Too often we can think of idols as ancient things that belong in other cultures either far away or long ago. We might picture wooden carvings or statues cast in fine metals but what makes anything an idol is the attention or praise one gives it. So whether something is an idol has less to do with what it looks like than what value a person puts upon it. Anything that holds a place in your heart that God alone should hold is an idol.

“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” (1 John 5:21)

John makes it very clear that we are to keep away from these things, things that might hold a place in our hearts that only God should hold. While we may not make graven images or statues anymore, we certainly can allow things to sit on the throne of our hearts. It’s a healthy thing to frequently check for any idols in our lives, anything that is fighting for a place in our hearts that only God should hold. Can you identify anything like that in your life? Maybe it’s social media, an addiction to constantly posting or getting likes. Maybe you’ve elevated your appearance and how you look to take a place on the throne of your heart—consider how many selfies you take a day. Perhaps money is crowding for room in your heart; are you motivated in everything you do to earn more and more? How often do you worship at the throne of entertainment or lust? Does satisfying your own desires and pleasure sit on the throne of your heart?  

“‘So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.’” (Joshua 24:14-15)

God’s people had a choice to make and Joshua drew a line in the sand. Their ancestors worshipped idols and because of their disobedience and refusal of God, none of them were allowed to enter the Promised Land. Joshua was addressing the descendents of these people and he asked them to make a choice: idols or God? We too have to make that same choice because we can’t have it both ways. We can’t worship at the throne of an idol in our lives and expect there to be room in our hearts for God as well.

“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.” (Jonah 2:8 NIV)

When we elevate something to a place God should hold, we turn from His love for us. It is so very important to constantly check for idols in your life. Do not take this lightly. If you need help identifying possible idols in your life, ask a close confidant, your husband or wife or someone from your accountability group. Those who know our sin struggles may be able to more accurately identify what idols we may have in our lives. Once you recognize what idols may be in your life, then it’s time to take action, and Moses and Paul both give us good examples/advice to follow.  

“When they came near the camp, Moses saw the calf and the dancing, and he burned with anger. He threw the stone tablets to the ground, smashing them at the foot of the mountain. He took the calf they had made and burned it. Then he ground it into powder, threw it into the water, and forced the people to drink it.” (Exodus 32:19-20)

Once you identify those idols, destroy them completely. Burn them to the ground and grind them to powder. If you have struggled with a secret sin and it has taken residence in your heart, you must confess this sin and repent of it. Keeping it secret and hiding it in the dark will only allow it to grow. Bring it into the light of a burning fire and destroy it once and for all.

Paul’s advice toward idols is the same advice he gave about sexual sin.

“Flee from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)

“So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols.” (1 Corinthians 10:14) 

Flee from it! Run! When you find these idols in your life, bring them into the light of a burning fire by confessing and then turn the other way and run from it by repenting. Do not cling to worthless idols and thus turn away from God’s love. Constantly check your heart for anything that is fighting for its throne. Make sure nothing takes the place God should hold in your life.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

—Redeemed