We carry assumptions into every aspect of our life. We assume that what makes us feel good is what makes others feel good, we assume that rational people will accept our rational statements, and we even assume that acquiring more money or losing more weight would fulfill us. We carry such assumptions with us into every aspect of life, even into the sphere of our most core needs. Yet, we find ourselves still longing with our needs not met we double down on that assumption instead of changing. We seek for more relationships, more money, more acceptance from others, etc. When this happens it becomes the primary driver of our life and as such is idolatry.
We, as a culture, have hidden our idols beneath the guise of intellectuality and nuance, making it harder to recognize idolatry when it exists. An idol is something we put ahead of God that we bow down to and sacrifice for. Idolatry at other times in other contexts was very obvious (i.e. a golden calf), but now it looks more like sacrificing family to the idol of success. In unearthing what idols we may hold, one of the most helpful questions we can ask ourself is this: “What do I fear the most?” This is because more often than not, what we fear the most has become the most ultimate thing in our life. Isaiah 44:20 begs us to ask the question “is it a lie?” In other words, can this idol deliver on assumption of its promise? In Isaiah 44:6, The Lord says, “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.” In this declaration, we find the answer to every instance in idolatry as the Lord says that these things are not gods, but that He alone is God.