To truly be effective as Christians, we've got to get everything out of the way and put Jesus Christ first in our lives...
I Samuel 5:3-4 - And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. 4And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
A very interesting account indeed. Look at the power that this idol had when put into proximity with God--absolutely none. In fact, first the idol fell down, and, get this now, they had to pick their own "god" up and set it back where it had fallen from. Next, the power of God destroyed the idol by cutting off its head and its hands, leaving it without authority or power.
Now, we may not have idols made of wood, stone, gold, or silver propped up on the fireplace of our homes next to our kids' graduation pictures or on the mantle by those Christmas picture-cards we get every year, but we often do prop up idols in our hearts and minds.
Idolatry is simply putting anything before God in our lives. That doesn't have to be some figurine we bow down to, but can be something innocuous such as a job, a relationship, etc...In fact, the greatest form of idolatry is self-worship, putting ourselves before God. That, unfortunately isn't all that difficult to do...
But as with Dagon, the answer lies in the power of God. Through His Spirit and our own determination and effort, we can break down the idols in our lives, just as Gideon tore down the idol of Baal in Judges 6:25-31. Those things we put into God's position as first in our lives can be taken away, but it takes effort on our part.
II Corinthians 10:4-5 - (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Take this as a challenge. Look at the thing that is most difficult to give to God and start telling that thing "no." Maybe it's hard to be faithful to the house of God, maybe you know you should be attending that fellowship group or Bible study group, perhaps your job is taking a little too much focus or there may be some friends whom you know you should pull away from in order to get close to God. Whatever the case, start giving that thing to God, start tearing down those things and watch them take a nosedive from their high place in your life. Then, put Jesus Christ in that place of high authority in your life and watch the incredible results that ensue!!!
