In We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry, G.K. Beale presents a compelling thesis: "What people revere, they resemble, either for ruin or restoration" (Beale, 2008, p. 16). This statement encapsulates the spiritual (and theological) truth that humans, as image-bearing creatures, inevitably reflect the object of their worship. Using Beale's tracing of this concept across Scripture, let's discuss how idolatry distorts human identity while the worship of the true God restores and transforms.

The Nature of Idolatry

Beale begins by defining idolatry as the act of giving ultimate allegiance to anything other than God. Drawing on Martin Luther's definition, he notes, "Whatever your heart clings to and relies upon, that is your God" (Beale, 2008, p. 17). Idolatry is not just about bowing to physical idols; it encompasses anything that displaces God as the ultimate source of security and significance in our lives.

The ironic futility of idolatry is encapsulated in the very thing that is the idol—a lifeless human creation that cannot see, hear, or act.

"Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but they cannot speak; they have eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but they cannot hear; they have noses, but they cannot smell" (Psalm 115:4-6).

Thus, those who worship idols become like them—spiritually blind, deaf, and lifeless. Beale points to Isaiah 6:9-10 as a foundational example, where God declares that idol-worshiping Israel will have eyes but not see, ears but not hear, and hearts that are dull and unresponsive (Beale, 2008, pp. 36–37). This is not mere punishment but a natural consequence of their misplaced worship

Idolatry in the Old Testament

The Old Testament shows how idolatry leads to spiritual and moral decay. Beale examines passages like Psalm 135:15-18 and Jeremiah 2:5, which depict Israel's descent into sin as a result of worshiping false gods:

"What injustice did your fathers find in Me? They went far from Me and walked after emptiness, and became empty" (Jeremiah 2:5).

When we exchange the glory of God for worthless idols, we obscure and even lose our distinct identity as God's people. The universality of idolatry is noted for us in Genesis; instead of ruling over creation as God's representatives, humans sought autonomy, leading to their eventual enslavement by the very creation they were meant to govern (Beale, 2008, p. 129ff).

Becoming What We Worship in the New Testament

The New Testament maintains the theme of becoming like what we worship, emphasizing restoration through Christ. Beale points out passages like Romans 1:18-32, where Paul illustrates how humanity's rejection of God results in their moral and spiritual decline.

"For they exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen" (Romans 1:25).

Conversely, worshiping Christ has the opposite effect.

But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18).

While idolatry leads to ruin, true worship leads to restoration, conforming believers to the image of Christ—the perfect reflection of God, which God promises (Beale, 2008, p. 269-271).

Practical Implications for Today

Beale's insights have profound implications for modern Christians. In a culture saturated with idols—whether material wealth, power, or self-gratification—the call to worship the true God is more urgent than ever. He warns that idolatry is subtle and pervasive, often taking innocuous or commendable forms. For example, placing career success, family, or personal happiness above God can quickly become a form of idolatry.

There is hope. As we look to Lent, which is only a few weeks away, let us remember that the process of becoming more like God through worship is gradual and not instantaneous; it requires daily commitment to His Word, prayer, and community.

Esau McCaulley, in his book Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal (McCaulley, 2022), writes, "Lent is inescapably about repenting." Each year, the Church invites us into a season of repentance and fasting, offering an opportunity to prepare our hearts for the profound events of Holy Week. This season is not merely a call to self-denial or self-improvement but a transformative journey of turning away from sin and toward Christ's abundant mercy and grace.

Lent is not a ritual to be performed mindlessly or reduced to a personal improvement project. Instead, it is a season of intentional worship, allowing us to confront the idols of our hearts, acknowledge our sinfulness, and turn toward the Savior who restores and redeems us.

We can view Lent as an invitation to take stock of our spiritual lives, see where we have fallen susceptible to idolatry, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us resist idolatry's pull and instead grow in Christlikeness.

Another practical practice we can partake in is fasting during this Lent season. Fasting creates space to confront the idols that subtly take root in our hearts—whether they are material comforts, self-reliance, or the pursuit of worldly success. This Lent, Christians are invited to fast not as an empty ritual but as a powerful act of worship and transformation. Esau McCaulley reminds us that fasting must not become "religion as performance instead of a service offered to God" (McCaulley, 2022).

Remember what we pointed out from G.K. Beale's insights: "what people revere, they resemble, either for ruin or restoration" (Beale, 2008, p. 16). Through fasting, we turn away from lesser allegiances and direct our worship toward God, allowing Him to transform us into His image. This practice purges the spiritual blindness and deafness that idolatry creates and reorients us toward the One who restores and redeems.

This Lent, consider fasting as a way to identify the idols in your life and surrender them to God. It will draw us nearer to the essence of true worship and ready us for the joy of the Resurrection, allowing God's grace to transform us into His image.

To worship the true God is to be restored to our intended purpose; to worship anything else is to lose our humanity and destiny (Beale, 2008, p. 282).

In a world filled with competing allegiances, Christians should daily recommit themselves to the worship of God, knowing that this is the path to true restoration and glory.

References

Beale, G. K. (2008). We become what we worship: A biblical theology of idolatry. InterVarsity Press.

McCaulley, E. (2022). Lent: The season of repentance and renewal. InterVarsity Press.