True idolatry is of the heart.
The Bible is replete with references to idolatry as well as cautions against its immorality. Not only in the Old Testament, either. John ends one of the last letters he wrote in the New Testament with the words, “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” John 5:21
The Bible forbids us against idolatry of the heart in Ezekiel 14:1–8. Since the heart is the core of who we are and the basis of our inner being, idolatry there is actually quite hazardous.
How then do we deal with these idols in our hearts? We need to recognize them and recognize the seriousness of having these idols in our lives. They harm our intimacy with God and may have resulted in painful experiences of God’s silence and judgment. But God in his grace, gives us a solution. He asks that we repent.
To remove these idols and turn back to Him. To replace them with the One Thing that truly satisfies, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His love for us. See who He truly is in your life and what He has done for you. My beloved brothers and sisters, I don’t know what idols you may have in your life. But you are presented with two ways to respond:
You can refuse to give up your idols. But that means you will live a life that’s constantly unfulfilled, full of fear, guilt, anger, despair and ultimately, hopelessness, as you exchange one idol for another. Or you could give up all your idols and replace it with Jesus.
If your desire is to give up your idols and replace it with Jesus alone, let’s pray together.
“Father God, it’s so difficult to give up my idols.
I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am in life. I’ve worked so hard to gain these things for myself, for our families, for our children – and these are good things. I’ve put in so much into our relationships, our hobbies, our skills, our careers, my appearance, my work and my ministry.
But perhaps you may wonder what relevance this has to you and me today. Is idolatry still an issue for us? As Christians, most of us don’t bow before physical statues or worship idols! But does that mean we don’t have trouble with idols? Are there other idols that we fall prey to?
But you’ve confronted us with the fact that I’ve made these things an idol. I’ve elevated it to replace you God. I’ve placed my worth, my meaning, my significance and security into these things. I’ve made them an idol. Oh God, I’m sorry, I want to repent, to turn away from them, and to you.
God, in His mercy and grace may be surfacing some idols in your heart. Many idols are good things, but they become bad when we elevate them to a position reserved for God alone. Good things can become an idol when we attach our meaning, significance and security, safety and fulfillment to these things, instead of God.
While you are reading have a journal handy to write down what you hear from God. Expect to hear something! Not sure if what you’re hearing is from God or not? If it’s a Biblical principle to put into your life, you can’t go wrong! If it’s a bigger decision (changing jobs, moving, or marrying) look for principles, but be expecting more specific guidance also. It may take a while, but if you are in the Word, God will speak.
But thank you Lord for helping me recognize these idols.
God, you are calling me not just to recognize these idols, but to remove and replace them. I know that it’s so hard to leave them but I acknowledge that you may be calling me to live my life without something I’ve never thought I could live without. But if I have you, I have the only wealth, health, love, honor, and security I really need and cannot lose. Jesus, I have you and you are truly all that I need. Christ, you are enough for me.
Help me grasp the riches that I have in Jesus Christ and your love for me in Christ.
May I find my worth, my meaning, my significance and security in You alone.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
