07/11/2010

Idols in the heart

Another reason that hinders the answer to our prayers:

Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests? Ezekiel 14.3 NLT

IDOLS IN THE HEART CAUSE GOD TO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO OUR PRAYERS.

What is an idol? An idol is anything that takes the place of God, anything that is the main focus of our affection, energy, and attention. God alone should occupy that place in our hearts. Everything and everyone else must be subordinate to Him.

A man’s wife can be his idol. Not that a man can love his wife too much, but he can put her in the wrong place; he can put her before God. When he gives her the first place and God the second place, his wife is an idol, and God cannot hear his prayers.

A woman’s children can be her idol. Not that we can love our children too much. The more we love God, the more we love our children. But we can put our children in the wrong place; we can put them before God, and their interests before God’s interests. When we do this our children are our idols.

A person’s reputation or business can be his or her idol. Reputation or business is put before God. God cannot hear the prayers of such person.

If we want to ask and receive something from God, one great question for us to decide is, Is God absolutely first? Is He before wife/husband, before children, before reputation, before business, before our own lives? If not, God will not be bothered by our requests. Why should He? Should God answer our requests even as we push Him to the side and give the best of ourselves to something or someone else? If He does, won’t He encourage us to continue serving our idols?

“They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin.”

That’s what idols do to their worshippers — they make them stumble and fall badly on their faces. Is money your idol? Money will make you fall. Is your boyfriend your idol? He will end up breaking your heart. Is your education your idol? It will be a snare to you.

Money, relationship, education, children, and other potential idols are not bad things in themselves. But it’s a bad thing when a good thing is put in the wrong place.

Let us give God the place He deserves in our hearts and kick all idols out. Then we shall know the power of answered prayer.

Read this message in portuguese