False Gods

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase false gods?

For most of us, it sounds like something from ancient times: golden calves, desert rituals, and warnings carved into stone tablets. But pause for a moment - are false gods really a thing of the past, or are they alive and thriving in modern life?

The first commandment given to Moses was clear: love the Lord your God and don’t put false gods before him. The Israelites missed the memo and built a golden calf to worship in the wilderness. Fast forward a few thousand years, and our calves look a little shinier - dollars, devices, fame, status, even the quiet pull of addiction.

Today’s Golden Calves

At a societal level, the most obvious idol is money. The mighty dollar often drives individuals, organisations, and even nations to trample over one another in pursuit of more. We have also crafted a celebrity culture where athletes, artists, and influencers are adored with near-religious devotion. And then there is technology - our smartphones have become modern shrines, glowing in our hands, consuming our gaze.

At a personal level, false gods are more subtle.

They show up in obsessions and addictions: compulsive shopping, gambling, binge-watching, endless scrolling. Author Richard Rohr describes addiction as the modern name for what the biblical traditions called sin. Medieval Christians used the language of passions or attachments. Whatever the word, the result is the same. When something controls us, we lose sight of God (Source: Rohr, Breathing Under Water, 2011).

A Mirror for Our Time

Ken Wilber, in his framework of spiritual growth, calls this work cleaning up: noticing unhealthy patterns and loosening their grip. It starts with honest reflection.

Where does your time go?

• Work beyond 40 hours?

• Family and care?

• Health and exercise?

• News and information?

• Entertainment and sport?

• Social media?

• Self-education and hobbies?

If one area crowds out the rest, it may have tipped from passion into obsession. Ask yourself: am I in control of this activity, or is it controlling me?

The Core Commandment

Jesus distilled faith into two commandments: love God, and love your neighbour as yourself. That raises an uncomfortable but necessary question: how much of your time is truly spent loving? If the balance is skewed, it may point toward a false god quietly pulling the strings.

Becoming Your True Self

The goal is not guilt, but awareness. Spiritual writer Thomas Merton reminds us that only by stripping away illusions can we uncover the true self - the person we were created to be. Identifying and releasing false gods is not about losing pleasure or productivity. It is about re-orienting life toward love, freedom, and authenticity.

So here is today’s challenge:

What golden calves are still standing in your life, and what small step can you take to topple them?

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FAQs: False Gods in Today’s World

What are modern false gods and how do they affect spiritual life?

Modern false gods are the things we give ultimate priority to that aren’t God - money, fame, technology, status, even compulsive habits. They affect spiritual life by pulling our attention, time, and energy away from love of God and neighbour, creating imbalance and disconnection. Studies on digital addiction show that excessive screen time is linked with higher anxiety and lower life satisfaction (Source: Frontiers in Psychology, 2021).

How do I know if something in my life has become a false god?

A good test is control. Ask yourself: do I control this activity, or does it control me? If work, money, entertainment, or even social media consistently demand more than their share of time and energy, they may have become false gods. Reflection on time use is a simple but powerful diagnostic tool (Source: A St Lucia Spirituality perspective).

What does the Bible say about false gods?

Scripture warns repeatedly against idols. In Exodus 32, the Israelites built the golden calf as a substitute for God, leading to chaos and disconnection. In the New Testament, Jesus simplifies the command into two essentials: love God and love your neighbour (Matthew 22:37-39). When other pursuits take first place, they compete with these central commandments.

Can technology become a false god?

Yes - technology itself is neutral, but obsession with devices can tip into idolatry. Globally, people now spend an average of 6 hours and 37 minutes per day on screens (Source: DataReportal, 2024). When phones or social media dominate, they risk replacing deeper presence, prayer, and relationships. Used with balance, technology can serve spiritual life rather than rule it.

How can I replace false gods with healthier practices?

Start with awareness, then reorient. Replace obsession with practices that nurture love and connection: prayer, meditation, community, service, and gratitude. Richard Rohr suggests addiction is the modern word for sin, meaning liberation requires concrete disciplines of release and renewal (Source: Rohr, Breathing Under Water, 2011). Small daily shifts toward balance create space for the true self to emerge.

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About the Author - John Scoble

John's journey began in the heart of a traditional Roman Catholic family in Sydney, where he was raised with steadfast faith and reverence. Now residing in the serene surroundings of St Lucia, Brisbane, alongside his beloved wife, John finds solace and inspiration in the tranquil rhythms of life. With four adult children and a cherished grandchild also calling Brisbane home, John's family is his anchor, providing love, support, and a sense of belonging.

While spirituality has always been a cornerstone of his life, it was three transformative events in 2012, including a sacred pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, that ignited a profound shift in John's spiritual trajectory. Embracing retirement as an opportunity for deeper exploration, John immersed himself in extensive reading and soulful reflection.

Over the course of a decade, this journey of self-discovery has led John to reevaluate and transcend many of his traditional beliefs, embracing instead the timeless wisdom and cosmic perspective inherent in Christianity. Influenced by luminaries such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila, and Richard Rohr, John's spiritual evolution has been marked by a deepening resonance with the essential truths of his faith and a profound connection to the divine unfolding within and around him.