Idols
"Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that lead them into sin. Why should I let them ask me anything? ... Therefore, give the people this message from the Sovereign Lord: Repent and turn from your idols, and stop all your loathsome practices." Ezekiel 14:3-6
While doing some serious yard work, my wife and I came across an extensive patch of poison ivy. We had gloves, but were not properly covered to protect from the oil that causes all the itching and burning. Unfortunately, my wife is extremely sensitive to it. In short order, her skin was red, blistered and itchy leaving her absolutely miserable. Some things simply need to be militantly avoided.
God, through the prophet Ezekiel, laid out some of those, "Danger! Stay away!" items. Idols. The context here was not little statues. Specifically, he was speaking to the unseen idols they had set up in their hearts. God will not be one of many gods we worship. He made that clear in his top 10. It's time, God told them to dump the idols and never return to pick them up again.
What are the idols in your life? Let me ask it another way. What are those things, experiences, positions, ways of being treated by others, and/or people that you, at times, want more than you want Jesus? It can be subtle, but make no mistake, making idols even out of good things poses an inherit danger that will put us in a place of misery. We were made by God and for God and when we embrace that with our whole heart, we experience life with true purpose and a clear destiny.
While doing some serious yard work, my wife and I came across an extensive patch of poison ivy. We had gloves, but were not properly covered to protect from the oil that causes all the itching and burning. Unfortunately, my wife is extremely sensitive to it. In short order, her skin was red, blistered and itchy leaving her absolutely miserable. Some things simply need to be militantly avoided.
God, through the prophet Ezekiel, laid out some of those, "Danger! Stay away!" items. Idols. The context here was not little statues. Specifically, he was speaking to the unseen idols they had set up in their hearts. God will not be one of many gods we worship. He made that clear in his top 10. It's time, God told them to dump the idols and never return to pick them up again.
What are the idols in your life? Let me ask it another way. What are those things, experiences, positions, ways of being treated by others, and/or people that you, at times, want more than you want Jesus? It can be subtle, but make no mistake, making idols even out of good things poses an inherit danger that will put us in a place of misery. We were made by God and for God and when we embrace that with our whole heart, we experience life with true purpose and a clear destiny.
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