1. Remove from power.
2. Remove from a position of authority or dominance.

 

Definition of idol

1. An object of extreme devotion

1. a representation or symbol of an object of worship

 

I think the keyword we might ponder is “dominance” and “extreme.”

 

What is that thing, person, place, habit, etc. that has dominance in your life? In other words, it smothers the call of God and Kingdom assignments that have been entrusted to you. He is less important. Less heard. Less loved. Hard to hear, I know. But no less true.

 

It can be all manner of things, from careers to church to family. Money, prestige, titles, or fame. When the Word says, “Wherever your heart is, there is also your treasure.” He is making a specific point.

 

In the life of a Christ-follower is a mandate to follow Jesus. Does He really have your whole heart? Yet, we might be found following more often people, places, and things.

 

Where is your focus? Does it take all your attention? Then you have an idol.

 

Have you committed your ways to the LORD and allowed Him the reins, or does everyone else pull at them and win?

 

This can obviously uncover personal traits that need God’s attention. They can be matters of inner healing. We might overcompensate to please people or even be what we vowed to never be. We may also see that our hearts are set on things that are not eternal but temporal. We might not understand fully our identity in Christ, so we bow to who others say we are. We might, perhaps, find in some seasons that, frankly, our oil has been snuffed out and Jesus is no longer on the throne of our own hearts. We lack passion for Him and His heart desires. Sometimes, it’s a sign of purpose. In other words, He is no longer calling you to a thing if your passion is no longer in it. Release it and move on.

 

Remember, “If you love me, you will obey me.” The study is good. Prayer is good. Yet, obedience seems to be His measuring stick. At some point, we become “Doers of the Word.”

 

What do you and I have in place to protect our hearts and lives from idols? It will take intentionality. If passion in you has waned for the things of God and the pursuit of what He desires in your life then there is an idol that needs to be dethroned.

 

We will always see God come for our idols. He is absolutely jealous for every ounce of us. Throughout the scriptures, GOD warned of the consequence of having other gods before Him. He has not changed His view today. It is quite a serious matter to Him.

 

We often preach King and Kingdom first, but when He comes for an account, we might be shocked that we are found sorely lacking.

 

Take all things to the LORD and ask Him if you have erected knowingly or unknowingly any idols that have taken His place as Head in your heart. Then repent and ask Him to help you put His priorities in place.

 

Whether you choose to honestly do this or not, I can promise you at some point God will intimately deal with each of our own personal idols. I’ve found my willingness to remove idols has been way less painful than Him having to come to remove them for me.

 

We are in a season where God is separating those willing to dethrone any and all idols from those who decide to keep them. While some will have ears to hear, some will not.

 

Which will we be?