Idols of the HeartShembull

We have seen that idolatry is a heart issue. People abandon God’s ways and do things their way as they become wise in their own eyes. Look at Adam and Eve. Eve did not want to go to God for wisdom and knowledge. She wanted it independent of God, the fount of all wisdom. Eve desired the fruit more than God.

Idols of the heart are very deceptive because we can sometimes justify our actions by weaponizing scripture. Example: When we sin, we can minimize our behaviour by saying, "God is loving, He is forgiving, He is gracious. He does not condemn. He wants the best for me." We take scripture out of context and its overarching principles to suit our ends.

At the root of idolatry is a lack of trust in God’s goodness and that He will always give us good things, even when the wait is long.

Religion, too, can be an idol when we seek the gifts, ministry, position, more than Jesus.

AREAS OF IDOLATRY

Let us look at some broad categories of idols of the heart. Here is one:

PLEASURE /FEEL GOOD

We live in a feeling-driven world. If it feels good, it must be right. The feel-good idol wants a life of pleasure at all costs. This person is feeling driven and does not walk led by the Spirit. Their lives are ruled by wrong and undisciplined feelings that dictate to them in ways you cannot imagine, and they call it freedom! Freedom is not permission to do your own thing; rather, it is freedom from inner compulsions.

The feel-good idol will also make you do anything to numb the pain and seek pleasure. You can’t always feel good, yet you want to show that you are in this constant state of happiness. Just take a look at people’s Instagram posts and reels if you think this is not true. The need to project that all is well all the time causes you to live in deception and creates a false impression.

This idol also says, “Do not disturb my life, my doctrine, my comfort level."

REFLECTIONS

Have you ever wrongly used scripture to justify your behaviour or choices?

Do you identify with the above broad categories of idols of the heart?

Is there anyone you can talk to about them?