What is Heart Idolatry?
This past Sunday, we returned to our study of Judges. Several people have since asked about heart idolatry – how to identify idols, could I share the questions I asked, and how do we tear down our idols? I praise the Lord that the ministry of the Word and the Spirit impacted us on Sunday. To answer some of the questions I’ve received, I want to respond by sharing something I’ve shared in the past. Hopefully, these questions and answers will move us along in helping one another identify our idols and tear them down.
What is idolatry of the heart?
The Puritan David Clarkson calls it secret or soul idolatry. Since the Bible reminds us that our problem is a problem of the heart, then let us call it heart idolatry. In contradiction to open idolatry, Clarkson proposes that “when the mind and heart is set upon anything more than God; when anything is more valued, more intended; anything more trusted, more loved, or our endeavors more for any other thing than God, that is soul worship, which is due only to God (and that which he most respects and calls for) given to other things besides him. And this is as true, as heinous idolatry, as the former, though not so open, discernible, nor so much observed.”
What is an idol of the heart?
As you can see, anything can become an idol. As Brian Rosner suggests, “a god is that which one loves, trusts, and serves above all else” (New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, “Idolatry”). Those who follow the cravings of the flesh and replace God with substitutes and do not repent will not inherit the kingdom of God (Ephesians 5:3-6). Therefore, we must identify and expose our idols in order to return to the one, true, living God.
How can you identify and expose your idols?
If we are to tear down our idols, we must first identify them. We should ask ourselves these questions soberly and honestly. Also, we should invite others to ask these questions with us and for us. To tear down our idols, we need each other’s help. Based on Clarkson's definition above, here are some questions that may begin to expose some of the idols of our hearts:
1. What occupies your mind and heart more than God does? What do you most think about? What do you daydream about?
2. What do you value more than God? You know you have an idol that you value more than God when you are enraged if you were to lose it.
3. What is your aim, purpose in life? What do you live for, work for? Why do you wake up in the morning?
4. What do you trust/hope in more than God? Who is your savior? Doctors, government, wealth, fame, friends, family?
5. What do you love, desire, delight in more than God? What consumes your time, money? What brings you most joy?
Good News
The good news is that God is faithful to provide a way out or through temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). In other words, the Lord will not allow His children to be tested to the point that their faith will be obliterated. He is faithful. That is, he will not abandon his children to their idols.
So, grieve over your sin (James 4:4-10). Receive the Lord’s discipline (Hebrews 12:3-11). Uncover your sin (Psalm 32). And receive the forgiveness that comes through the sacrifice of Christ (1 John 1:9).
What is idolatry of the heart?
The Puritan David Clarkson calls it secret or soul idolatry. Since the Bible reminds us that our problem is a problem of the heart, then let us call it heart idolatry. In contradiction to open idolatry, Clarkson proposes that “when the mind and heart is set upon anything more than God; when anything is more valued, more intended; anything more trusted, more loved, or our endeavors more for any other thing than God, that is soul worship, which is due only to God (and that which he most respects and calls for) given to other things besides him. And this is as true, as heinous idolatry, as the former, though not so open, discernible, nor so much observed.”
What is an idol of the heart?
As you can see, anything can become an idol. As Brian Rosner suggests, “a god is that which one loves, trusts, and serves above all else” (New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, “Idolatry”). Those who follow the cravings of the flesh and replace God with substitutes and do not repent will not inherit the kingdom of God (Ephesians 5:3-6). Therefore, we must identify and expose our idols in order to return to the one, true, living God.
How can you identify and expose your idols?
If we are to tear down our idols, we must first identify them. We should ask ourselves these questions soberly and honestly. Also, we should invite others to ask these questions with us and for us. To tear down our idols, we need each other’s help. Based on Clarkson's definition above, here are some questions that may begin to expose some of the idols of our hearts:
1. What occupies your mind and heart more than God does? What do you most think about? What do you daydream about?
2. What do you value more than God? You know you have an idol that you value more than God when you are enraged if you were to lose it.
3. What is your aim, purpose in life? What do you live for, work for? Why do you wake up in the morning?
4. What do you trust/hope in more than God? Who is your savior? Doctors, government, wealth, fame, friends, family?
5. What do you love, desire, delight in more than God? What consumes your time, money? What brings you most joy?
Good News
The good news is that God is faithful to provide a way out or through temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). In other words, the Lord will not allow His children to be tested to the point that their faith will be obliterated. He is faithful. That is, he will not abandon his children to their idols.
So, grieve over your sin (James 4:4-10). Receive the Lord’s discipline (Hebrews 12:3-11). Uncover your sin (Psalm 32). And receive the forgiveness that comes through the sacrifice of Christ (1 John 1:9).
Resources of the Week
Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe
Women's Morning Bible Study | Starts TODAY | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Join us Wednesday mornings for an inductive study of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. For registration and questions contact Mary Delk or Jeanette Heflin.
One-Day Membership Class | Sunday, September 22 | 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM in the Old Choir Room
*Please note the time change for the membership class
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars for our One-Day Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. You can register for the class here.
Senior Adult (55+) Luncheon | September 22
The 55+ Seniors are having an all you can eat buffet luncheon this Sunday, September 22, after the morning service. The luncheon will be at Springhill Restaurant located at 2505 W Pecan St, Pflugerville, TX 78660.
Life Classes
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from August 25 to December 5:
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:
Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
Gospel Partner of the Month: The International Mission Board of the SBC
The International Mission Board (IMB) exists to serve Southern Baptists in carrying out the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
With almost 47,000 churches cooperating to send missionaries through the IMB, we can support over 3,500 missionaries full-time in the international mission field. Take some time to work through the IMB website to learn more about how your regular giving through High Pointe is supporting Great Commission work worldwide.
On-Call Pastor To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.
Join us Wednesday mornings for an inductive study of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. For registration and questions contact Mary Delk or Jeanette Heflin.
One-Day Membership Class | Sunday, September 22 | 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM in the Old Choir Room
*Please note the time change for the membership class
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars for our One-Day Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. You can register for the class here.
Senior Adult (55+) Luncheon | September 22
The 55+ Seniors are having an all you can eat buffet luncheon this Sunday, September 22, after the morning service. The luncheon will be at Springhill Restaurant located at 2505 W Pecan St, Pflugerville, TX 78660.
Life Classes
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from August 25 to December 5:
- Growing in Prayer
- Discipling: Principles and Practice
- Student Ministry Life Class | Spiritual Disciplines: For children 6th–12th grades
- Kids Life Class: For children K–5th grade
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:
- September 22 | Judges 10:17-11:40, Pastor Juan
- September 29 | Judges 12, Pastor Juan
- October 6 | Judges 13, Pastor Juan
- October 13 | Pastor Robert Cline
- October 20 | Judges 14-15, Pastor Juan
- October 27 | Judges 16, Pastor Juan
- November 03 | Judges 17:1-18:31, Pastor Juan
- November 10 | Judges 19:1-21:25, Pastor Juan
- November 17 | Pastor Robert Cline
Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
Gospel Partner of the Month: The International Mission Board of the SBC
The International Mission Board (IMB) exists to serve Southern Baptists in carrying out the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
With almost 47,000 churches cooperating to send missionaries through the IMB, we can support over 3,500 missionaries full-time in the international mission field. Take some time to work through the IMB website to learn more about how your regular giving through High Pointe is supporting Great Commission work worldwide.
On-Call Pastor To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.
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