Idols and The TRUE God – A Prophetic Warning (Jeremiah 10)
February 23, 2026, Monday
What is an Idol?
According to scripture, idols are something we build with our own hands. Because of that, it is foolish to bow down to them. In biblical days, idols were made by cutting down trees, then decorating with colorful fabrics, silver and gold, and fastening them together with nails. But idols are dead – they cannot speak, walk, or breathe; they hold no power. Idols are something we carry around like a baby-doll. It’s make-believe and pretend – an illusion.
In today’s time, idols remain the same – they’re just dressed differently. Idols are now anything we trust for security, look to for identity, fear losing most, or allow to controls our decisions. We create an image, polish it, protect it, and live to maintain it. I call this functional idolatry.
This form of idolatry is the same as any other form – except there is no statue. There is simply an altar within our hearts that we allow to rule over us. This idol functions in the role that only God should occupy.
Functional idolatry is misplaced dependence – when something created takes the throne of the Creator in your heart. For example, you say God is Lord, but something else dictates your security, identity, or peace. We bow to what we fear losing.
Fear is an Idol
Today we desperately cling to our idols out of the fear of losing something we view as valuable. This can be money, status, influence, relationships, platforms, identity, security, or comfort. We get so caught up in keeping and maintaining that idol that fear takes hold and controls us.
Losing followers or our reputation feels devastating. Fear creeps in the moment we begin slipping out of our comfort zone. We fear losing control over something, someone, or even someone’s approval – because it gave us a sense of power, worth, or security.
Even in fearing the loss of something, fear itself becomes the idol. Fear is the thing you exalt – when in reality, it’s the very thing you’re supposed to cast down. If fear is what we’ve enthroned, then truth must reclaim the throne.
When fear is dethroned, peace takes its place. When idols fall, freedom returns. The hands that once clung in panic open in surrender. Only God is worthy of ruling our security. He alone is where our trust belongs and the ONLY ONE we’re called to fear.
The Truth about the Living God
There is only ONE God and HE is Jesus our Father. He lives, breathes, walks, talks, and shows up. Human hands did not make Him. God is not something we carry around like a babydoll. He is not dependent on mortal man. Neither is He is in need of anything we can give. He is GOD ALONE. There is no other like Him. HE is the only One who holds all power, who is ever present, who is all knowing. He is the Sovereign King. The One and ONLY to be worshipped and feared.
Jeremiah 10:6-7, 12-13, 16 “In as much as there is none like YOU, O Lord (YOU are great, and YOUR name is great in might), Who would not fear YOU, O King of the nations? For this is YOUR rightful due. For among all this wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like YOU… He has made the earth by His power; He has established the world by His wisdom and has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.
When He utters His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens: and HE causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. HE makes lightning for the rain; HE brings the wind out of His treasuries… The portion of Jacob (you God’s people) is not like them (your idols), for HE is the Maker of ALL things, and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance; The Lord of Hosts is HIS name.”
Returning God to the Throne
Repent and place God back on the throne. Make Him your center of worship again.
Declare that fear has no power because you know and believe it to be true.
Acknowledge the Lord as God Almighty [El Shaddai], the All-Sufficient One who is powerful and able to supply our every need.
Acknowledge Him as The Lord [Yahweh], the One whose name means “I AM THAT I AM.” The One who is eternal and self-existent. He was here before all we know was created, and He will remain after it’s all gone. He is the Alpha and the Omega – our beginning and our end.
Heart Transformation
If you’re someone who has been carrying an idol – believing your success will give you peace, your relationships will heal your abandonment wound, productivity will cure your insecurity, mortal leaders will restore you as righteous, self-optimization will save your soul, or fear should be exalted above who God is – it’s time to make a change and re-center your heart. The cure for idolatry is not self-condemnation, but seeing God for who He truly is. When the heart encounters the living God, carved substitutes, idols, lose their shine.
Go into your backroom [the deeper place within your soul] and sit before the Lord. Be completely honest and open with Him. Ask yourself this question: “Do I worship the gift or the Giver?”
Friendly reminder: If you choose to build on anything that is not God [an unsteady foundation], everything will eventually come crashing down.
- Jeremiah 10:20-21, 23-25 “My house is in ruined – the roof caved in. Our children are gone – we’ll never see them again. No one left to help in rebuilding, no one to make a new start! It’s because our leaders are stupid. They never asked God for counsel, and so nothing worked right. The people are scattered all over… I know, God, that mere mortals can’t run their own lives, that men and women don’t have what it takes to take charge of life. So correct us, God, as You see best. Don’t lose your temper. That would be the end of us. Vent Your anger on the godless nations, who refuse to acknowledge You, and on the people who won’t pray to You…”