When I was in seminary, one of my professors told the story of American missionaries who felt called to preach the Gospel on another continent. The missionaries travelled to a tribe deep in the jungle. They studied the tribe’s language then told them the story of the garden of Eden. They preached about God’s redemptive plan, but no one chose to accept Jesus. This continued day after day and the missionaries were baffled. It wasn’t until they lived amongst the tribe for a while that they understood why. In that culture any character that uses trickery is the champion. All this while, the tribe thought that the snake was the real god.

   God revealed Himself to the Israelites as the real God. The first commandment He gave them was, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” He also warned the Israelites time and time again against worshipping the gods of their region. Did they obey? No. Almost as soon as they met God they began creating an idol to replace Him. This sin became habitual. In 1 Kings, we read of the Israelites serving Baal the Canaanite-Phoenician god of fertility and rain.

  Due to Israel’s disobedience, God withheld rain for 3 1/2 years. Then He used the prophet Elijah to turn His people’s hearts back to Him. Elijah called for a showdown between Baal & God on Mt. Carmel. After the contest, the real god was revealed. The people fell on their faces and cried, ‘The LORD–he is God! The LORD–he is God!’”

  Are idols harmless pieces of stone? No. Is Baal worship dangerous? Very. In Matthew Jesus calls Satan “Beelzebub,” linking the devil to Baal-Zebub, a Philistine deity. The Baalim of the Old Testament were nothing more than demons masquerading as gods and all idolatry is ultimately devil-worship.

  You may be thinking, “I’m a Christian + I go to church = I don’t worship idols.”
Is this true? In Revelation Jesus identifies idolatry in the church and outlines the consequences if the church failed to repent. Revelation 2:1-5 reads,

  The Christians in Ephesus (modern-day Turkey) still loved God but there were things in their lives that they loved more. And anything that challenges God’s rightful position as MOST IMPORTANT is a false god or Baal.
 
  In Jamaica, my good name was Baal. The students I taught won competitions and government scholarships. Parents at my private school said that they waited years for their children to enter my class. It felt good to be so respected. Little by little, whenever I felt tired or stressed I thought about how much respect I was given. Soon, that was the most important thing in my life.

 What is the most important thing in your life? Is it your parents? Your spouse? Your children? Your friends? Your job? Your home? Your smartphone? Yourself? Let us ask God to show us if we are worshipping a Baal. If He says, “Yes”, let us repent and affirm who the real God is.