Identifying Idols

Over the years, I’ve heard idols described in many ways.

Tim Keller says, “It’s when you take a good thing and make it an ultimate thing.” He also says in “Counterfeit Gods” that “the human heart is an idol-factory.”

The way I like to define idols is “whatever sits in the God-slot of your life” (or whatever is sitting on the throne of your heart).

This past weekend, I was doing my Jackie Hill Perry Jude Bible Study. She had us identify the idols in our life. This was a painful exercise, but also one that was good (and spiritually healthy) for me to do.

Jackie had you write down what you felt was an idol. Then she had you write the lie you believed about that idol. Then she had your write the truth, according to God’s Word.

It looked something like this:

Idol: Relationships. (Let’s just use spouse as an example)

Lie: My relationship with my spouse will completely fulfil me. It’s where my security and comfort are found.

Truth: God is the source of all comfort, not people. (2 Corinthians 1:3)

The above was JHP’s example. But I’ll share one of my own.

Idol: Weight Loss

Lie: I will feel better about myself if I am thinner.

Truth: Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them (Jonah 2:8).

I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

Admittedly, this isn’t an idol like it once was in my life. But I’d be less than truthful if I said it didn’t still rear its ugly head sometimes. Thankfully, I’ve made great gains (ha! No pun intended!) to continually lay this idol at the foot of the cross.

I went on to list and name several more idols in my life, and I flipped through the pages of my Bible to find the TRUTH to replace the lie that I was believing.

Truthfully, we ALL have things in our lives that are sitting on the throne, taking the place where only Jesus should be. Our hearts may not want this to be true, but our thoughts, actions, purse-strings, and affections may say otherwise.

So, now it’s your turn! What’s in the God-slot of your life? Is it your job? Your kiddos? Financial security? Government?

Here’s the Truth:

Institutions cease. Governments fail. Wealth vanishes. Beauty fades. Jobs end. The body dies. There is only one thing that ENDURES…Jesus Christ. Let’s make sure He is sitting in His only rightful place in your life…right smack-dab in the center of your heart!

Carmen