In America today millions are caught up in the idolatry of ....hunting and fishing as a so called 'hobby'.
I was one of them for years until Christ's truth transformed my life for His greater purpose!
Please know we are not talking about the man who takes his family fishing for a joyful afternoon or if you hunt deer to put meat on the table at home; no I do that myself at rare times. In this article we are talking about the consuming passion and practice of fishing and hunting /outdoor adventures to the point that it over takes a person.......... into idolatry.
Example:
In the picture below you see a man who claims to be a born again Christian standing in his HUGE trophy room filled with all of his past hunting adventures. He has a ministry to reach children and it is not a biblical one at all. He is teaching them error, false ways and more idolatry in truth.
Many will say this is not idolatry as he does not worship those trophies! Well I would ask, have you biblically studied idolatry yourself?
You see idolatry is not just worshiping an idol (see the Israelites in the desert) but it is anything that a man or woman adores or focuses on above serving Christ and it always leads them into sin/breaking God's law. It is also the longing for things / hobbies in this case other then God in a way that puts God behind such things in your life.
Many men will claim to love God as Christians and I have heard hundreds of men tell me they worship God while hunting. That sounds so spiritual but they are deceived. Sadly as fruit of their lives when tested they spend many hundreds of hours a year traveling to fish and hunt, sitting in tree stands, wetting a line, reading sports magazines and seeking out the latest new gear or polishing their boat all the while they are mostly void of God's Word and not obeying God in their daily lives or in their families/home. They know all the latest hunting and fishing news and techniques but they can't tell you the gospel on how to find eternal life from the bible.
That folks is the sin of idolatry!!!
Oh it is not just the outdoors that qualifies for idolatry. Many partake in idols of America today like the NFL, movies/entertainment, pro / college sports, material things, money, sex, pride, even denominations of religion and on and on!
The Apostle Paul tells us what idolatry is in the book of Colossians 3:5
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness (greed), which is idolatry.
So based on God's Word if you desire more time in the woods or on the lake then in God's Word that is idolatry. Or if your hearts real desire/pursuit and passion is a bigger buck or a record bass or a new boat that is greed / covetousness or again idolatry.
Jesus said to in Luke 10:27
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Sadly most of America today is truly loving something very different and they love it far more then God Himself!
Jesus also said this in Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
While Christ is talking about money trust me when I say hunting and fishing often even trumps the almighty dollar $$$$ to those who are caught up in its snare. Yes, hunting and fishing falls into that sad category and millions are guilty or putting or loving the things of this world above the Creator God. 1 John 2:15 says do not love the things of the world and hobbies this are indeed of the world!
And can I add this?
I have heard so often that these men are thanking and appreciating, worshiping God as they do these time consuming passion filled outdoor pursuits so it is ok. Again that sounds so spiritual except God never asked us to worship Him by being in the woods shooting a big bear or rutting elk. No, he commanded we worship Him by LEARNING and OBEYING His Word via knowing Jesus Christ. Christ commanded His people to GO and preach the gospel (Matthew 28) not to GO and enjoy outdoor pursuits!
Here is a stark warning to all who spend more time on their hobbies than seeking the kingdom of God in Christ / learning and keeping the eternal word of God...daily!
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power
They will all answer to God for the sin of idolatry and we desire better for all mankind.
Here is a another idolatrous so called ministry using hunting for idol funistry:
Go below and see the gospel, be made new and leave your idolatry today... whatever it may be to serve the living and true God!
God be praised
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