I Want to Know – Do I Have An Idol?
What do you value most?
Is the question we’ve discussed all week.
Today, I have one more question. Not because I have any answers, but because I’m asking myself.
I want to know. Do I have an Idol?
The word idol means:
1. An image or representation of a god used as an object of worship.
2. A person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered.
3. Biblical meaning – An image of a deity other than God.
This all began because I noticed a common theme as I read through my daily Bible reading in 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles:
- the idols his ancestors had made.
- followed the example of…
- they worshiped idols, despite the Lord’s specific and repeated warnings.
- they followed the example of the nations around them.
- while these new residents worshiped the Lord, they also worshiped their idols. And to this day their descendants do the same.
- He followed the example of his father, worshiping the same idols his father had worshiped.
I wonder if I have things in my life I don’t even realize are idols. Patterns established by those who’ve gone before me. Habits and desires that are simply part of my life. Things I’ve given idol status without knowing it. And is selfishness the greatest idol of all?
So, I’ve done what I always do . . . I’ve researched the web and found variations of the following questions:
Questions to Identify Idols in My Life
1. What is essential for my peace, joy, and happiness?
2. What do you think about most often?
3. Where do you turn for comfort? When you’re worried? When you’re stressed or angry?
4. What is my greatest fear?
5. Who or what controls my moods?
6. Who or what do I trust or rely on most?
7. Where do I invest most of my time and money?
8. Could I go on if I had to live without ___________?
9. How much do I think about me?
[Tweet “Tough questions that get to the heart of my heart.”]
Quotes and Verses on Idolatry
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. 1 John 5:21
“Idolatry isn’t just one of many sins; rather it’s the one great sin that all others come from. Idolatry isn’t an issue, it is the issue. Anything that becomes the purpose or driving force of your life probably points back to idolatry of some kind.” ~Kyle Idleman
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 1:21–23
“Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God, your functional savior. ” ~Martin Luther
Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Colossians 3:5
“Until you are convinced of God’s incredible love for you, you will continue looking for replacement love everywhere but in the heart of Christ.” ~Jennifer Dukes Lee
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1
“You don’t have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. America is full of them. Whatever you love more than God is your idol.” ~D.L. Moody
The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. Mark 12:29–30
Final Thoughts
I need God’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy. His grace is sufficient to cover my foolish attitudes and idols. Yet because of God’s love, because of Jesus . . . I want to know and deal with anything I’ve allowed to become an idol in my life.
May He bless you as you think about these questions, quotes and verses today.
What do you think some of the common idols are? Do you think we might, like people of the Old Testament, have things we’ve always had or done that might be idols?
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Great questions and words…. it is so easy to harbor idols in our hearts and so good to search and remove.
Amen Joy! I felt the need to do some soul searching and see if I need to make some changes. Thanks for stopping by to say hello!
great reminder Deb. Really love the list of questions to use as a checklist. Neighbors at #EverydayJesus
Thank you so much Bonnie!
This is awesome Deb. Really hit home, and giving me a lot to think about. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Renee! I needed this myself. I’m thinking I need to make some changes.
Great points here, Deb. I love the list of questions. Very helpful. Over the years, I have wrestled with this and God usually reveals to me quick, fast and in a hurry if I have lost sight of Him. Thank for this heart check reminder!
This is such a great post. I love your list of questions-these are good to go through every once in a while as a bit of a “check up.” I really believe idolatry is the root of all our sin, Often, we confess the surface sin, but do not get to the root of why we chose to sin. Tim Keller has a great study about idolatry-it was real eye opening for me and helped me identify the idols in my life.