1 John 5:21 We know that whoever Jesus is, as God’s son, we are. This knowledge defeats every image of our imagination that could possibly compete with the authentic likeness of our design! Darling children, distance yourselves from every substitute image, which is what idolatry is all about! (TMB, edited)

Do you have idols in your life? 

Keeping yourself from idols would seem to be a simple thing to do. There are probably no statues, dolls, animal images etc. in your home. However, it is important to explore the idea of what an idol is, outside of aboriginal and witchcraft related images.

An idol is any person or thing that you give excessive devotion and/or reverence to. It is anything that replaces the one, true God. 

Exodus 20:3 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (KJV)

In addition to worshiping people and things, you can also worship the activities you take part in. Just to be clear, any person (dead or alive), object (car, home, clothing, alcohol, drugs) or activity (job, ministry, hobby, computer, video games, pornography, sex) that you give a higher priority in your life to than your relationship with God is an idol. 

Ephesians 5:15-17 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), 16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. (AMPC)

The devil’s ability to hide idols in your everyday life activities is a very subtle and extremely effective form of warfare. For Christians, those activities you do “for the Lord” can also take up such an extensive amount of your time. The time you spend on activities won’t leave you any to develop your relationship with the Lord. Your desire must be to spend time in worship and in prayer. 

Psalm 27:4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. (NKJV)

The Lord Almighty will grant your desire. Also, in your time of enquiry, He will identify what your idols are, where your idols are, and deliver you from them. 

 Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:

Father, I thank You for making me aware of my idols. There were things and people in my life I had placed before You without realizing it, and I repent. Thank You for pointing out activities I refused to break away from because I thought I needed them or I thought they were more important. I am sorry I held on to them as long as I did. Some of them were addictions in disguise that devoured me. Others were self-serving activities that were not as important as I thought, that consumed my time. Not only did You love me enough to identify what or who could keep me from worship, prayer, and study; You delivered me and I thank You. I know as I grow closer to You, You will continue to reveal things as You transform me into Your image. Father, I lay at Your altar and I submit to Your delivering power when You show me the hidden idols in my life. I honor You and I give You all reverence and authority. I know You have to destroy anything in my life that does not look like You and does not bring You glory. I also know I have to want to be delivered. I can’t hold on to idols in my heart, while my lips are saying take them away. Father, tie me to the altar just in case I start to move. Keep me close and help me live a fasted life, as I line up my mind, my heart, and my will with Yours. Please have Your way in my life and continue to show me those things in my life I would allow to take precedence over You…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here: