In today's landscape, one of the most difficult of God's commandments to keep is "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3) And while some do in fact place their worship on actual statue gods, what we are discussing now are all the worldy things we put before our worship of the one true God.
Whether it's our careers, our hobbies or other people, these things tend to pull us away from our relationship with God. They start to become more than just distractions. We start focusing on these things and they start replacing the things that God has commanded us to do or take over the time meant for prayer, studying the word, etc. Instead of reading our bibles we choose to watch just one more episode of the new Netflix show. We work late to advance our career instead being home taking care of our families as God has commanded. Now I'm not saying there is anything wrong with watching your favorite show, or working for that promotion, or playing some Xbox. It's when these things become more important that our relationship with Christ that it turns into a problem. And some things, like careers, start to takeover all aspects of our lives.
While some of these things seem harmless, the bible does tell us to "flee" from them. The scripture also calls out some specific things that are idolatry that will certainly corrupt our walk with the Lord.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Colossians 3:5
Fornication puts physical desires and other people above the desire to serve God and follow his commandments. Not to mention the corrosive effect it can have on marriages, friendships and physical health. It says in 1 Corinthians 6:13 ...Now the body [is] not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. And 1 Corinthians 6:18 tells us to flee fornication.
Covetousness, jealousy, envy and the lust for material items all corrupt our minds and our spirit by turning things and lifestyles into something to chase and worship. Having nice things and wanting to have nice things are not bad. It's when the quest for cars, houses, TVs etc. becomes our focus instead of God and what HE wants that it becomes a problem. Jealousy and envy of other people and what they have or have accomplished can very quickly turn to anger and spite. Both of which take our relation with Christ off the rails in a hurry. James 3:16 says "For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work."
The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. Psalms135:15
Money is one of this world's greatest and most seductive idols. But we all need it and we all use it. It's something we cannot live without. Having money and wanting to earn money are not inherently bad things. But loving money and pursuing money above everything else will lead to trouble every time. It has corrupted and destroyed countless lives, marriages, and families. Money has been the cause conflict, immorality and even death. 1 Timothy 6:10 tell us "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." When obtaining and having money becomes our focus instead of our walk with God, we lose sight of what is truly important. And that is what God wants from us. What HE wants us to pursue.
I say all that to say this: Let's start putting God first in our lives. Let's put him first in everything we do. Start the day by asking him what he wants from us for the day. Let's ask him to show us things and to guide us. Let's pray before the things we do and bring scripture into our lives. What are the themes from our favorite shows or books? Let's look to see what the bible says about those themes. Let's study to see what the bible says about finance and the things we should truly treasure. Let's stop focusing on what we don't have and pay attention to what we do. Let's stop being envious of others and start lifting them up and being happy for them. Let's stop putting all these perishable, puny gods before the one true God.
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. – 1 Corinthians 10:14