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Idols – Day 31

1 John 5:21

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

The Thought

The last verse in John’s first letter is almost like a post script, or an after thought. He has made no mention of idols to this point, and there is no explanation of how we can keep ourselves from idols!

John could have gone into much more detail about what an idol is or can be, but he either did not want to, or he thought it was too big a subject, so he just left a short command. It is a simple command, but it makes us ask why?

John was getting older and often addressed his readers as children. The phrase “My dear children” appears 9 times in his short letters (1 John 2:1, 12, 14, 18, 28; 1 John 3:7, 18; 1 John 4:4 & 5:21).

John wants those who are reading his message to be successful adults, and just as any parent would give advice to a child leaving home for the first time, he wants them to remember everything important and to learn quickly!

Most parents give advice to their children all through their lives, whether it is asked for or not! Even when the children are grown and have their own families, we continue to be ready with advice. It is something ingrained in most adults. We know what our children are going through, because most of us have gone through similar situations around the same age.

The best advice we can give them is to follow Jesus, and listen to His advice.

Action

Read this chapter of 1 John 5 today, or if you have the time read the whole letter, which is only 5 short chapters.

Ask yourself again if you have made an idol of anything or anyone, and dare to ask The Lord if He thinks there is anything or anyone that you idolise in your life.

Pray for help in getting rid of anything that is in danger of becoming a barrier between you or your family, and Jesus.

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