That hideous idol SELF in his little shrine',

Back to Man's religion & God's religion 9

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Never again will we say any more to the work 
of our hands—"You are our gods!"  Hosea 14:3

The besetting sin of Israel was the worship of idols. 

Perhaps, if you have walked into the British Museum, 
and seen the idols that were worshipped in former days 
in the South Sea Islands, you have been amazed that 
rational beings could ever bow down before such ugly 
monsters.

But does the heart of a South Sea Islander differ from 
the heart of an Englishman? Not a bit! The latter may 
have more civilization and cultivation—but his heart 
is the same! And though you have not bowed down to 
these monstrous objects and hideous figures—there 
may be as filthy an idol in your heart! Where is 
there a filthier idol than the lusts and passions of 
man's fallen nature? 

You need not go to the British Museum to see 
filthy idols and painted images. Look within! 

Where is there a more grovelling idol than Mammon, 
and the covetousness of our heart? You need not 
wonder at heathens worshipping hideous idols—when 
you have pride, covetousness, and above all that 
hideous idol SELF in his little shrine, hiding himself 
from the eyes of man—but to which you are so often 
rendering your daily and hourly worship!

If a person does not see that the root of all 
idolatry is SELF, he knows but little of his heart.