“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:21 NIV
When we think of the word ‘idol’ in Biblical terms, a created image to be worshiped as a god comes to mind. “Idolatry’ is a term used frequently in Scripture meaning the worship of idols. Throughout Biblical history there are stories of people worshiping carved images of false gods. These man-made gods were the object of worship taking their hearts and minds off the true God who is the only God worthy of worship. This is true even today. In fact, anything that is put before the Lord God becomes an idol as we have pushed God to second place, or even worse, third or fourth place.
The apostle John in the closing verse to his readers in 1 John writes, “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1Jn.5:21 niv) It almost seems out of place and thrown in at the last minute, but it is far from that. John cared deeply for those to which he was writing, often calling them ‘little children’ and ‘dear children’ as in this last verse. He knew of the deceptiveness of false teachers of his day and how easy it is to become enamored with the things of this world even back then. If it was a problem two thousand years ago, it is sure a problem today.
The New Living Translation of the Bible interprets this verse, “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” (1Jn.5:21 nlt) A very good translation that gets to the point. We are to keep away from anything that causes us to put ourselves, others, or something else first and taking that place away from God. It may be something of enjoyment, work, even family. It’s not that can’t we have other priorities in our lives or find enjoyment in certain activities, but when they push God to second place, they have become an idol. So, those idols we need keep away from, but proper balance in our love for God and keeping Him first will help us keep in place all the things He has given in this life to enjoy.
Word for the Soul 