Death By Worship: The "Glory" Idol

Adam and Eve had a good thing going in the Garden of Eden. Walking with God was good. Communing with God was good. So why mess up a good thing? In the tragedy of the fall, Eve’s perspective of the tree was that it was “good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise.” (Gen. 3:6) The desire of the heart to have that which was forbidden outweighed God’s simple command to the couple. The act of disobedience felt like the right thing to do in that moment, yet after Adam and Eve sinned, they were introduced to the realization of shame and death – what life was like apart from the God of all good. The age-old problem of humanity is that we often take the mirrors from which we were meant to reflect God’s glory and stare too long back at ourselves. In essence, we are professional glory stealers.

"The age-old problem of humanity is that we often take the mirrors from which we were meant to reflect God’s glory and stare too long back at ourselves."

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In an idolatrous world, it’s simply in our nature to build idols. The little gods that we craft and build over time become these monstrous, yet extremely breakable kingdoms that feel impossible to escape. We are like little kids (or adults if you’re still into it) who build these magnificent Lego structures and end up hiding them away in a closet or safe space for no one to touch. We don’t want anyone to mess up what we see as a “good thing.” Idolatry at its core is moving the aim of our worship from Creator to creation. Because of sin, human nature is completely and utterly self-serving.

While I attended Liberty University, one of the greatest joys I had was helping to lead worship five times a week for the student body for four years. During my first year on the worship team, I can remember a very specific chapel service where God did a number on my heart. I was leading the song “Cannons” by Phil Wickham (throwback), and I caught myself thinking about just how good I was sounding on the chorus. It wasn’t three seconds later that I tried to jump up to a high G and experienced the biggest voice crack in all of history among the sea of 12,000 students. I was literally singing the line “forever my heart will sing of how great You are” – yet in that moment, my heart was singing about how great I thought I was.

The danger of the “Glory” idol is found in its ability to overpromise and underdeliver. Culture doesn’t do us any favors in this area, with its emphasis on bigger stages, more followers, and a larger influence. The world promises that if we build the brand, climb the ladder, or write the hit song, our hearts will find the satisfaction they desire. In the New Testament, Jesus asked:

 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matt. 16:26)

Jesus was flipping the script in His talk with the disciples. He said “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” To put it simply: the worship of self brings death. The worship of God brings life. I find it interesting that in the verse right before this well-known passage of Scripture, Jesus rebukes Peter and tells him “you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Peter was literally with Jesus Christ Himself, yet still fell into the trap of focusing on earthly and temporal things instead of heavenly and eternal things.

Augustine described that "the way to Christ is first through humility, second through humility, third through humility.” The greatest news in all of history is that Jesus paved a road for idolatrous sinners like you and me to look past the mountains of fleeting kingdoms and gaze upon the glory of God again. His death on the cross means life for sinners. The way of Jesus may be narrow, painful, and full of suffering, yet it leads us back to where we belong: into a right and satisfying relationship with our good God. And what a good thing that is. 

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Questions:

What are the little gods and idols that I’ve created that I need God to demolish?

Where are the hidden places in my heart that I need to let light in again?

Prayer:

O God of infinite goodness, would I echo the words of John when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Restore in my heart the joy of my purpose to worship You, walk with You, and commune with You. Thank You for the cross of Christ that cuts through the thickness of my pride and vanity. May I share in the strokes of my Savior, who painted the perfect picture of true humility. Holy Spirit, give me eyes to see more of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ today.