A few years ago, I visited a Buddhist temple in China with members from our mission team. I’ve been to Buddhist temples in other countries, but this was the first time several of the young ladies on our trip had experienced this. On the outside, the temple was very beautiful and ornate with a distinct, Asian appearance. Once we stepped inside, the women were shocked to see people bowing to an idol of Buddha. Tears formed in their eyes because they knew the people were not worshipping their Creator.

The devil longs to be worshipped as God. He claims as his own any worship which is not directed toward God. That means we don’t have to bow before a statue to commit idolatry. We often bow before many other gods: the “almighty” dollar, Hollywood celebrities, sports and political heroes, and our own self-will. Such worship is idle. The moment we bow the knee, the devil exults.

Now don’t get me wrong: there is not necessarily anything wrong with money, celebrities, or our personal desires. But we need to honestly consider where our hearts are. For example, if you would rather watch football than be in church, it’s clear what’s most important to you.

Is the object of your desire worthy of the spot it holds in your life, or have you elevated it to a position only God should fill? No relationship, possession, or granted desire can provide the eternal fulfillment God provides. Worship Him alone today.