Idolatry, Conformity,Division Amidst Spiritual War

Sin is a short word for the darker side of human nature. When it all boils down, we're pretty much talking monkeys, hence the phrase, "monkey see, monkey do." I use this in the sense that two things in particular can play a vital role in our innate urges to rebel or bend the rules. Those two things are conformity and idolatry.

"The essence of sin is idolatry, in which people refuse to give thanks and praise to the one and only God, and worship the creature rather than the Creator." –ESV Bible Notes

Chances are well and good that I will say this in all, if not many of my faith based writings: we are at war. With Hell and with ourselves. More often than is pleasant to think of, we are our own worst enemy. Hell can only speak into your ears, but you can control the limbs. Each and every one of us is guilty to whatever extent of sin. My words are simply meant to encourage thought and morality in the modern world, even if only a few people of the current billion read them.

To conform is to be destroyed(Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 2:15-17, James 4:4) Society is what teaches you to conform, but why would you? Why should you? You have the ability to be so much more. Society when broken down is the twisted offspring of human history. To conform is to covet, to desire to be like something or someone. It is the lesser form of idolatry, which is to say, is the enemy's distraction from God. Conformity on its own goes in every direction: whether in politics, pop culture, or even religion. For example, personally I am wholly against the concept of denominations in the Christian faith(1 Corinthians 1:10-13). We are all followers of the same great God that bestows on us our daily lives. Then there are politics and pop culture...such human things...

It never ceases to amaze me that people will blindly follow their chosen media, their favored politician, or celebrity icon. We're willing to watch them, listen to them and agree with their every word. Yet day in a day out we struggle with sin, and we barely take notice with a second glance or thought. I ask those of you who take such simplistic interest in these matters: Do you fail to realize that they bleed just as you do? That they too are flawed in nature? I of course am not exempt; my words could be completely because I just felt like writing something for the sake of showing that I care about our sick world, and not to make the reader think. 

Such people as Bill O'Reilly, Michael Moore, or [insert politicians name here] who allow their pride, conformity and idolatry to cloud their judgment for whatever cause they claim to fight for. As always, there are the ones among us who are deluded with pride; pride spoon fed to them by their followers. One of my favorite verses is Habakkuk 2:18: "What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols!"

    "ye have made yourselves a God of gold and silver; and from the idolater how differ ye, save that he    one, and ye a hundred worship?"- Dante's Inferno, Canto 19, lines 112-114

Why base your opinions on the biased and ignorant ideas of people who are in it for fame and fortune? Who merely speak words already spoken by humble humans who actually mean or meant well, twisting them into paraphrased ramblings of hatred and intolerance? Seek out wisdom on your own terms, through neutral sources of information. If there are no neutral sources, collect what info you can about said issue from both sides of the argument, and then through what you are taught by scripture, formulate your opinions. 

                                     "In the age of information, ignorance is a choice."

The enemy uses our interests to distract and divide us from the real issues at hand. Why proclaim yourself one man made denomination while denouncing all who slightly differ, when you each worship the same God. Who cares where you are on the political spectrum? We're all on the same currently but slowly sinking ship. And instead of relying on a biased media, do all in your power to seek the truth as a means to seek proper justice. Why argue over such human matters? Because it's in our nature? No. It is in our nature to question. I encourage this. But I also encourage that you direct it towards much more dangerous matters. The real enemy is at the gates of the mind and body, in which your soul dwells. 

To rely on idols is to blind yourself on unfamiliar roads that can lead anywhere (Jonah 2:8). To conform to the sinfulness of the world is to latch yourself to human wool as a way of living, rather than living as the Lord our God intended (Colossians 2:8).

Truly tap in to the potential that God gave you. To live at a constant attempt to reach 100%. Allow yourself to grow and flourish as He intended. Not in sin, but in virtue. A life that makes God proud and leaves you smiling is a life well lived. Understand that you are human and therefore flawed. That you will never acquire self-perfection. But also that you have the potential to simply lead a decent existence. Listen only to those who base opinion on fact, rather than the other way around. Pursue wisdom on your on terms, through and in the name of God.