Idol Churches are the Devil’s Playground
Beloved, allow me the time to talk about something very real, and precious to many people. A sensitive subject, indeed.
The church.
The concept of the church is beautiful and wonderful. It’s meant to gather believers to fellowship and learn together. To have community. To take care of each other and help each other grow. As much as church buildings today seem to offer that, we’re off-base from the original plan. Churches were never meant to be buildings, full of people. They were meant to be people, full of obedience.
If you’ve read my testimony, you know that I grew up in and served the church for many years. I LOVED being a part of it. That’s why it hurt so much when I left. I was called out. God expected more. More from the church, and more from me. The only way forward was to separate.
I think back now to my relationship with the church. I volunteered. I mattered. I had acquaintances and friends I could count on. I belonged.
- Was the message scriptural? Mostly.
- Was it full of foundational truths that rocked me to the core? On occasion.
- Did it call out and refrain from practicing traditions of men? Rarely.
- Did I feel like I was giving God my best by attending and serving? Always.
I had an identity with the church, not necessarily with Jesus. I often talked more about what I was doing for my church or with my church, than what I was doing for God. I thought they were the same. Do for the church = do for God. Sadly, that’s not the case at all. Not in today’s churches anyway.
When I realized the church wasn’t preaching what Scripture really said and I was called to leave, I was heartbroken. What about my church friends? What about belonging somewhere? What would I say when people asked me where I went to church? Would they think I was a heathen if I said I don’t go? What if belonging to a church was the only way I knew how to worship God?
I pondered.
God always has answers for those who are seeking Him in sincerity. God clearly said to follow Him. Not a pastor, not the safety and comfort of the familiar, not a social structure. He said I belong to Him, to the Israel of God, to His church. “Come out from among them, Daughter.” The voice was clear and unmistakable. Yet, I contended.
But God, these are good people who love you.
– They are compromised.
But I can still go and be part of the good stuff.
– You are compromised.
But I am strong, and can learn on my own. I can ignore the things I know aren’t right.
– Daughter, do you love the church more than Me?
No! I don’t think so.
– Yes, you do. You have made the church an idol.
Wait, what?
I began to reflect. How do you know something is an idol? When you choose it over the truth. When you pursue it instead of God. When it controls you, rather than the reverse.
I needed to belong. I needed to establish my identity as a believer, by the world’s view. And I needed that more than fully surrendering and seeking God’s will at any cost.
Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
I was fornicating, by allowing false religion to taint me. I was unclean. My affection was placed on the wrong thing. I participated in paganism. I coveted social status.
Oh, my precious LORD and Savior, I had made church an idol! I repented, prayed for forgiveness, and I came out of her, like He told me to do. It wasn’t easy. I had a fleshly battle, a brief identity crisis, and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). But without a doubt, I had to step away and seek the truth. I had to break the chains of entanglement from a false setup, a false sense of security, and a false gospel.
You may say, “Oh, but my church…”
Please consider it wholly. If you found a church that preaches the complete truth, the full ten commandments, doesn’t participate in traditions of men, eats Biblically clean, observes the Sabbath, and celebrates the Biblical feasts, consider yourself blessed. I haven’t seen one yet. However, if your church presents anything but the pure truth and the complete gospel, I urge you to unentangle yourself from the deception, as much as it hurts. Remember, almost right is still a false gospel, which is antichrist.
Brothers and Sisters, I know I’m sharing mainly with those who understand. But I also know each one of us has loved ones who are white-knuckled, hanging onto the familiarity of the church, rather than stepping out in faith. They just can’t fathom their identity without a church building being attached. I get it. I’ve been there. But He is calling us now to stand up, to fight for the truth, to step out, to be ye separate!
God tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves in Hebrews, for sure, but that does not mean, “Go to church,” as some people interpret it. It means to be the church. Gather with like-minded believers. Celebrate God’s Feasts together, have a Bible study. Seek Him fervently. Pursue Him, no matter the consequences. Together. In unity for the LORD.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Notice in that verse, it also says, “and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.” I believe we are being called to band together as the last days approach. We don’t have time to be wondering how our social calendars will be filled, or what people will think of us if we walk away from unbiblical teachings. Let’s get our entertainment from social events, and our truth from the Bible. Amen!
If your church is ignoring certain parts of the Bible, adding unbiblical traditions, or allowing worldly influences (e.g. yoga, blasphemous books, studies, or shows/movies), then please RUN. Turn your back on wickedness and set your eyes upon Jesus. He is who we follow. He will never leave us or forsake us.
Servants, love Him above all else, and flee from anything you’ve made an idol, including church, if that’s the case.
1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
Pray for your own situation. Pray for friends and family members. Pray for preachers who are also ensnared in the lies of seminaries and the church. Pursue holiness, always, and be forever…
Fully immersed in The Scarlet Letters.