Too Many Lovers: A Guide to Freedom from Idolatry

By Paul Taylor

Me? Have a problem with idols? Youve got to be kidding! Thats just something that was practiced by people in ancient religions who werent as well educated as we are todayright?
If this was your first thought, you couldnt be more wrong! The problem of idols and idolatry is not an outdated practice of extinct religions; its actually alive and flourishing today in our modern society. True, our current idols arent typically made of wood, stone, or gold. Thats because idolatry is simply the act of loving and worshipping something or someone more than the one person who actually deserves it God Himself. So by this definition, we can turn anything or anyone into our personal idol and we will suffer for it! Most people, even Christians, who practice idolatry arent even aware of it, but here they are suffering spiritually, emotionally, and even physically but cant seem to connect the dots between misery and the practice of idolatry.
This study guide was developed to help people find out if idolatry is a bigger problem than you realized. It was put together to help you - and maybe a group of your friends - get real and get honest with each other and with God. This guide was designed to complement the book, Too Many Lovers and to go deeper into Gods truth together. Its an opportunity to discover the freedom youve only dreamed of! This study guide is packed with information, examples, challenging questions, practical steps, and personal application to move you from bondage into personal healing!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468539868

Paul Taylor

Author Paul Taylor was born and raised on a gentleman’s farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Alabama. Paul has dedicated his life to understanding and communicating the complexities, interrelationships, politics, sciences, economics and global significance manifested in environmental matters. Mr. Taylor has authored two prior book: “Green Gone Wrong” and “Climate of Ecopolitics.” He has a B.S. degree in Biology/Chemistry and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science from the Tulane University School of Public Health. Paul also has post-graduate environmental training from the University of Alabama Marine Sciences Institute, the University of Maryland, the University of California at Irvine, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Tulane University Law School. And, Paul has been a Registered Environmental Assessor in the State of California. Paul is instructor and curricula developer as faculty in Environmental Science Studies at two Los Angeles universities, and at three other colleges campuses in Southern California in recent years. Paul is founder and principal of Paul Taylor Consulting -- Environmental science and energy consultant to institutions, commercial, industrial and governments, with specialty in scientific environmental impact reports, air and water pollution, wetlands and wildlife resources, sustainable energy and land use. Environmental compliance strategist and court expert witness. Mr. Taylor has posted hundreds of influential “Opinion Comments” in The Wall Street Journal concerning environmental issues -- Ecopolitics. Paul was a weekly contributor as the “Los Angeles Ecopolitics Examiner” under contract to Clarion Media from 2009 to 2013. Over the years he has been published in the Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle and The Washington Times.

Book preview

Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

Unit 1: Idolatry Then & Now

Unit 1: Idolatry Then & Now

Unit 2: God, Our Faithful Partner

Unit 2: God, Our Faithful Partner

Unit 3: The Cost of Idolatry

Unit 3: The Cost of Idolatry

Unit 3: The Cost of Idolatry

Unit 4: Releasing the Grip of Idols

Unit 4: Releasing the Grip of Idols

Unit 4: Releasing the Grip of Idols

Acknowledgements

I was first approached to develop a study guide by Jerry Beneventi and Susan King Beneventi after they read the book Too Many Lovers. Not only did they see the need for a study guide to be developed but more than that, they were willing to help make it happen. To say that I am deeply indebted to both Jerry and Susan is an understatement. It was their vision, our honest conversations around the table, and the many, many long hours of their work that was needed to take this project from concept to reality. They are more than just well-educated and gifted people; they are two strong Christians who have caught the vision of helping people become free from the damaging effects of idolatry. Together we want to see the Kingdom of God grow, the Church become strong, and people everywhere fall in love with the best Lover of All.

I would also like to thank Greg Nadvornik and my wife, Barb, for their invaluable assistance with editing at crunch time.

Finally, the credit really does belong to Jesus Christ who empowers us all to perform what He calls us to do. I am deeply grateful for this genuine love that has kept me from going bonkers more times than I care to admit. There is no greater privilege in life than to be loved for who you are, and not for what you can do. That is true love.

Preface

This Bible study guide offers you a wonderful, life-changing opportunity to understand and remove the number one threat to a healthy love relationship with your Creator!

In April 2011, I began to use Paul Taylor’s book Too Many Lovers as a supplement to my daily Bible reading. The book is about modern day idolatry; a subject I had not seen addressed in Christian best-sellers. I was quickly drawn in by the way Paul communicated some difficult but essential biblical truths in plain English without ever making me feel condemned or hopeless. Somehow, with each passage I read—both those offering encouragement and those stirring up personal conviction—I always ended up feeling very loved by God.

One morning, about halfway through the book, I began to feel that a Bible study guide would allow people to dig deeper into these life-giving, life-changing principles. I picked up the phone and called Paul, Associate Pastor of my church, and asked him what the next step for his book was. As it turned out, Paul was asking the Lord the same thing. He met with my wife Susan and me, and we all prayerfully agreed that in order to get the most out of this important subject, readers need a study guide. Development was soon underway.

We began with the assumption that most people don’t think about idolatry today, or understand how it manifests in a modern society of scientists and intellectuals. However, from a Biblical standpoint, it is given a great deal of attention by the writers of both the Old and New Testaments. From there, we began to see the natural progression of the study guide emerge: take the reader from unawareness to understanding, understanding to personal identification, personal identification to repentance, and repentance to freedom.

