The Object of My Affection

Is there anything in your heart that is a recurring thought? You are fixated with it. That particular thought or practice gives you a since of comfort and pleasure. You think about it almost to the point of obsession. You try to figure out how to cozy up to it. When you finally get a chance, you lose track of time. You fall asleep with it on your mind and wake up the same. You daydream about it. It is your go to when you need a distraction from a tense moment. The enemy will use whatever he can to steal affection and attention from God. Has the enemy helped you to erect a ‘high place’ in your life? This high place is an idol. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary categorizes any physical or mental image or form representing a reality or being that is considered divine and thus an object of worship as idolatry. Basically, anything that occupies that place in your heart and mind which belongs to our Jehovah God. God says, “I am that I am and the One who is.” Exodus 20:2-5a: ² “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ³ “You shall have no other gods before Me. ⁴ “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; ⁵ you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”³⁷ Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40

You must be thinking, “This doesn’t apply to me cause I have not carved or made any image to worship”. The carving is not the issue, it is what’s done with the image. Think about it… We must prioritize every area in our lives. God and only God should take first place, front seat, and be highly lifted. If not careful, instead of God, ambition, emotions (pain & past hurt/wounds), relationships, and/or self will become first place. Ezekiel 14:6: ⁶ “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations.

Practical ways to help rid yourself of your idol(s): Recognize-Ask God to show you your idol(s). Repent-Confess and turn away from the idol and in the direction of God. Rest– Take a rest from your idolatrous activity. Don’t try to wean yourself from the idol so you can feel better about having one and not having to admit it is as an idol. Call it what it is! 1 Corinthians 10:14 says, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” Rely-Rely on God to destroy your idols. I declare the more you spend time in prayer, studying the Bible, obedience, praise, & worship, and loving others, this will crush your idol(s). Meditate more on God and the things of God rather than the idol(s). Finally, Rejoice in who God is and what He has done through Jesus Christ’s birth, death, burial, resurrection and freedom from the penalty and power of sin. This will encourage your heart.

Flee from a sinful lifestyle and run to Jesus. If you already know that you are saved, then rejoice again. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of ourselves; it is a gift of God, Ephesians 2:8. If not, be sanctified by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This is the fundamental step to rid idolatry.

Heavenly Father, as I examine my life, I already know my idols, you have shown me. I know and I know that you know. To rid is not as easy as the written truth. Sometimes to say is easier than to do, oh Lord, have mercy on me. Help me in those times when I would rather believe that I can than actually doing that which I know that I can, if I surrender to you. By your divine power, you have given me everything that I need for life in you through the knowledge of you who has called me by your glory and goodness. Encourage me when I am ashamed to admit my idols not only to you but also to myself. Thank you for your grace , love and mercy. Thank you for the strength you have given me to crush prior idols, but I’m certain there are more. I rejoice in your faithfulness. This is my prayer; Amen!

The journey flows….