Blest Be the Tie that...Blinds?!? (Part 1)

7-out-of-10 adults in America choose their earthly family over their heavenly Father when asked to choose the most important relationship in their lives. That’s what a 2007 Barna study discovered when more than a thousand adults over the age of 18 were surveyed.

* 1/3 said their entire nuclear family is more important than God.
* 22% named their spouse as the most important relationship in their lives.
* 17% said their children were of chief importance.
* 3% identified their parents as the most important relationship in their lives.

70% of American adults have elevated their families above even God in their priorities! In their emphasis upon family, they have devalued God in the process.

I fully expect to be misunderstood in this week’s blog, but I’m going to try to speak as clearly as I can. I’m in the midst of a series of blogs on “American Idolatry” in which I’m addressing subtle ways that we have allowed idolatry to creep in and camp out in our lives…sometimes unnoticed and unaddressed!

Remember, anything that takes our love and loyalty away from the Lord becomes an idol in our lives…and idols are not always evil things. Sometimes the object of our idolatry is, in and of itself, a very good thing. It reminds me of Augustine’s definition of idolatry that we considered in a previous entry: “Idolatry is worshipping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that is meant to be worshipped.” Anything and everything holds the potential to become an idol in our lives…even something as commendable and beautiful as family.

We’ve all heard the classic hymn, “Blest Be the Tie that Binds.” The story behind that song is beautiful, by the way. I hope you’ll check it our when you get a chance. But consider this twist: “Blest Be the Tie that...Blinds?” It’s a valid question…it’s a necessary question.

Can families really expect the pleasure of God upon their homes if His authority and supremacy are downplayed…or even dismissed? And while I have no doubt that every parent reading this blog means well, there is such a thing as being “blinded by good intentions.” And those who put family above God in their lives and in their homes are often blinded to their sin of idolatry. So, knowing full-well my risk of being misunderstood, I rise to denounce the idol of family!

Mark 3:31-35
31-Then His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him.
32-A crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.”
33-Answering them, He said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?”
34-Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers!
35-“For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.”