Most likely, you don’t have a pagan shrine set up in your living room. No golden calf. No gods cast from silver. Nothing resembling what we’d normally think of as an idol.

We’re too “modern” for that, aren’t we? We’re intelligent enough to know that a gold image or idol carved from a block of wood isn’t going to bless us, save us or enlighten us.

More likely, we read about Israel’s idol worship and scratch our heads. What were these people thinking? God provided for them in the dessert. He gave them victory over their enemies. He brought them into a good land. He blessed them in every way. And yet, they turned to worshiping idols. Some were cast from gold. Others were carved from blocks of wood. None of them had any power though.

Rightly so, this made God angry. Of course, God’s reaction to idol worship seems out of proportion to the offense unless we understand a critical point. You and I were not placed on planet earth to be good citizens or grab all the fun and pleasure we can or generally do as we please with little regard for the One who created us.

No, we were created by and for God. We are His. We’re not our own. We belong to Him and exist to live in friendship with Him, worship Him and bring Him glory. He IS life.

So when we live independently of Him and instead give our attention and devotion to other things, it’s a serious offense. In fact, it’s the most serious offense. If we don’t realize this, then we’ll fail to understand why God was so upset at idol worship.

Okay, we don’t have idols of gold or silver or wood lying around, but I suspect we have some others. In Ezekiel 14, some elders of Israel came to the prophet and God said to him, “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?” You can read the entire chapter here.

Idols set up in their hearts. Wicked stumbling blocks before their faces.

Now that’s starting to hit a little closer to home.

Been setting up any idols in your heart lately? I think I’ve got a few.

What do you tend to think most about? A person? Something you wish you could buy? A bigger 401k? Something you want, but don’t or can’t have? Could be an idol.

What could you not live without? Someone’s approval? Your house? Your iPhone? Chocolate? A drink…or two? Maybe it’s an idol for you.

If you could just have __________________, then you’d be happy. Whatever you put in the blank could be an idol.

Where do you spend most of your discretionary time? In front of the television? Putting in more time at work? In the gym? At the tanning salon? Anything can be an idol.

Recently, a friend shared with me that he was selling his motorcycle because it had become an idol.

My heart is capable of setting up anything as an idol. How about you?

Back in Ezekiel 14, God says that when those who are worshiping idols come to consult a prophet, He will answer them Himself rather than speaking through the prophet. He said, “I will do this to recapture the hearts for the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.”

God wants your heart free of idols, so you’re free to worship Him. He went on to say, “Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!”

If you identified one or more idols, then it’s time to get rid of them. It won’t be easy though. Some of the kings of Judah and Israel would try to eliminate idol worship only to see it creep back into the culture. Idols are stubborn things. Once they have our attention, they don’t like to let us go.

Ask God for help. He can supply the power to repent, to turn away from whatever idol you’ve set up in your heart.

If it’s a particularly tough one to deal with, then also ask a friend to pray for you. By the way, maybe another way of thinking about an idol is to call it an addiction. Having someone else to encourage you and help hold you accountable may be necessary.

You may also want to fast if it really has its grasp on you. If you need information on how to fast, you can find it here.

God wants you to be free. He wants your heart to be devoted to Him. He knows that’s how you’ll experience life to the fullest.

It’s time to turn from our idols.