal brings peaceful cooperation among all aboard. Thus, an idolatrous side of the world alienated from God may give excessive attention, praise, even worship to prominent ungodly notions or perhaps persons in the media in general, often due to a fine talent of some sort that may be worthy of some commendation, but which talent should be recognized as being ultimately received from God himself, man's Maker. While some whom God blesses are worthy of fair attention, those whom God would honor tend to direct or redirect attention above, as the Bible book of James makes mention of "the Father of the (stars)." Also, Colossians 3:5 references greed, saying: "which is idolatry." Thus any pleasure rightly enjoyed by humans as a gift from God could be given excessive attention beyond the bounds of reason, even greedily, and become an idol of worship, or, one's own belly could be considered the idol (Philippians 3:18-19). Clearly, for instance, while an activity one enjoys can really agree with God's will, on the other hand a hobby or some form of recreation could go beyond and become an obsession. Notice how unchristian practices or even normal God-approved desires could be given excessive attention, perhaps with greed, and become an idolatrous snare: Colossians 3:5-6 says "Deaden, therefore, your body members (as a human) as respects immoral sex (fn., rather reserved for marriage), filthiness, limitless sexual passion, desire to harm, and greed, which is idolatry.6 On account of those things the wrath of God is coming."
3. What response to practices of idolatry mentioned in God's word may encourage ones to abandon the practice?
3. CORRECTING PAST ERROR.
Therefore, what should be our response? If you've fallen to such practices in the past, you must be mindful of God's great love for you and mercy--He desires your repentance. Why is this necessary? Careful examination of this wrongdoing reveals the stain and pain caused by it--such practices do harm to others and yourself. What we need to be truly happy is found within God's law, not without it. Make sure you have determined the source, or root cause, of the idolatry. Then, as Acts 3:19 puts it: "Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out, that seasons of refreshing may come from Jehovah himself." Notice how Colossians 3:7-11 continues: "That is how you too used to conduct yourselves in your former way of life.8 But now you must put them all away from you: wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of your mouth.9 Do not lie to one another. Strip off the old personality with its practices,10 and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it,11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew...but Christ is all things and in all." We are to remove badness, so Christian endurance or integrity to God is involved. Notice the mindset we should have in the words leading up to the command to flee idolatry in 1Corinthians 10:12-14: "So let the one who thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to men. But God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it. 14 Therefore, my beloved ones, flee from idolatry." We need not accomplish this only in our own power. As Philippians 4:13 states: "For all things I have the strength through the One who gives me power." Thus, as you endure you should let God "himself finish your training. He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you." (1Pet 5:10).
4. How does Psalm 115 address the true lifelessness of idols, and the danger to those trusting in them?
4. DISAPPOINTING CONSEQUENCES OF IDOLATRY.
Notice how Psalm 115 describes the spiritual lifelessness of idols, and the trap of trusting in them: Psalm 115:1-11 says "Not to us, O Jehovah, not to us, But to your name give glory Because of your loyal love and your faithfulness. 2 Why should the nations say:“Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in the heavens;He does whatever he pleases. 4 Their idols are silver and gold,The work of human hands. 5 A mouth they have, but they cannot speak; Eyes, but they cannot see; 6 Ears they have, but they cannot hear;A nose, but they cannot smell; 7 Hands they have, but they cannot feel; Feet, but they cannot walk; They make no sound with their throat. 8 The people who make them will become just like them, As will all those who trust in them. 9 O Israel, trust in Jehovah—He is their help and their shield.10 O house of Aaron, trust in Jehovah—He is their help and their shield.11 You who fear Jehovah, trust in Jehovah—He is their help and their shield." Those trusting in idols may not spiritually be able to see the truth that would otherwise be clear to them, or hear, understand, or speak the truth in line with Jehovah. How much better to trust in Jehovah and remain alert spiritually! Husbands and wives benefit greatly as each one encourages the other to serve Jehovah faithfully, steering clear of idolatry. In doing so they are showing honor to the Originator of marriage and the family arrangement. They are also helping each other to remain clear-sighted, and able to truly listen to one another in truth and respond appropriately to needs. Of course, this applies to those who are truly married from God’s standpoint, one husband married to one wife, limiting sexual relations thereto, and married in accord with the law of the land where they may be living (Matthew 19:3-9).
