I have recently taken a fascination to the Genesis 31 story about Jacob’s exodus from his father-in-law’s house in Paddan-aram to return to his homeland. Jacob had been cheated by Laban, his father-in-law, since he moved in with him. He worked fourteen years in exchange for his wives, Rachel and Leah, and another six years for his livestock. One day, God told Jacob to take his household and possessions and return home to Canaan. Jacob discussed this with his wives who agreed to return with him. Then he devised a plan to flee from Paddan-aram without saying goodbye for fear that Laban would prevent him from leaving. But one of his wives, Rachel did the most bizarre thing:

Now while Laban was out shearing his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household idols…Rachel had taken Laban’s household idols, put them in the saddlebag of her camel, and was sitting on them. And Laban searched everything in the tent but found nothing. Rachel said to her father, “Sir, do not be angry that I cannot stand up before you; for I am having my period.” So Laban searched but could not find the household idols.

Genesis 31:19, 34-35 BSB

Rachel could have taken gold or trinkets or something of great worth. But instead, she stole household idols- worthless household idols! She was moving to a foreign land, an unknown place, and she chose to cling to the familiar. Though she has said yes to God’s call, she did not want to let go of her old ways.

In many ways we are like Rachel. We have received God’s free gift of salvation and with this gift, we have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into God’s kingdom (1 Peter 2:9). But many of us continue to drag things from our past life into this new kingdom. We do everything in our power to protect old habits, unhealthy relationships, and ungodly behaviours. We make excuses such as, “That’s just who I am,” “I worked hard for my money and I can do whatever I want with it,” “I deserve to have a little fun,” “As long as I am not hurting anyone, its ok!”…and the list goes on. With words like these, we protect the idols we have stolen from the kingdom of darkness: habits of anger, bitterness, selfishness, strive, jealousy, unforgiveness, drunkenness, debauchery, sexual immorality, filthy speech, you name it. We forget that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT).

This is why Romans 12:2 is such an important scripture for every believer.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

You do not want to be ensnared by and encumbered with worthless habits, behaviours, and customs of this world. You have been set free so let go of the idols! Don’t hide them like Rachel did. Instead, let the light of Christ expose these idols. Then confess and renounce them. Like David, let your prayer be:

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139: 23-24 KJV

This story is more or less about syncretism and the idols we hold dear. And by idols, I am not only referring to statues, talismans, and charms, but also the familiar, unhealthy, and ungodly habits and the sins that so easily beset us. You see, the problem with idols (habits and secret sins) is that they have a way of taking over one’s life. Idolatry is like “a little yeast that leavens the whole batch of dough” (Galatians 5:9). What may have started as harmless fun soon becomes an entrenched habit or character trait. Consequently, we find ourselves once again in bondage to the kingdom of darkness because we have held on to something from that kingdom. In Rachel’s story, what started as just household idols soon became a problem for the whole community after a few years. Idolatry had so infiltrated Jacob’s household that he had to tell everyone in his household to get rid of their idols and purify themselves before continuing on their journey (Genesis 35:2).

Jesus remains our example. Before He left earth, He said, “…for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me” (John 14:30 KJV). Satan had no claim or power over Jesus because Jesus had nothing in Him that belonged to the kingdom of darkness. Can the same be said of you and I?

The psalmist, in Psalm 24: 3, asks two poignant questions: Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? And he answers:

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol…

Psalm 24: 4 BSB

As I end this post, my prayer for you and myself comes from the lyrics of a song:

Yours Truly.