Recently, a friend invited me to her home to dedicate some space to her new faith—the Warrior Goddess movement. Though the invitation was thoughtful, it made me sad, because my friend is chasing a lesser god. I won’t spend time on the belief system of the Warrior Goddess movement, but when the focus turns toward created things and away from the Creator Himself—it’s taken a wrong turn. 

Lesser gods surround us. Mankind has been drawn to them since Adam’s fall. Paul stated, “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles . . . They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen (Romans 1:22-23, 25).”

Did you catch the part about the lie? Guess who’s behind that one.

Why do we chase lesser gods? For me, a sense of control plays heavily into my choices. Sin factors in too, as it distorts my ability to see truth. Pride contributes as well. To be completely dependent on God for my salvation requires me to admit need. I’d rather be self-sufficient. Yet, Paul reminds us, a trade for a lesser god trades down, not up.

God offers so much more.

1. Purpose: God has crafted a destiny specific to you. ^“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

2. Presence: The Holy Spirit sets up permanent residency within every believer. “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5-6

3. Peace: Peace. The heavenly kind. The kind that’s beyond understanding. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” Romans 5:1-2

Lesser gods sell a lie:

• There are many ways to Christ.
• You can earn your way to heaven.
• Trying hard is enough.
• God is just another dominating male who has no place in His kingdom for daughters. 
• Sin is no big deal.
• There is no standard. Just do what’s right for you. 
• As long as your good deeds outweigh your bad ones, you’re good to go. 
• Hell? You’re kidding, right?

Lies. Every one. 

As you prepare for the new year, ask God to show you where you have traded down.

Commit to seeking Him in 2020. Why settle for anything less?

Workout for the Week: Lesser Gods

Memory Verse: “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” Romans 1:25

Meditation Passage: Romans 1

Do It: Trade up.