“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen” – 1 John 5:21

Scripture reading: 1 John 5:21; 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1

Some find this verse an odd conclusion to John’s epistle.  In fact, as we think about John’s overarching theme of fellowship with God, a warning against idolatry makes perfect sense.  By definition, an idol is anything in thought or form that is put in the place of God.  We can create an idol by carving an image in wood just as we can create an idol in our minds when we think something of God that is not true.  We have been reminded over and over in this epistle that God has done everything necessary that His people might truly have fellowship with Him.  God wants us to know Him, not a false conception of who He is.  Idolatry is the exact opposite of what God intends for us!

With this in mind, John reminds us that we, as sinful human beings, are prone to make idols in our hearts.  Each time we do, we threaten the fellowship that God intends to have with us.  We must keep looking to Jesus Christ and God’s Word in humble reliance on the Holy Spirit that we might be nurtured in true fellowship with God.  There is so much mediocre Christianity in our world today because there is so much idolatry in the church.  This verse comes to us as a warning.  Pray diligently that you be kept from idols and that you would not be satisfied with anything taking the place of God in your soul.

Suggestions for prayer

Pray not only for yourself, but pray earnestly for the Church of Jesus Christ – that we would be kept from idols.

Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.