Idolatry

Idolatry

Idolatry isn’t exclusive to graven images. In both the old testament and new testament we’re warned against graven images and false gods. But what if the idol over our heart isn’t a deity - what if it’s just a “really good thing” or “the desire of our heart”?

Idol worship can be surrendering your purpose for an ideal or a thing. Maybe you believe you won’t be complete until you’re married, have kids, or have achieved business or academic success? Idol worship can be submitting to the idea that you aren’t whole until you have the desire of your heart so your life’s choices are made to ensure you achieve the desire of your heart.

How to recognize an idol:

1.) It’s more important to you than Yeshua. 

2.) It’s more important than the calling He’s placed on your life.

What happens when you submit to these idols over your heart?

1.) Exile, you remain out of alignment of the will of the Father. 2 Kings 17:22 - 24 

2.) Folly, you lose the ability to discern good and bad. There’s God, not God, and you.

It’s wasting time. Isaiah 44:18

3.) We are warned against this even in the new testament. I Corinthians 10:12 - 14 

Examples of Idols that might be over your heart? 

- the presidency and elected officials, are you expecting our political structure to do what only the Trinity can do? Do you believe the intent of original creation - to have dominion over this earth? (If you do the current political structure has no bearing on whether you walk in your purpose or not.)

- marriage. You guys, I idolized marriage. I didn’t think I would be complete without it and in order for me to be fulfilled I thought I had to be married. I set the altar and the dress on fire. Marriage isn’t bad it’s VERY GOOD but when it replaces the calling on your life and you make dumb decisions so you can be married it’s become an idol over your heart.

- food, babies, business, academic success, money, all of these things can become an idol.

Once you’ve identified an idol over your heart there are few steps you need to take.

1.) Repent. Repentance isn’t scary - it’s the process of us stepping back into alignment with the Trinity. 

2.) Remove the idols from your life. I’m not saying get divorced, quitting IVF, or stop working what I AM saying is you might need to remove any unhealthy mindsets around those things from you. Maybe you need to stop following political sources on your socials. Maybe you need to remove the pressure from your academic load and compartmentalize in a healthy way.

3.) Get to the why. Why was this idol allowed to take up space in your heart? Once you learn the root cause of these idols you can prevent future ones from taking root.

Most of the idols over our modern hearts aren’t other deities - they’re simply the desires of our heart receiving way to much attention.

To get the printable version of these notes AND the worksheet click here.

To listen to the audio message click here.