This is the concluding part of the series we started eight days ago. I hope you have learned something from this series.
At the end of this discussion, there will be some questions to help you examine whether you are using Jesus as a tool or truly submitting to Him as Lord.
Today, we are discussing the idol of using Jesus as a tool instead of submitting to Him. This is another big idol that many Christians ignorantly worship.
Many believers miss this—hidden forms of idolatryin modern Christianity explained
Let us begin by giving ourselves a simple test. If you are reading this post right now, chances are that you went to church yesterday. If you did, what was the major thing you desired God to do for you?
Was what you asked for something of spiritual value, or was it mainly material?
Although many people today profess to follow Jesus, very few are actually seeking Him. There are few who pray like Paul, who said, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection.”
Very few people are seeking for the will of God to be done in their lives and in all that they do.
Many seek God mainly for protection, blessings, deliverance, and healing. When you look around today, ministries that focus more on material things often gain more popularity than those that focus on spiritual growth.
This is one reason prayer meetings for breakthroughs are usually more populated than Bible study meetings. Many times, when you hear that people are gathered for prayer, you may think they are doing something great.
But when you listen to the kinds of prayers being prayed, you may begin to wonder whether God is being treated as a tool to be used.
Many Christians would rather attend prayers that address material needs than gatherings that build spiritual depth.
Some online prayer meetings have become very popular because many people attend them with specific needs they want met.
Using Jesus as a Tool: When Giving Becomes a Transaction
The idol of using Jesus as a tool is one of the reasons every act of giving has been reduced to a “seed.”
We give, not out of love, but with an expectation attached.
Giving has become transactional.
If there is no promise of a huge return, many people will not give.
If there is no prophetic assurance, no testimony attached, no “hundredfold,” hands remain closed.
This reveals a deeper issue.
Many no longer give because they love God or His Word.
They give to receive.
Pause and check your motive.
Why do you always sow a seed?
What exactly are you expecting in return?
If there were no promise of blessing…
If there were no breakthrough attached…
If no one said “God will do this for you”…
Would you still give to God and His work—purely out of love?
That question exposes whether Jesus is Lord…
or merely a tool.
Why do many people ignore Bible studies but rush to breakthrough, deliverance, visa, miracle, or money meetings? The reason is the same.
Because of this selfish approach to seeking Jesus, very few people in our generation who truly seek God for who He is end up becoming genuine pastors and ministers.
So, are you seeking Jesus only for what He can do for you? If you were asked to preach in a place where your life would be at risk, would you go?
A Christian is supposed to seek God for life transformation, obey Him in whatever He commands, and make Jesus the Lord of his life.
But today, many of us have become the lord of our own lives, while expecting Jesus to be our servant or errand boy—making our lives better while we continue living to please ourselves.
Jesus Himself asked:
“Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
—Luke 6:46
This reminds me of a popular statement whose author I do not know:
“If Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.”
If we cannot surrender every area of our lives to Jesus, then He is not truly our Lord.
When Jesus is used as a means rather than followed as Lord, faith becomes idolatrous.
Use these questions to examine yourself honestly.
1. Do I obey Jesus only when His instructions align with my desires, comfort, or plans?
2. When prayers go unanswered, do I still trust Christ, or do I grow resentful and withdraw?
3. Is my relationship with Jesus mostly about what I want Him to do for me (provision, protection, success), rather than who He is calling me to become?
4. Do I selectively follow Scriptures that promise blessings while avoiding those that demand repentance, sacrifice, or holiness?
5. When Jesus confronts my habits, relationships, or ambitions, do I submit, or do I explain them away?
6. Do I turn to Jesus mainly in times of crisis but ignore Him when life is stable?
7. Am I more committed to church activities, spiritual language, or religious identity than to daily obedience to Christ’s commands?
8. When obedience costs me popularity, profit, or comfort, do I still choose Christ?
9. Do I measure my spirituality by outcomes (miracles, breakthroughs, answered prayers) rather than by faithfulness and character?
10. If Jesus never gave me what I am currently asking for, would I still follow Him?
Conclusion
An idol is anything that replaces God’s authority, trust, or position in your life.
If you have any questions from any of my posts, feel free to ask. Drop your questions in the comment section under any post, and I will respond. God bless you.
If this message has spoken to you, here are some related teachings that will help you understand Silent Forms of Idolatry more deeply:
1. Silent Forms of Idolatry Practiced by Christians Today: Trusting God “Plus” Something Else (Part 1)
4. Silent Forms of Idolatry Practiced by Christians Today: Fear-Based Faith (Part 4)
7. Silent Forms of Idolatry Practiced by Christians Today: Self as an Idol (Self-Worship) (Part 7)
8. Hidden Forms of Idolatry in Modern Christianity: The Subtle Enemies of True Worship
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