Identifying Our Idols

On a recent podcast, Pastor JD Greear asked this question, “What is it in your life that, if you did not have it, would rob you of contentment and happiness?”

Is it your relationship with your spouse or children, your good looks, your possessions, your sports, or your favorite celebrities? Could it be alcohol or painkillers, those scratch-off lottery tickets, or the desire for more clothes and accessories, a better car, home, or that nice school for your kids? If ANY of these (to name a few) are the must-haves, things, or people you want to possess to bring you happiness and contentment, then they are or have become your idols.

I know we don’t think about our marriages or our children as our idols, but you would be amazed at how common it is to idolize the idea of being married and motherhood. We can inadvertently place a child or our spouse in a position of worship. None of these things was ever meant to take the place of God in our lives, so now would be a good time to take an honest look and try to identify the things that have crept in quietly, altered our allegiances, and distorted our worship.

Even I, a mature Christian leader, have been guilty of displacing my love for God with love for my children or friends. It's a shock when I realize I've slipped into idolatry in the most unexpected places. Have you ever experienced this?

Let us Walk in His Way:

Dear Heavenly Father, Your Apostle John’s encouraging words at the end of his first epistle were these: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). He must have known the temptation of substituting ‘little g gods’ for You. Without knowing it, our affections and dependencies can easily stray from focusing on You, the author and finisher of our faith. Lord, reveal to us where we blindly idolize people or things at the expense of a closer walk with You. Help us to see that only You could satisfy every need, affection and desire that we may have. Help us to keep the things we love in proper perspective, so that our priorities remain within Your loving will for us. We need You, Lord. Help us to love You above all else.

In Jesus’ wonderful Name. Amen.

by Corinne “Kinney” deHamel

author of “Walk in His Way” for

Carry the Light Ministries