Idols of the Heart – Eze 14
Many of Ezekiel’s prophecies pertain to the idolatry back in Jerusalem, but there was another idolatry, not so obvious, right there in Babylon. When some of the leaders of the people came to Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord, the Lord revealed this sin.
He said to Ezekiel, “These men have set up their idols in their hearts” (v.3). They may not have had outward idols, but inwardly they were worshipping things other than God. These idols were called “the stumblingblock of their iniquity” (v.3). These idols harbored in their hearts would be the cause of their downfall.
What a challenge this is for us as well! What idols of the heart do we have? We may not outwardly be bowing before idols. We may even be going to hear from God like these elders. We may be going to church and looking the part, but we may have secret idols that will cause us to stumble.
1 John 5:21 warns us about this as well, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” So let us consider carefully…
- What is most important to us? If there is anything more important God and His glory, it could be classed as an idol.
- Consider your deepest desires and longing.
- What about the approval of others, the respect of people?
May God show us where we have idols of the heart. And may we repent and turn away from them and to the Lord (v.6-8).