The Local Idolater

Ephesians 5:3-5

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, nor of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person-- such a man is an idolater-- has any inheritance in the kingdom of God.

When you think of idolatry, what comes to mind. If you are like me, you picture someone wearing a toga bowing down to a statue that has been overlaid in 14 karat gold. Is that just me? Anyway, the concept of idolatry is much wider and much different than the little movie that plays in my head. So how do you define idolatry the way the Bible defines it? Here you go: Idolatry is the act of placing anything or anyone ahead of God. In other words, if God isn't the most important thing in your life, then whatever has replaced Him has become an idol-- and you have become an idolater.

What is it that you place before God in your life?

Now that we have semantics out of the way, let's talk about Paul. Paul gives us a very broad definition of idolatry, and talks about some sins that he considers idolatry. It was a little surprising to me.
Did you know that if you are living a sexually immoral lifestyle that you are guilty of idolatry? Essentially, if you are involved in this type of behavior, you have placed your own pleasure above all else and whether you realize it or not, it has become your god. Other kinds of impurity works the same way in Paul's definition.
Then comes greed, a sin of the heart. The lie that you tell yourself when you think someone owes you something. You elevate your desires and even yourself above where God is.

So people who could be called idolaters aren't going to be found on the street corners bowing down to a golden statue of a cow, they will be found on your street, in normal looking homes, perhaps even in your own house. What will you do to battle the impurity, immorality, and greed that finds its way into your home and displaces God from your life.