There is an old proverb that states; “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”. This refers to the traits of a child that have been passed down from the parents.
Some traits are physical: My grandson for instance is a spitting image of his dad.
A lot of traits are learned: as children watch and emulate the actions and speech of their parents, sports stars, and celebrities, they become like them by how they speak, what they wear, and how they think.

Spiritually speaking, all of mankind can be viewed through this statement: “The apple never rolls so far that it does not make known whence it came.”

Jesus said in Matthew 7:16-20,

You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16-20)

We become like the person, people, or things that we cast our allegiance toward. The object of our affections produces the fruit which identifies us with the tree.

In Psalm 135: 15–18, the Psalmist writes of this very thing:

“The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them.” (Psalm 135:15-18)

As Christians, we like to think that we don’t serve idols. At least I’m sure that no one who claims to be a Christian would admit to it.
But what is an idol?

In Old Testament times the prophets of Israel railed against the people for their worship of idols. These were pagan deities that people specifically worshipped, either in place of God or as an amendment to the worship of God. Great amounts of time, money, and effort were directed toward these manmade objects.

An idol is the same thing today that it has always been.

It may look different, but an idol is still an idol.

Anything that we love more than God can be considered an idol. Anything that takes our affection away from the things of God can be considered an idol.

 

Six significant things to notice about idols.

1. They are the works of human hands – they look good, effort, time and costly resources go into their making
2. They are unable to speak: words of truth, wisdom, comfort, or peace, yet their call attracts us.
3. They are unable to see; to give spiritual direction, yet we let them led us; we follow after them.
   They are unable to hear: the heart cry of the soul, yet we call for them.
4. They are dead Spiritually, there is no life in them, yet we continue to offer sacrifices to them, time, money, devotion, even at the cost of other things.
5. Those who make them and trust in them are just like them: working to look good, Unable to speak Godly truth, and wisdom to others unable to be led by the spirit of God, or lead others, unable to hear God speak through His word and, Dead Spiritually; no life within.

What we worship…what we put our resources toward, our time, energy, passion, love, and devotion…is what we will be like.

People will see what tree we fall from.

What are the idols that you have in your life that you need to get rid of?