Idols in the Hearts

This is a difficult time to walk uprightly with the LORD because of the plethora of temptations in our culture everywhere you turn. The world offers so many empty trinkets and allures many into snares for them to fall into sin. The saints need God's grace on a daily basis. 

This verse is a warning to us not to stop striving in our battle against sin:

“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity.  Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?" - Ez. 14:3

What kinds of idols can we set up in our hearts today that can weaken our resistance causing us to stumble into iniquity? 

• Love scenes from movies replaying in the mind's eye that send the message that adultery and fornication are normal;

• Pondering memories of old lovers from BC days causing desire to resurface for them --many have fallen for this idol in their hearts when they attend their high school reunion;

• The allure of material things -- like expensive cars, motorcycles, pure-bred pets -- that are purchased with money the family needs;

• The idol of fame and fortune and success that prosperity seekers set up in their minds and passionately pursue to their own detriment.

I could go on and on. I think some of us baby-boomers struggle the most with living in the past since our youth is fading. We have a way of glamorizing the good old days -- and though there's nothing wrong with that -- for some it can become obsessive and unhealthy. 

So let's press on and just be conscious of what idols might cause us to stumble as we strive to be pleasing to the LORD in these perilous times.

Keep your eyes on the Prize.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" - 2 Cor 10:3-5

"Then He said to another, 'Follow Me.' But he said, 'Lord, let me first go and bury my father.' Jesus said to him, 'Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.' And another also said, 'Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.' But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'" Luke 9:59-62