Psalm 24:4-5b
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the Lord…
I recently saw a sign that said, “The right things are usually the hard things,” and when it comes to serving the Lord you will find this statement to be true. In Matthew 16:26 Jesus asks what good would it be for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul? God repeatedly warns us in His Word not to pursue the allure of false idols. What is an idol? It is a man-made object, either physical, mental, or social that is propped up and worshipped in place of God.
No one sets out to make an idol out of something, but often times we will begin to worship an idea or a path that we think will bring us true fulfillment and happiness. The idol is soon placed before God, and once that replacement happens, the moral compass of an individual begins to fade. Soon the foundation of integrity develops a crack, and now it’s only a matter of time before the world of that person and the people who love them is in danger.
Family, relationships, and career are all at the mercy of the promises a false idol makes. Godly honor, integrity, character, and a true fear of the Lord are replaced by the pursuit of selfish interests and desire. Immorality, corruption, and deceit are quick to follow. In the short term the person may feel like success and happiness are at their fingertips, but they will soon discover the lie. As I recently read, the pleasure of sin is for a season, but the pain it causes is for life.
My friend, don’t go down this road. If you’ve already taken a few steps down the path of “lifting your soul up to what is false,” STOP! Turn back. There is still time.
Let Psalm 24 encourage you to stay above board and maintain clean hands and a pure heart before God. A desire to stay upright in the Lord’s eyes will reap wonderful rewards for you and the people you love. The greatest blessings from the Lord are gained honorably.
Dear Jesus, Give me the strength and resolve to always put you first. Let my focus stay on being upright and above board in your eyes. Amen
Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of New Hope Community Church in Brentwood, TN.
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