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The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 135.15-18] 

Once again, we find definition of what characterizes idols in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading. Idols are predominantly man-made and they are costly. They are also artificial in the fact that they have mouths, eyes and ears, but no life of their own. They are made to look as if they exist on their own, but they are lifeless - they require human intervention in their purpose and they are costly in their design.

Interestingly enough, Psalm 135, like Psalm 115.4-8, also attributes such lifelessness to the makers of idols as well as those who trust in them. 

This problem did not go away with the Old Testament. In fact, it only became more intricately intertwined into everyday life. It became more complicated. It became essential to a way of life.

About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He kept many craftsmen busy. He called them together, along with others employed in similar trades, and addressed them as follows: “Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business. But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren’t really gods at all. And he’s done this not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province! Of course, I’m not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. I’m also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will lose its influence and that Artemis—this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world—will be robbed of her great prestige!” [Acts 19.23-27]

So we see in the New Testament that idolatry became more than just "idolatry." It became a profitable enterprise. In the New Testament we see that livelihoods began to depend upon idolatry. Not only was it costly to make idols (silver and gold), but idolatry secured its perpetuity through a business term known as "ROI" (return on investment). Idolatry's ROI began to support families; and that was only the beginning of its infiltration into society.

The shrewdness of idolatry's nefariously secure grip on society today is seen in the complicated infiltration of debt, insurance, medicine and technology into its very fabric. Denying this fact will be the last breath of many souls destined for hell having resigned (albeit ignorantly) to wholesale rejection of the First Commandment:

You must not have any other god but me. [Exodus 20.3] 

People will meet their eternal destruction because of ignorance. And, all the while, what might be the most profound and graphic book of the Bible directly addressing idolatry timelessly issues this warning:

My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children. [Hosea 4.6]

The shame of this truth is that "spiritual leaders" who neglect to call idolatry "idolatry" have themselves "forgotten" God's Law. These wayward spiritual leaders in fact defend lifeless idolatry from the very platforms from which they should be helping God's people identify and denounce it! The power of the "bottom line" can be seen at its damning best in the pulpits of churches worldwide as debt, insurance, medicine and technology are hailed as "gifts from God."

As it has become so much a part of society, when we rip away the artificial man-made bandage of idolatry, flesh will be removed and it will be painful. There is no other way for Jesus to be the only Way, Truth and Life in our lives, but the pain of so doing is proof of life. Jesus' sober but comforting words should remain before us at all times:

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [Matthew 11.28]

The relentless and imposing tax upon greed, fear, impatience and selfishness levied by the lifeless idols of debt, insurance, medicine and technology makes people weary and heavily burdened - lifeless. In contrast, Jesus promised "everything needed" to those who simply but wholeheartedly seek God:

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. [Matthew 6.31-34]

Idolatry's stronghold manifests, and even makes perfect sense regardless of the cost, when people doubt God's Word. But, idols are just lifeless parasites upon mankind. They take more than they give rendering their hosts just as lifeless as they are. In spite of what the idols of debt, insurance, medicine and technology claim, life is found ONLY in Jesus:

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. [John 14.6]

Father, forgive us for our ignorance of You and Your Word. Help us to rip away the lifeless idols that are deeply rooted in our lives. May our life and rest (our provision, protection, health and intelligent conveniences) be found in You ALONE. May our lives begin to tell the story of singular faith in Christ as we reject the world and its solutions (our own ways) to "take up our cross" to follow Him. So be it.