Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 John 5:19-21

"We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. [My] little children, guard yourselves from idols." — 1 John 5:19-21 (ASV)

And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

Amen.

After the Reformation in England, there was a certain part of the church called the rood-loft, where the crucifix had to be. It was ordered by the Reformers, when "the holy rood" was taken away, that these words should be printed in capital letters in its place—LITTLE CHILDREN KEEP YOURSELVES FROM IDOLS.

This was an admirable arrangement, and this text might very profitably be put up in a good many Ritualistic churches today, instead of the Agnus Dei and the crucifix—Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

Might we not also say to many a mother and many a father concerning their children, and to many a lover of money and hungerer after gold, Keep yourselves from idols.?

Idolatry will intrude itself in one form or another. Some idolize themselves; they look in the mirror, and there see the face of their god. O beware of all idolatry! Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. We may very well say "Amen" to that.