5. What are some blessings of putting our complete trust in Jehovah God?
5. BLESSINGS INSTEAD.
What blessings may we have for putting our worshipful trust only in Jehovah, and not idols? Notice how Psalm 115 continues, in verses 12-18: "12 Jehovah remembers us and will bless; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. 13 He will bless those who fear Jehovah, the small as well as the great. 14 Jehovah will give you an increase, To you and your children. 15 May you be blessed by Jehovah, The Maker of heaven and earth. 16 As for the heavens, they belong to Jehovah, But the earth he has given to the sons of men. 17 The dead do not praise Jah; Nor do any who go down into the silence of death. 18 But we will praise Jah From now on and forever. Praise Jah!" The blessings mentioned in Psalm 34 can also apply, such as in verses 6-10: "This lowly one called, and Jehovah heard. He saved him from all his distresses. 7 The angel of Jehovah camps all around those fearing Him, And he rescues them. 8 Taste and see that Jehovah is good; Happy is the man who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear Jehovah, all you his holy ones, For those who fear him lack nothing. 10 Even strong young lions have been reduced to hunger, But those seeking Jehovah will lack nothing good." The blessings of Jehovah are endless for those loving Him and serving Him faithfully. Those doing so may have increase by Jehovah, be saved from distress, be protected spiritually, enjoy true happiness, and may come to lack nothing good, among other things, leading to endless life of blessings in peace.
6,7. (a) According to God's word, how serious is the sin of idolatry? (b) What attitudes and desires of the world will soon pass away?
6. SERIOUS SIN.
After considering the foregoing, it may not come as a shock that idolatry is listed among serious sins that could cause one to be expelled from the true Christian congregation, or barred from entry into the Kingdom of God. The one committing idolatry is near to actually committing spiritual immorality or fornication, or for one in a dedicated relationship with God, spiritual adultery. At James 4:4, James calls fellow Christians "adulteresses" for wanting to be a friend of the ungodly world of that day. Of course true Christians are to love people, including the entire world of mankind as God does (John 3:16). But the ungodly system of things of much of the world alienated from God, that has been under influence of one opposing God, true Christians are to be no part of, as stated at James 1:27. There we read: "The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the (world, or 'ungodly system')." We are to be unblemished by the ungodly attitudes, morals and desires of the system around us, which John calls "the things in the (ungodly system)," or together encompassing "everything in the (ungodly system)." We are warned at 1John 2:15-17: "Do not love either the (ungodly system) or the things in the (ungodly system). If anyone loves the (ungodly system), the love of the Father is not in him; 16 because everything in the (ungodly system)—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the (ungodly system). 17 Furthermore, the (ungodly system) is passing away and so is its desire, but the one (which) does the will of God remains forever."
7. AVOID WRONG DESIRES.
John boils the ungodliness of the world down to three prominent but wrong desires: the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and (literally) the "bragging about one's possessions," which can include one's own talents or abilities. These desires can contribute to many wrong actions or other desires. These may remind one of the "works of the flesh" detailed in Galatians 5:19-21, which includes "idolatry," and which is opposed to the fruitage of the spirit in verses 22 and 23, of "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control." All of the works of the flesh are said to prohibit one from inheriting God's Kingdom (Gal 5:21). However, Galatians 5:17 says: "Keep walking by spirit and you will carry out no fleshly desire at all." We should remember that God gives holy spirit to those “asking Him” for it, and to those “obeying Him as ruler.” (Luke 11:13; Acts 5:32).
