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When I was a young man the early
deodorant sprays were just becoming popular. The one in the gold metal can was
called Right Guard. It was touted as a great protection against the evil body
odor problem that mankind suffers. I am not sure what we did before such marvels.
I know that a small cloud of Right Guard properly placed was good insurance against
being offensive to others.
If only all of life's little offenses were so easy to handle.
If we could have a spray for offensive language or rude people we could greatly
improve our society. A shot of hate guard on a bigot might make us safer and happier.
Unfortunately these remedies do yet exist.
The Apostle John was concerned about a more insidious threat
to his children in the faith. Idols! They surround us yet today. No, you won't
see many made of stone or wood. Instead they take on the form of money, power,
people, possessions, TV and pleasure. They are anything you are so devoted to
that you put them before God.
John warned his readers in the last six words of his letter,
"Little children, guard yourselves from idols" (verse
21).
They attach to our hearts, confuse and poison our outlooks and muddle out Christian
walk. We have to be on guard of their influence in our lives. As Christians we
look to Jesus Christ of the Cross, not some temporary thing.
The next time you make the effort to "guard against wetness
and body odor" you could stop to seek God in guarding against idols in your life.
Use some Idol Guard!
All Scripture references are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise
noted.
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~ Idol
Guard 
