Let’s play an icebreaker. Now, before you start to panic like I usually do when I hear that phrase, let me reassure you – I’m not going to call you out, and you won’t need to announce your answers to the whole class. Just answer it in your head. Ready?

Here’s the question:

“If you were stuck on a deserted island, and could bring three things with you (excluding ways of getting off the island – e.g. no planes, submarines, sailboats, rafts, floaties, etc.), what would they be?”

So what made your list? Perhaps your dad, an inflatable mattress, blanket, year’s worth of Hershey bars, firestarter, or knife? Maybe your phone, computer, and a cell phone tower (since, of course, there’s horrible cell reception on this island)?

While this icebreaker is an incredibly ridiculous scenario, it is very telling of the three most important things to you. 

I have one more question for you: Did the Bible make your list?

***

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” 

– Exodus 20:3-5

God tells us that we, as Christians, can’t have any other gods. While we may not worship statues or figures, I’m willing to wager that we do have gods that we worship. Do you spend time away from God so that you can go watch a football game, catch the latest episode of your favorite new show, wash and wax your gorgeous car, or even spend your entire time at church on your phone? 

I understand the common response: “I’m saved, so there’s no need to spend all of my time with God. After all, He understands that I have a busy life. It’s not like He’s going to stop us from going to Heaven just because we put something else before Him.” And they’re right – God’s not going to keep you from going to Heaven if you are truly saved. But aside from the fact that you are disobeying God’s commands, there’s another issue that many neglect to recognize. 

Have you ever told someone that you are a Christian? Those people are watching you. They want to know why they should consider being a Christian – why are you different? When they see you put other things above God, then they assume that there’s really not anything different about Christians. They think Christians just talk a good game, but don’t act any differently. So why would they want to change?

Romans 12:2 tells us that we should not be of this world. When you are saved, your heart and desires change (Colossians 3:10). But there’s an inward battle that we need to constantly fight – one between the old man and the new man. And it’s your choice as to who wins. 

The way to ensure that the new man wins and the old man dies is putting God before everything else in our lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing. If we are constantly focusing on God and seeking His help and advice in our lives, then we won’t be putting something else before Him. 

So if you are asked that icebreaker question again, what would your answer be?

If you are not 100% sure that you’ll go to Heaven when you die, now is the time to repent and put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you have any questions or doubts about your salvation, click here to learn how you can be saved!

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version.