How to Destroy an Idol: Repent

For the last 2 weeks (on Wednesdays), I have posted a blog series on idolatry. After explaining “How to Detect an Idol,” we considered “How to Destroy an Idol: Measure,” which was about measuring what your idols demand of you.

Each of the 4 ways we destroy idols will be summarized into one word. Today’s word is repent and the verse I want to consider is I Corinthians 10:14.

Paul told the Corinthians they were capable of victory over their idols, because they were not the only ones who have ever struggled with idolatry (I Cor 10:1-12). These narratives in the Bible are meant for our instruction. They are meant to guide us through victories and defeats. And the idolatry that the Hebrews struggled with the wilderness was not unique to them (I Cor 10:13).

So, because each temptation – or each idol – can be avoided and isn’t so strong that we cannot find our way of escape, we need to realize that we have what we need to avoid them – “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (I Cor 10:14). Paul says, “Flee from your idols.” We must repent of our idolatry to get out of our idolatry.

Now, repentance is more than feeling sorry for idolatry. It means we move away from them to something else.

Repentance is more than remorse. Genuine repentance includes the absence of idolatry and the presence of worshipping God. It includes genuine confession of idolatry to God and others, seeking forgiveness for our idolatry, leaving our idols, and living opposite to those idols.  

Repentance is not just emotion. Just because someone weeps over their idolatry does not mean they have genuinely repented. We know Judas felt incredibly remorseful over his betrayal of Christ…so much so that he hanged himself. Yet, we no Judas never truly repented from sin: he was called the son of perdition and Christ said it would have been good if he had never been born. Unless there is action accompanied by the remorse, it is not genuine repentance.

Run from your idols. Repent and run to something – or better said, someone – better.  Running from idolatry means you change your thinking about idols and then repent.

We cannot afford to be apathetic about our idols, because Satan does not believe in cease fires. He is ever active. God is on the move, and He is looking to build an idol factory in your heart. REPENT.