Idols of the Heart

Some follow up from this Sunday's sermon:

An idol is when someone or something that occupies the place of God in your life. An idol is when anyone or anything is more important to you than God. An idol is a functional Savior that saves you from temporary, felt needs, not real, eternal needs.

Here are some self-examining questions to help you discover the idols of your heart (Ezekiel 14):

• What makes you say that a day is a "good day?"
• What makes you say that a day is a "bad day?"
• What keeps you going?
• What makes your life worthwhile?
• What dreams tend to capture your heart?
• What do you have a hard time believing that you can't live without?
• Where do you seek to find your identity?
• What, in life, do you crave most?
• What makes you really happy?
• Where do you turn for comfort?
• Where do you turn for peace?
• If you have some real "free" time - how do you tend to spend it?
• When you don't have to think about something - where does your mind love to rest?
• Where do you spend your money most effortlessly?
• When are your emotions most out of control? 

Answering these questions honestly may help you best discover your functional savior.

Remember - a good thing that becomes a god thing is a bad thing.

Comments

[Christina Smart]

I never said how much I appreciated this sermon, but I really did. Not a new concept for me, but such a good reminder to be confronting idols in my life. It's been a while since I've heard anyone talk on this topic, and one that I don't think people hear enough. I realized it's been easy for me to drift from recognizing idols as things I am actively choosing to worship instead of God to more passive "problem areas." Subtle difference, but I think it affects the way I process and fight sin in my life. So thanks!

[David Whiting]

Thanks SO much. I appreciate the encouragement. The sermon was good for me too!