By Elyse Fitzpatrick
The struggle with idolatry and deception began with Eve and continues to this day. Eve was deceived into thinking that happiness could be found in disobedience to God. Every time we sin, it’s because we’re deceived too. We foolishly think that happiness is to be found in pursuing the lies that whisper seductively in our heart. We sin because we believe that there’s some happiness to be gained by it. It’s then that our thoughts about happiness become our god.
I’m not saying that we’re not fully responsible for our sin because we’re deceived. We are completely culpable for all our sin, because we don’t believe God’s Word and we trust in gods of our own imagination. It’s idolatrous to make our imaginations more important than joyful obedience to the Lord. Remember, our idols always come to us dressed as goodness. Our idolatrous beliefs become evident as we find ourselves habitually sinning in some particular way.
Case Study
If I discover, for instance, that I frequently respond in anger when criticized, then I need to consider what idolatrous thought or imagination is at the root of my anger. To do this, I should ask myself the following questions:
• What do I believe about the source of true happiness in this circumstance?
• What do I believe about God in this circumstance?
• What do I believe about myself—my rights, my goals, my desires?
• What am I trusting in?
• Why is this person’s opinion so important to me? Do I believe in justification by man’s approval?
For instance, in this case, I might answer:
• What do I believe about the source of true happiness in this circumstance?
I’m believing that happiness can be found only when others respect me. My belief, “I Must Be Respected,” has become my god, and it produces bitter fruit for anyone who dares challenge me.
• What do I believe about God in this circumstance?
I’m doubting His character. I believe that He’s not good. I believe that if He were good He would protect me from attack. My desires (I shouldn’t be criticized) color my appraisal of Him and cause me to seek to remake Him into my image. “Why, if He were really good,” I think, “He would make others treat me the way I want to be treated!” Instead of thinking that God isn’t good, perhaps the truth is that He isn’t powerful. If God were powerful, He could control how others treat me. (Do you see how important it is to have a biblical understanding of God’s character?)
• What do I believe about myself—my rights, my goals, my desires?
I believe I have a right to be respected on the job. I think I should never be criticized. Whenever I am criticized, I view myself as a victim of others’ wrongdoing. I believe happiness will continue to elude me if people disapprove of me. I ignore the truth that it doesn’t matter who approves of me or even if I approve of myself (2 Cor. 10:18). I believe that it is more important to have others’ approval than God’s. Could this be because others are my god?
• What am I trusting in?
Instead of trusting in God—that He has allowed this difficulty into my life for my good (and ultimate happiness)—I’m trusting that people have the power to make me happy. I have tied their approval of me to my worth. I need to see my circumstance as God’s gift to open my eyes to my idolatry and free me from it. Instead of getting sinfully angry when I’m criticized, I need to rejoice in God’s faithful discipline (Prov. 25:12).
• What justifies me?
In this case I’m thinking that the opinion of others justifies or makes me okay; I’m believing that I need the welcome and approval of others and forgetting that I already have the complete welcome and approval of my Heavenly Father because of my faith in Christ’s perfect obedience and substitutionary death.
• Who saves me?
In this case I’m thinking I have to save myself. I’m assuming that the approval of other people means something ultimate about my worth, my “save-ability,” my “love-ability.” Of course, the truth is that I don’t deserve nor can I earn God’s salvation. It is given to me by grace through faith in Jesus alone. I don’t deserve it. I can’t earn it. My record has nothing to do with it.
The story of habitual sin
Are there circumstances in which you find yourself sinning habitually? If so, ask yourself these questions and you’re liable to find sinful thoughts and imaginations at the heart of the problem. This will help you to see the reasons behind it so you can begin to address the source. Instead of just trying to control my temper when I’m criticized, for instance, I need to understand that the reason I’m angry is because I crave and worship other people’s opinions of me and I’m seeking to justify myself. I need to repent of my thoughts about myself and agree with God that only He is worthy of praise (at the same time that I repent of my sinful anger).
Don’t believe the lies
If I believe the lies of the world, the flesh, and the Devil, then they become the biggest concerns in my life. My mind entertains thoughts of how happy I would be if everyone approved of me, if I knew I really were worthy of love. When these thoughts captivate me, the worship of God becomes subsidiary. My imaginations take center stage, and God becomes a mere stagehand whose purpose is to make me look good. My thoughts have become my god, and I’m willing to do anything—even sin—to get what I believe will make me happy.
Ready for more?
If you’re ready to dive deeper in studying your heart, P&R has put together a Free devotional by Elyse, based on her bestselling book, Idols of the Heart. Through this devotional you’ll learn:
- The 3 facets of your heart – from Scripture
- How your “heart disease” keeps you from obeying God.
- Your best medicine to fight against sin in your heart.
- Where is God’s grace when he feels so far away?
- How God can still use sinners like us!
About Elyse
A household name within the Christian community, Elyse holds a certificate in biblical counseling from CCEF (San Diego) and an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary. She has authored 21 books on daily living and the Christian life.
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