When I allow my preferences and personality to filter God’s commands, my preferences become an idol. When I allow my opinion to supersede God’s word, my opinion becomes an idol. When I allow my reputation to keep me from standing for my Lord, my reputation becomes an idol. When I allow the goodwill of friend to keep me from obeying God, my friends become my idol. When I allow my love for my family to hinder my love for God, my family becomes my idol. When I give my pet sins continued place in my heart, those sins become my idol. When I depend on my intellect and understanding more than I depend on God’s wisdom, my intellect becomes my idol. When I allow any endeavor, no matter how worthy, to interrupt my relationship with God, that endeavor becomes my idol.
I John 5: 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Photo – Weeping Willow, Beth Mims
GraceSpeak 
Wow! I read through this several times and realized I needed to read through it prayerfully allowing the Holy Spirit to point out those things I’ve unwittingly allowed to become idols. Thank you for sharing!
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These thoughts were a response to a sermon I heard recently. They hit me the same way.
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Great perspectives to keep in mind. I posted this on my facebook page
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Thanks, Anita! I cannot find your Facebook page. Feel free to link it here.
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Anita Tillman Neal
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I tend to think of idols as just material ones, but you pointed out others.
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So often my attitudes have taken on the position of idols in my life.
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I think that describes me, too. That is scary, because I can’t “see” my attitudes the way I can see material things. No wonder I am drawn to Scriptures which point out idols (for instance, Isaiah, and Ps. 115!) God is trying to tell me something!
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That is why I love David’s prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
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