You can’t serve two masters

First thing’s first.

There can only be one #1. What do we put first in our lives? The master we serve and worship is reflected at the top of our To Do lists, in what drives us through our day, by how we spend our time. 

Jesus declares in Matthew 6:24a: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”  Jesus is specifically referencing the love of wealth in this verse. The Greek translation mamonas, is wealth, personified as an object of worship. 

It makes me ask myself, am I worshipping anything besides God?

I used to think idolatry was only about worshipping multiple gods and making sacrifices to statues… you know, pagan stuff. I thought worshipping false idols did not apply to modern culture, let alone my own life. Boy, was I wrong.

It doesn’t have to be a golden calf to be an idol.

With eyes of faith, I’ve come to see idols as more like priorities.

What is most important to you? Where do you spend your time and energy? What do you value? What are you seeking in life?

If it’s not God first, you might have an idol. I sure did.

The master I served was the scale. I was a slave to my pursuit of weight loss. I didn’t realize I was taking it too far because I wasn’t alone: this family member is only eating low carb, this friend hits the gym every day for an hour, that friend tracks every morsel and step on her FitBit, and nearly every woman in my life is trying to just lose X pounds.

You can’t serve two masters.

The master I served was the scale. I was a slave to my pursuit of weight loss. I didn’t realize I was taking it too far because I wasn’t alone: this family member is only eating low carb, this friend hits the gym every day for an hour, that friend tracks every morsel and step on her FitBit, and nearly every woman in my life is trying to just lose X pounds.

It’s so easy to turn our bodies into false idols through obsessive thoughts about appearance, dieting, working out, and trying to look perfect. I, for one, have been doing it for decades. In this media-saturated world, it’s the air we breathe.

Diet Culture places the world’s unrealistic standard of beauty on a high altar for all to see, and shames anyone who does not conform to it. Out of fear, shame and ignorance, I have worshiped at this altar since puberty.

I was consumed by the idea that I was not good enough as I am and that I need to change to become good enough.

I bought completely into Diet Culture, mistreated my body, God’s temple, with eating disorders, chronic dieting and compulsive exercise. I became so obsessed with physical appearance that health became a false idol in my life. I was so selfish. I didn’t know how to love myself, love others or love God.

No one can serve two masters. This verse is a reminder to put first things first. It is an opportunity to examine our hearts and ask God to examine our hearts, too, so He can shine a light to show us dark corners where sin or idolatry might be lurking.

Anything we put before God can be a false idol.

• When weight loss becomes the main focus and purpose in life…
• When weight loss occupies all of your thoughts…
• When weight loss drains all of your energy…
• When weight loss takes over your priorities…
• When dieting makes you believe you aren’t worthy of love just as you are…

…that’s when the pursuit of weight loss and dieting becomes a false idol. It was for me.

I am praying for an undivided, obedient and devoted heart that remains true to God first, God alone and worships nothing else. 

I am praying that tearing down idols and putting God back on the throne in my heart will be a visible demonstration of my faith that draws me nearer to God and points others towards Him.