“Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:22-23).
The Athenian’s devotions were idols, the objects of their worship.
Oh no, we say, we would not take a piece of wood, use half of it to fashion an idol in the figure of man or beast or something of the imagination, and then burn the other half in a fire for warmth or cooking (Isa. 44). Nevertheless, the devotions or idols of men both then and today assume many forms. Whether Paul could observe them outwardly or not, God observes them all.
God sees within many people the devotion of materialism. This involves a constant longing for material things and indulgence in their enjoyment and an excessive regard for worldly concerns above spiritual. If the apostle Paul walked into your life, just as he entered into Athens, and listened to your daily conversations and observed the time and energies you expend on various efforts, would he see a devotion to the material and worldly? God knows the thoughts and intents of your heart; what does He clearly see as the object of your devotion?
God sees within others the devotion to convenience. Satan has long offered men a religion of convenience as an alternative to a religion of conviction. This may be difficult to observe outwardly, but again, God knows our thoughts and intents. Does He see in us a devotion that will perform in our worship and service to Him only what we find to be convenient – doing whatever does not interfere with our own desires, whether they be in the realm of family, or business, or pleasure, and whatever fits into our schedule of self-imposed “necessities”? David demonstrated a heart of conviction and not convenience when he said he would not offer burnt offerings to God with that which costs him nothing (2 Samuel 24:24).
God sees within many the devotion to the praise of men. Many are concerned with “keeping up appearances” before others; this is their unspoken devotion. Jesus says they have their reward (Matthew 6:5).
Few in our culture may bow down and worship a literal idol. But the devotions or idols of men today are myriad, and God knows and sees them all. What does He see as the object of your devotion?
-Larry Jones