Idolatry comes in many forms. The worship of nature is idolatry. There’s hero worship. Then, there’s the worship of created things. The New Testament includes coveting in idolatry also (Matt. 6:24).
Recently, a South Carolina teen brought my attention to a new TV commercial put out by Scion – a car brand backed by Toyota. He posted on facebook, ” After seeing the new Scion commercial, I know now never to buy one.” Of course this sparked my attention.
The ad in question features a caricature of the false god, Zeus. He opens with, “They call me Zeus because I’m the God of the gods. You know what else I’m the god of? Awesome.” The Scion vehicle is a low-end automobile – marketed specifically toward youth. Scions are known for bright colors, loud stereos and tricked out features. Scion bills Zeus as the “creator of the High Voltage Scion tC.”
Some will view this commercial and shrug it off. Some will laugh and some will make a purchase. Few, however, will be appalled by the idolatrous nature of the sketch. This doesn’t just happen though. If you showed this to a group of 100 teens, how many would honestly have an issue with it? Two? Three? Thereby – the question then becomes, who will teach them the good and right Way? Who will disciple the youth of the world to see and understand idolatry when they see it?
Advertisers will not stop using idolatry when marketing to youth. The love of evil will increase in the world until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul is very clear: “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, he will also reap” Gal. 6:7 Scion/Toyota has chosen to sow a piece of ridiculous advertising that mocks the one true God. How much more so should we be investing in the lives of young people – sowing the Truth in love?
About Justin
Totes dude, Its a great point that you make. Nothing is wrong with having a tricked out car, flashy colors, loud stereo, or having your car auto-tuned. What is wrong is mocking God and tempting Him. I am sure that sometimes God looks on earth and just wants to smack the taste right out of our mouths for doing the things that we do. I am sure that He wants to grab us by the shoulders and shake us really good and scream at as “WHAT ARE YOU DOINNNNNGGGGG???!!!!!!!” Don’t Tempt God, He destroyed the earth, He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He can destroy you and He will do it if He sees fit to.
Youth, Do not be deceived. Not only is God not to be mocked, He is to be feared, Honored, and Respected. Don’t think for a second you can pull one over God’s eyes… Cuz you cant!!!!!!