American Idol

You know what’s crazy? I didn’t really think about the word “Idol” in American Idol as being an idol!

I looked up the word “idol” online and guess what came up? American Idol, the official site. Don’t get me wrong, I watched the show a couple of weeks ago and had a good laugh, but why are so many people obsessed with becoming an idol and why do we spend so much time watching them instead of living our own lives?

So then I looked up the “definition of idol” online and the first thing listed was “Become a Clergyman” and the next was “Statues of Hindu Gods”. Below this were four definitions by dictionary.com:

1. An image or representation of anything.

2. An image of a divinity; a representation or symbol of a deity or any other being or thing, made or used as an object of worship; a similitude of a false god.

3. That on which the affections are strongly (often excessively) set; an object of passionate devotion; a person or thing greatly loved or adored.

4. A false notion or conception; a fallacy.


The first two definitions seem self-explanatory. We think of idols as statues made of wood or stone, but in reality an idol is anything natural that is given value or power. And the third seems to describe our obsession with American Idol. Now comes the conviction and yes I am…You are what? I am convicted and convinced that we need to put the brakes on some things in our lives which are considered idols.

Ok so here’s the Litmus Test and for this blog I am not talking about addictions such as caffeine or food. What I’m getting at is what we fill our minds with. Can you not watch your favorite show this week? Or any TV for a week.

Genesis 3:4-5 describes one of Satan’s first tricks, “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

Why does Satan tempt us? Temptation is Satan’s way of trying to get you to live his kind of life instead of the one God has for you. How can we resist? First we must pray. Next we must run. And last we must say no to what may look good on the outside but has no value on the inside. What value does American Idol have for me? None!!!

At this point I feel guilty…and I believe guilt is a warning sign that God has placed in us to let us know when we’ve done something wrong. Not condemnation! But I’m glad for the guilt so that I can start to head in the right direction.

I am currently curtailing most TV watching and increasing the time I spend developing my relationship with God. It is good!

One more thought! Who are we letting watch our children? And what are our children watching? An Idol?

By Collette Uhler