Beware what you love; you become your object of affection

Beware what you love; you become your. Beware what you love; you become your object of affection.

Key points

• Case Chair of Evangelism and Discipleship at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
• Special elections to be held Tuesday in Mississippi House Districts 70 and 77.
• 11 Texas want to keep momentum going against a Mississippi State team missing Taylor.
• Jackson receiving $100 million grant from the Trump administration's Dept.
• Ole Miss and coach Chris Beard look to bounce back with a transfer-heavy roster.

God can take the broken pieces of our lives, the horrific mistakes, the botched opportunities, the wicked outcomes emerging from our evil hearts and employ them as reminders as we move forward for the Kingdom.

Augustine once remarked, "Such is each one as is his love. Love earth, you shall be earth."

In other words, it matters what you love, and what you worship. You become like the object to which you devote your passionate attention.

Lately I was reflecting on the Golden Calf incident in Exodus. As readers might recall, Moses is up on Sinai with the Lord receiving the two tablets of the Ten Commandments. The individuals down below, worrying concerning what seems to be taking so long, panic and take egregious action.with the assistance of the seemingly intimidated Aaron. "Tear off the rings of gold.and bring them to me." From the molten metal he fashioned a calf (symbolic of strength and fertility in the Ancient Near East) and then, inexplicably, declared, "Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord."

Syncretism is a debilitating thing: mixing one's homemade version of God with.God. Calvin intimated that the calf episode was Israel's attempt to create God accessible by manufacturing of deity on their own terms. Anthropologists have observed that, in cultures where this happens, the individuals end up taking on the moral character attributed to the animal or whatever image they have devised and deemed worthy of celebration and prostration. The reason this happens, according to these same anthropologists, is that individuals create a "god" that represents the sum total of the values they appreciate the most. Hence, individuals end up worshipping.themselves.

A.W. Tozer once remarked, "We tend by a secret law of the soul to move to the mental image of our God." If you want a terrifying prospect, just imagine becoming more like the worst of your own personality! The Psalmist twice reminds us that "The idols of the nations are but silver and gold, the work of man's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear, nor is there any breath at all in their mouths. Those who create them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them."

Anyone who appreciates the insights of the anthropologists and knows the depth of Scripture and of their own sin ought to tremble.

Afterwards in the story, Moses comes down from the mountain and finds the residents "out of control." Not chaotic, so to speak, for there was much organization put into the calf episode. Sacrifice, planning, an altar, dancing, music, offerings-all valid elements of worship when practiced appropriately."Out of control" here, in the Hebrew, is not so much chaos but the removal of restraint. As Exodus suggests; but eventually Moses charges the individuals, "Dedicate yourselves today to the LORD." We are informed that that word "dedicate" milʾû yedkhem, is quite literally, "Fill your hand, " meaning to consecrate someone for service, there is much more to the story. Fact of the matter is, hands are typically filled on a moment-by-moment basis in a spiritual sense – either with doing your will, or the Lord's.

One more note regarding this passage that moved me as I studied it that day – while not part of the biblical text. Moses comes down and hears the singing surrounding worship of the calf, sees the dancing individuals, and shatters the tablets at the foot of the mountain. Rabbinic tradition suggests that both the replacement tablets and the fragments of the first tablets were put in the ark of the covenant. The broken pieces were not discarded.

There is great hope in that tradition. God can take the broken pieces of our lives, the horrific mistakes, the botched opportunities, the wicked outcomes emerging from our evil hearts and employ them as reminders as we move forward for the Kingdom.

Instead of forgetting our "golden calf" episodes, we remember (even as we wince at our pasts) as we continue our whole-hearted pilgrimage for Him. Regarding the Author(s).

Dr. Matt Friedeman holds the John M. Case Chair of Evangelism and Discipleship at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He is the husband of Mary, the dad of six kids and the author of a number of books. Faith Alistair Begg October 29, 2026.

Scripture calls us to put others first. We are to learn to play second fiddle without complaining or perversely seeking to be commended for doing so. More From This Author. Faith Matt Friedeman October 11, 2026. Notably, the athletes of God. Faith Matt Friedeman October 5, 2026. Paralyzed by fear? Jesus has an answer for that. Faith Matt Friedeman September 28, 2026. The 'Mississippi Miracle' and what it can mean for the Church. Faith Alistair Begg October 30, 2026. Faith Alistair Begg October 28, 2026.

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Jackson receiving $100 million grant from the Trump administration's Dept. Of Justice to backing public safety. News Jeremy Pittari October 30, 2026.

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Special elections to be held Tuesday in Mississippi House Districts 70 and 77. Business Meredith Biesinger October 22, 2026. New Albany's claim to cake fame: Sugaree's Bakery. Business Frank Corder October 20, 2026. Fairbanks Morse Defense doubling manufacturing capacity at its Pascagoula facility. Business Cass Rutledge October 20, 2026. Lumber manufacturer investing $8.3 million in Macon expansion. Culture Jim Vertuno, Associated Press October 30, 2026.

Manning and No. 11 Texas want to keep momentum going against a Mississippi State team missing Taylor. Culture Susan Marquez October 30, 2026. What's happening in the Magnolia State this November? Culture Associated Press October 29, 2026.

Ole Miss and coach Chris Beard look to bounce back with a transfer-heavy roster. Opinion Roger Wicker October 30, 2026. Honoring Mississippi's role in American history. Opinion Sid Salter October 28, 2026.

'Hail, Dear Old' State!' meant something quite special to the late Dr. Richard E. Holmes. Opinion Laurie Todd-Smith October 27, 2026.

It was hard work. That is exactly why it is a miracle.

For now, beware what you love; you become your object of affection remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.