Psalms 115:3-8 ESV Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. (4) Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. (5) They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. (6) They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. (7) They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. (8) Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.

G.K. Beale, my favorite theologian, wrote a book called We Become What we Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry. It is an incredibly important Bible doctrine that we all need to know well. Beale points to the verses above from Psalm 115 as his central text. Especially verse 8 – those who make them become like them.

The typical local church of our day is worshipping false gods fashioned by their own devices and imaginations. As they do so, they themselves become increasingly blind. They have eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear – just like their idols.

These false entities that claim to be of Christ take their idolatry further and press everyone to worship it. Many of you have seen this firsthand. They worship a god that forgives everyone no matter what, who counts wicked people as God’s children, and who oppresses the oppressed if they refuse to go along with the game.

Paul warns us about the thing:

Galatians 1:8-9 ESV But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. (9) As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

We become what we worship. Did you get that? We become what we worship.If we worship a false Christ, we will become increasingly like that false Christ. We will not be like the real Jesus. We will be a portrait copy of a false Jesus. WE will oppress the oppressed. WE will blink at evil. WE won’t really like the God of the Bible.

So don’t be pressed into the worship of an idol god. Don’t hang out on Sundays in an idol temple. Be wise about who is really behind it all: