Genesis 35 Part 2

Purify Yourselves

We can learn from Jacob’s call to worship God that we should seek to prepare our hearts and lives for fully devoted worship. Not just Sunday mornings, but to worship God throughout each day: Acknowledging who He is, giving thanks for what He has done, and bringing Him honor and glory with our thoughts, words, and actions.

Jacob called his family to clean themselves, put on new clothes, get rid of the idols in their lives and the earrings that maybe identified them with those idols.

Apostle Paul called believers to put off their old dirty lives and put on the new life in Jesus Christ. To set their minds on Christ – things above instead of focusing on the here and now.

see Colossians 3:1-3; 5-14

Our new clean clothes are the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

“Because of [God] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” – 1 Corinthians 1:30–31

Get Rid of Idols

Jacob told his family to get rid of the idols and the things in their lives that identified them with ungodliness.

We were created to worship something and God is rightfully jealous. If we don’t worship Him, something or someone else will take that place.

An idol is not just a little statue made of stone or gold. It is anything that takes the proper place of God in the center of our lives. Jesus Christ is worthy of our love, our worship and our praise. He alone should be our source of identity, fulfillment, hope, strength, comfort, and provision.

Keep yourselves from idols. – 1 John 5:21

An idol can be a person in our lives; it can be my favorite sports team; it can be my wardrobe; it can be my comfort; it can be my career; it can be your girlfriend or boyfriend; it can be peace and quiet; it can be my education; it can be my health; it can be my kid’s success; it can be food; it can be my car; it can be order and control; it can be my financial security. These things by themselves are not evil or sin. But when they are threatened – my attitude and need for them becomes evident.

When I act sinfully toward others to keep something or sin when I don’t get what I want – those somethings are idols. They are more important to me than obeying and glorifying God.

What idols are hiding in your life today that need to be removed? When you are tired, lonely, or hurting – where do you turn? Is it a bottle, a pill, a person, porn, a Netflix binge? When you need wisdom – Do you look to God and His Word or somewhere else?

If you are struggling with identifying what things are bringing out the worst (sin) in you, talk to the people that are closest to you or set up a time to meet with one of our biblical counselors. We are here to help you.

Confess these idols to God as sin in your life and ask Him to help you replace them with His glory.

What’s going on in my heart?   X-Ray Questions

For help identifying the idols in your life read these X-Ray Questions. Share them with your spouse, a close friend, or sibling if you want more input.