Do you feel discouraged, even defeated, in your battle against habitual sin? Are you dismayed or surprised by the situations that bring out your fear, anger, or distress? Elyse Fitzpatrick delves into the heart of the problem: deep down, we’re all idol-worshippers who put our loves, desires, and expectations in God’s place—and then suffer the consequences of our misplaced affections. Yet God loves his people and can use even our messy lives and struggles for his glory. Fitzpatrick shows us how to better search and know our hearts, long for our gracious Savior, and resist and crush our false gods. Includes questions for further thought. Revised edition.

Endorsements

“Elyse Fitzpatrick is one of the best authors you could read today if you want help to truly love Jesus and recognize the deception of your own sinful heart. . . . I’m thrilled that after fifteen years a second edition of this excellent work is now available.”

—Brad Bigney, Author, Gospel Treason

“Elyse Fitzpatrick has a very high view of God, and this book reflects that view. With great clarity and intriguing biblical illustrations, Elyse explains how the idols in our hearts compete with our affections for God. In a gentle way, she tells you how by God’s grace to turn from your idols to a wholehearted love for God.”

—Martha Peace, Author, The Excellent Wife

“The ﬁrst and greatest commandment says that our relationship with God is a ‘heart, soul, mind, and might’ matter. God-substitutes, both tangible and ﬁgurative, are similarly matters of heart, soul, mind, and might. Such ‘false gods’ generate the garden-variety sins of irritability, self-pity, escapism, and anxiety, as well as the more extreme sins of anger, despair, addictions, and panic.”

—David Powlison, Executive Director, The Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation

“If you are struggling with desires, addictions, and harmful behaviors that seem too strong to overcome, perhaps you are worship-ping an idol of the heart. Fitzpatrick explains what those idols might be and how to deal with them in a biblical way. Idols of the Heart is not just another self-help manual.”

—Ed Bulkley, President, The International Association of Biblical Counselors

The Author

Elyse Fitzpatrick

Elyse Fitzpatrick (Certificate in Biblical Counseling, CCEF; MA in Biblical Counseling, Trinity Theological Seminary) is a frequent conference speaker and the author of more than twenty books, as well as numerous journal articles and blogs. She and her husband, Philip, have three adult children and six grandchildren. Access her speaking schedule at www.elysefitzpatrick.com and hear her on her weekly podcast, Front Porch with the Fitzes.

More by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Idols of the Heart

Learning to Long for God Alone, Revised and Updated

About

Endorsements

The Author

Elyse Fitzpatrick

Idols of the Heart Reviews