8. What important aspect of true love can aid married persons toward a restored relationship, and how?
8. LOYALTY IN MARRIAGE.
So if married, how should we react to such knowledge? There is an important aspect of true love that moves one to act loyally toward one's marriage partner, not giving up easily on the relationship, but rather sticking with the other person with blazing hope of repairing the relationship, perhaps even through serious infractions--the truly loyal partner will try using God-approved means to raise the other up, praying for God's assistance, helping the erring one to recover spiritually, and enjoying the blessings of a restored relationship (Eccl 4:9,10; James 5:14,15). This loyalty in love has been variously translated as "long-suffering" or "patience," but in actuality is the "loyal" in the expression "loyal love." The term should be used with reference to an overriding loyalty to God and His will. We show loyalty toward another by helping that one to be loyal to God. Of course, the erring one must want to change, repenting sincerely from the wrong course and turning to respect and reverence for the true God and His word, virtue, and law. Psalm 18:25 reveals how God feels about one showing this loyalty in their relationships: "With someone loyal you act in loyalty;With the blameless man you deal blamelessly." We can become reasonably blameless by loyally seeking integrity to God--learning His right standards and endeavoring to keep them. In return God is patient and loyal toward us, as we continually improve in our friendship with Him.
9. Why is it more than appropriate to safeguard a marriage covenant?
9. SAFEGUARD MARRIAGE.
Of course, being blameless in God's eyes would include marital fidelity, which has been under attack earth-wide by an influence opposing God's rightful rule. Marriage is a treasured gift from God, to be honored by all persons. "Let marriage be honorable among all, and the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers." (Heb 13:4). Marriage is one of mankind's oldest institutions (Gen 2:18-24). It is a covenant making possible a truly happy family life with children having a secure environment to be raised to maturity. This arrangement has worked wonderfully for thousands of years, adding to the happiness of the human family. Thus, God says, at Malachi 2:15,16 "'Guard yourselves respecting your spirit, and do not deal treacherously with the wife of your youth. For I hate divorce,' says Jehovah the God of Israel." Therefore, when both married partners are believing Christians, 1Corinthians 7:10,11 says this: "To the married people I give instructions, not I but the Lord, that a wife should not separate from her husband. But if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled with her husband; and a husband should not leave his wife." Clearly the covenant of marriage should be respected by all Christians, and it is not anticipated that a believing Christian should commit any type of fornication, which is the only grounds for a divorce, as stated by Jesus: "I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality[or, "fornication"], and marries another commits adultery.”
10. What is recommended when only one in a marriage is a believing Christian?
10. ONE BELIEVING CHRISTIAN.
When only one in a marriage is a believing Christian, what encouragement is given in God's word? Notice how God's word continues at 1Corinthians 7:12-16: "But to the others I say, yes, I, not the Lord: If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is agreeable to staying with him, let him not leave her; 13 and if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is agreeable to staying with her, let her not leave her husband. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in relation to his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in relation to the brother; otherwise, your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving one chooses to depart, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not bound under such circumstances, but God has called you to peace.16 For wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Or, husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife?" This set of Scripture shows that it is likely that an unbeliever may be committing some degree of idolatry or spiritual fornication, however that one is sanctified by the believing mate, and any children are considered holy. So the recommendation is to remain with the unbeliever if possible, considering that there is hope in time of genuine repentance and turning to God with greater respect for His word, virtue, and law. In certain circumstances, the scriptural provision of separation may be used for protecting the faithful mate's spirit while the other receives needed assistance and encouragement.
11. Why is it beneficial to avoid works that God considers bad, and how might we show we treasure good relationships?
11. OVERCOME "WORKS OF FLESH."
Therefore if any married person is falling into practice of any of the works of the flesh outlined at Galatians 5:19-21, may the person recognize the seriousness of the matter. Certainly Jehovah knows, and there is generally no hiding of these practices, as the scripture says: "Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, 20 idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these." As the scripture cautions: "I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God's Kingdom." Each of these practices can be overcome with God's help and assistance from God's word and literature designed to aid understanding of God's word. Gaining the proper fear of God, determined to hate all badness as He does, and regarding highly God's law can move us to understand the meaning of each of these dead works so we can avoid them, while cultivating the fruitage of God's spirit found at Galatians 5:22,23. Remember that God has good reason for determining some practice to be bad--it almost invariably will be harmful in some way to our relationship with God and others, including our marriage partner. To maintain our spiritual health and good friendships with others we should avoid all such practices with integrity. If married, aim to treasure your marriage covenant while your partner aims to do the same in harmony with true love. Assist one another loyally to be faithful to God. Hopefully good marriages can be protected and treasured for all the efforts each mate has put into genuine love for each other. So flee all forms of idolatry and safeguard your relationships with God and others.