As I was finishing Ellen Vaughn’s new book What Jesus Started (which I very highly recommend) last night, I read 2 quotes. I liked them both and can’t decide which I liked best, so I’m going to include them both-today and tomorrow.
Here is the first:
An ‘idol’ is anything which displaces God in my heart. It may be something quite harmless in itself, yet if it absorbs me, if it be given the first place in my affections and thoughts, it becomes an ‘idol.’ It may be my business, a loved one, or my service for Christ. Anyone or anything which comes into competition with the Lord’s ruling me in a practical way is an ‘idol.’ (Quote by A.W. Pink-p.167)
Consider the implications of what Pink said. Mrs. Vaughn put it far clearer than I can: “When being comfortable becomes an idol; it’s all about my safety, my pleasure, my security. When control is an idol it’s all about my will. When convenience is an idol, it’s all about my time.” (Vaughn-p.172)
One of the greatest tools Satan has to blunt or even nullify our influence or testimony is by getting us so focused on other things, other people, daily life- what is important- that we take our eyes of Jesus. We find ourselves running after that which is temporary or will burn up in the end. Satan would love to render us ineffective by too much attention to the temporary and the minor things in life, and not enough attention to the permanent and that which is truly important.
I know this is a constant struggle for me. What about you?
If we are honest with ourselves, this is a struggle we all have, Bill. Lord, let us stay focused on You and You alone!
Blessings!
I believe you are 100% correct Martha and the prayers is spot on.
Deep thoughts on this, idols can be so deceiving, some idols are so well disguised that we do not realize the amount of time and placement they have in our lives. Keeping all thoughts captive and my eyes on Jesus is definitely my highest goal, however, my life does not always reflect that. It is a constant struggle. I agree with Paul in Romans 7:14-25, the flesh is weak and we often do what we know we should not do, we have no reason why. Ouch
And that, my friend, is why idols are so dangerous-they are so well disguised. We often are their slave before we realize it.