IDOLS AND FORGIVENESS
Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity. Should I be consulted by them at all?…. Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Repent and turn away from your idols and turn your faces away from all your abominations.”
Ezekiel 14:3; 6 (NASB: 1995 update)
I wish that I could read those two verses and proclaim, “I have no idols!” But if I am being honest, that proclamation would be a lie. I have idols that pull me away from focusing on my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I love golf, and last summer I found that I had to step away from it because it began to steal my time and thoughts. I was not focused on Jesus, spiritual growth, prayer, or reading my Bible. I was focused on my swing, putting, and cutting one or two strokes off my score. Sadly, that is not the only idol I have allowed in my life. However, I know that I am not alone. I have a cousin who graduated from the seminary I did. He loves to fish and be out on one of the lakes near his home. Instead of committing his time to Christ, he committed his time to his boat, fishing gear, and the lake. Fishing became his idol.
I don’t think the two of us are by ourselves. All of us have idols. We allow events or things to come between Christ and ourselves. But what do we do when we are shown our idol(s)? We find the answer in Ezekiel 14:6, “…Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Repent and turn away from your idols and turn your faces away from all your abominations.’ ” We need to recognize that we have sinned (1 John 1:8), and then we need to ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9). That restores our relationship with Christ. But how do we continue to keep away from all those idols that the World offers to us? King David provides us the answer in Psalm 51:10-12. In this passage, David asks God for three things; a clean heart, a steadfast spirit, and a willing spirit. When we ask for forgiveness, we are cleansed from all unrighteous (this is the clean heart). But to continue to live without allowing idols into our hearts we need a steadfast spirit and the willingness to turn away from potential idols.
If there are idols in your life, repent and your heart will be clean. Next, ask for the two things David asked for, a steadfast spirit, and a willing spirit. Then walk in the newness that Christ gives each of us.