With this as its origin, and with a desire to help others recognize and free themselves from something as insidious and devastating as modern-day idolatry, we worked until Too Many Lovers–A Guide to Freedom From Idolatry was completed in December 2011.

The study guide is therefore organized into four main units, progressing from a chronic unawareness of idolatry, to practical steps for removing idols from your life:

Unit 1—Becoming Aware of Idolatry

Unit 2—God, Our Faithful Partner

Unit 3—The Cost of Idolatry

Unit 4—Releasing the Grip of Idols

This study guide is designed to complement the book Too Many Lovers–Uncovering the Deception of Idolatry, although it does not follow the chapters in chronological order but rather, a topical order. It is recommended that both the book and the study guide are used together to maximize the benefit, but the study guide can be used as a stand-alone resource.

Each of the four units contains two to three sessions, for a total of 10 sessions, allowing the study to be completed either within a 10-week period to accommodate Spring, Fall or Summer Christian Educational planning, or approached as a more leisurely, self-paced home Bible study. Each session contains bulleted Summary Boxes that capture and simplify key lessons from the text. Reflection Questions following most subsections offer a thought-provoking and personal, yet group appropriate examination of the key lessons in the Summary Boxes. Life Application Questions at the end of each session encourage you to record what the Holy Spirit is revealing to you privately.

Our prayer is that you will find this study to be honest and easy to understand, an expression of truth spoken in His love. We are learning that the removal of idols requires constant vigilance. An enhanced awareness of idolatry has changed our lives and continues to challenge us spiritually. We know you will find it inspiring, thought-provoking, and life-transforming!

Jerry Beneventi

Unit 1: Idolatry Then & Now

Session 1: Becoming Aware of Idolatry

The Rules of the Road

I needed a car part in a hurry. The auto parts store was on an access road that was no longer easily accessible because of a recent makeover to the intersection. My solution was to cut through the parking lot of a local fast food restaurant which emptied out onto another road, and there I was—at the auto parts store. After all, I was in a hurry. Thinking back, I remember seeing a police car sitting nearby but thought nothing of it. However, just as I was turning into the auto parts driveway, I discovered that same patrol car was now behind me and had his emergency lights on. How odd, I thought. I wonder what that is all about. I was about to find out.

If I want things to go well in my life, I need to learn the rules and principles God has woven into the Christian life, and I must obey them. My other choice is to muddle through my Christian life wondering why I suffer over and over and secretly curse God under my breath for being so hard on me.

The officer approached my window and his first question was, Do you know why I stopped you? My response was both surprised and truthful. I haven’t got a clue! It turned out that my shortcut was against the law. Against the law? You’ve got to be kidding! I discovered that police officers with their emergency lights on who stop cars are in fact, not kidding. Not only was he not kidding, but my decision to take that shortcut had a $120 fine attached to it. I was floored! I had no idea that my little maneuver was wrong! But not knowing it was wrong didn’t exempt me from the consequences of having to pay the fine. I wanted the privilege of driving, but it came with the responsibility of learning the rules of the road. My ignorance did not excuse my wrongdoing. My mistake was certainly understandable, but the truth was—I did break the law.

This experience showed me that I always have a choice in life. If I wanted to avoid the pain of paying tickets in the future, I needed to learn the rules of the road and obey them. If I want things to go well in my life, I need to learn the rules and principles God has woven into the Christian life, and I must obey them. My other choice is to muddle through my Christian life wondering why I suffer over and over and secretly curse God under my breath for being so hard on me.

Being a Christian does not exempt any of us from learning and following the rules of the road that God built into life. The number one rule of the road is illustrated throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelations and clearly stated in Exodus 20:3, You shall have no other gods before Me. To ignore or be ignorant of this command may be the primary reason you, your family, your business, and all of society is suffering right now—whether you know it or not!

There is a danger that emerges when we think we already love God enough, and then gradually, we begin to live lives separated from Him in search of something more. God’s desire is to have His children see the truth, repent, and come back to Him as their first love.

Verse to memorize this week

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place. Revelation 2:4-5

SUMMARY

ƒ I always have a choice in life

ƒ Avoiding pain requires learning the rules of the road of life and obeying them

ƒ Being a Christian does not exempt me from learning and following the rules of the road

ƒ God’s #1 rule of the road of life is no other gods

ƒ Ignorance or indifference to this truth is the primary cause of pain and suffering in individuals, families, and nations

Questions for Reflection

1. Why do you think ignorance of the law is not an excuse in traffic court?

2. Is it possible to sin without being aware of it?

3. How does God deal with you when you commit an offense against Him or others in ignorance?

4. Is pain the best way to learn the rules of the road? Why or why not?

5. How does your behavior change when you know there is a police officer watching?

6. How does our relationship with God change knowing we always have a choice in life?

7. Can you think of any popular ideas today that excuse our sin choices?

Practicing Idolatry Today

Unfortunately, most Christians are practicing idolatry today and don’t even know it.

Unfortunately, most Christians are practicing idolatry today and don’t even know it. It’s time we become aware of the rampant, yet unrecognized sin of idolatry that has gradually corrupted the precious relationship between God the Father and the people who are called by His name. Christians are suffering spiritually, emotionally, and even physically from too many lovers without realizing it.

How does this happen? Instead of loving God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength, Christians fall back in love with the world they just left perhaps because of an offense towards Him or the excitement and pleasure they feel they are missing out on. With our lips we tell God we love Him, but our thoughts and actions are telling Him a completely different story.

Listen to the problem from