Devotions this week based on the Message: “Counterfeit Gods: Getting Rid of Counterfeit Gods”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Tim Keller entitled, Counterfeit Gods.
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
We all wish it would end.
We’re tired of the disruption to life. We’re tired of the debate about masks and vaccines. We hate the divide it has caused in our country. We’re wearied by people we love being sick and some dying. We’re challenged what data and what information to believe and follow.
It just gets hard. The struggle is hard. So it’s easy to give up.
CoVid 19 is a small struggle compared to the daily struggle we have against counterfeit gods. Over the past few weeks we have allowed God’s Spirit to do spiritual surgery and uncover the idols of relationships, finances, success, and religious practices. It’s not fun to have that spiritual surgery done on our hearts.
Once you recognize a counterfeit god in your life, I pray the reaction is, “How do I get rid of it?” This week we will explore that question with three answers.
But today I want you to engage in the struggle to identify and get rid of counterfeit gods. So let me be upfront with two things.
First, the struggle is ongoing. Just because you read a few devotions, listened to a few messages and read the book, doesn’t mean the struggle against counterfeit gods is going to end. Consider these words from the Apostle Paul:
Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Paul knew the struggle against sin in general and counterfeit gods, the loyalty of his heart would not be a quick overnight shift.
Second, the struggle is worth it.
Jesus said, “7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).
God promises blessings to the one who engages in the battle over counterfeit gods. Because the one who overcomes, he gives the blessing to eat from the tree of life which is in heaven. The result of faith that leads us to love God with all of our hearts, soul, mind and strength is eternity in heaven.
Don’t give up. The struggle is worth it. Notice the struggle today. Read this week’s devotions to help you overcome counterfeit gods in your life. Share these devotions with friends!
Apply: Go back and look at the archives on this series. What are the idols lurking with you that with the Spirit’s help this week’s devotions you can overcome? Here’s the link to the blog site: https://crosspointgtx.wpengine.com/grow/news/blog/
Prayer: Lord, give me strength for the struggle against counterfeit gods. Help me remove and replace them with only your truth and strength! AMEN