Overcoming Idolatry in Corporate Worship: A Heart Issue

Idolatry in Corporate Worship

When it comes to worshiping God, our greatest hindrance doesn’t lie outside us, but within our own hearts. It’s the problem of idolatry. Idolatry is the act of placing anything other than God at the center of our hearts and lives. It is the sin of worshiping false gods, and it is a sin that has plagued humanity since the beginning of time.

As Christians, we know that we are called to worship God alone, yet we often fall into the trap of worshiping other things. We might worship our jobs, our families, our possessions, or even ourselves. And when we gather with the church for corporate worship, our idolatry can rear its ugly head in ways we might not even realize.

What is Corporate Worship?

Before we dive into the problem of idolatry in corporate worship, let’s first define what we mean by corporate worship. Corporate worship is the act of worshiping God together with other believers. It is a time when we gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ to sing praise to God, hear from his word, and respond in prayer and obedience.

Corporate worship is an important part of the Christian life. It reminds us that we are not alone in our faith and that we are part of a larger body of believers. It also helps us to grow in our understanding of God and to deepen our relationship with him.

The Problem of Idolatry in Corporate Worship

When we gather for corporate worship, we are entering into a sacred space. We are entering into the presence of God, and we are called to worship him alone. However, our hearts are often divided. We might come to church with our minds on other things, distracted by the cares of this world. Or we might come to church with our hearts set on something other than God.

This is where idolatry comes in. When we place anything other than God at the center of our hearts, we are committing the sin of idolatry. And when we gather for corporate worship, our idols can become even more apparent.

For example, we might come to church with our minds set on our jobs. We might be worried about a project that is due on Monday, or we might be distracted by the prospect of a promotion. When we come to church with our minds set on our jobs, we are not fully present in the moment. We are not fully engaged in worshiping God.

Or we might come to church with our hearts set on our possessions. We might be proud of our new car or our expensive watch, and we might be thinking about how we can show them off to others. When we come to church with our hearts set on our possessions, we are not fully focused on God. We are more concerned with impressing others than with worshiping God.

These are just a few examples of how idolatry can creep into our corporate worship. But the problem goes deeper than just our distractions or our pride. Idolatry is a heart issue, and it is something that we need to deal with if we want to worship God in spirit and in truth.

What Does the Bible Say About Idolatry?

The Bible has a lot to say about idolatry. Throughout the Old Testament, we see the Israelites struggling with idolatry. They would worship other gods, even though they knew that God had commanded them to worship him alone.

In Exodus 20:3-5, God commands the Israelites: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.”

Despite this clear command, the Israelites often turned to other gods. In 1 Kings 18, we see the prophet Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal, who were worshiping a false god. Elijah challenges them, saying, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).

The New Testament also speaks to the problem of idolatry. In Colossians 3:5, Paul writes, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

Here, Paul equates covetousness with idolatry. Covetousness is the desire to have more, to possess things that we don’t really need. When we covet, we are putting our desire for possessions above our desire for God. We are worshiping the false god of materialism.

How to Overcome Idolatry in Corporate Worship

So, how can we overcome our tendency toward idolatry in corporate worship? How can we ensure that we are worshiping God alone?

1. Examine Your Heart

The first step is to examine your heart. Ask yourself, “What is at the center of my heart? Am I worshiping God alone, or am I worshiping something else?”

This can be a difficult question to answer, but it is an important one. Take some time to pray and reflect, asking God to reveal any idols in your heart. Confess any sin that he brings to your attention, and ask him to help you to put him first in your life.

2. Prepare Your Heart

Another important step is to prepare your heart for worship. Before you even enter the church building, take some time to pray and reflect on God’s goodness and greatness. Read some Scripture, sing a hymn, or simply sit in silence and meditate on God’s love for you.

By preparing your heart in this way, you will be better able to focus on God during the worship service. You will be less likely to be distracted by other things, and more likely to worship God with your whole heart.

3. Engage with the Service

When you are in the worship service, make an effort to engage with what is happening. Sing the songs, listen to the sermon, and respond in prayer and obedience. Don’t let your mind wander or your heart be distracted by other things.

One way to engage with the service is to actively participate in the singing. Even if you don’t have a great singing voice, make an effort to sing out and participate in the worship. Singing is a powerful way to express our love for God and to unite with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

4. Seek Accountability

Finally, seek accountability in your worship. Find a friend or a small group of believers who can help you to stay focused on God. Share your struggles with them, and ask them to pray for you and to hold you accountable in your worship.

By seeking accountability, you will be better able to overcome your tendency toward idolatry. You will have a support system in place to help you stay focused on God and to worship him alone.

Conclusion

Idolatry is a problem that we all struggle with, and it can be especially difficult to overcome in corporate worship. But by examining our hearts, preparing ourselves for worship, engaging with the service, and seeking accountability, we can overcome our idols and worship God in spirit and in truth.

Let us remember the words of Exodus 20:3-5: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.”

May our hearts be filled with a love for God that is greater than any other love. May we worship him alone, and may our corporate worship be a reflection of our love for him.