When John wrapped up his first letter cautioning believers everywhere to ‘keep themselves from idols’ (1 John 5:21), he did so for a good reason; he knew how easy it is for our hearts to chase after other things. That seems to have always been a problem for God’s people, our ‘hearts always going astray’ (Heb. 3:10). Jesus Himself pointed out how we might be proficient at ‘honoring God with our lips’…but then accusing us of possessing hearts that are ‘far from Him’ (Matt. 15:8)

It can happen to new converts just as easily as it can happen to ‘seasoned saints’. God sure has His hands full constantly trying to get us ‘back in our-His lane’ …lest we drift and perish (Heb. 2:1; Luke 13:3,5).

I shared this week of a couple of instances where He had to do that with me, and continues to do so even today: Be careful and alert…and guard your heart!. We are fully aware of an ‘enemy’ who roams about like a roaring lion seeking to devour’ (1 Pet. 5:8). We are ‘not ignorant of his devices/schemes’ (2 Cor. 2:11) and we know exactly how he operates when it comes to ‘enticing us to sin’ …which leads to death (James 1:13-16). Believe it or not, I’ve learned a few things along the way; in fact not long ago, I had the boys over and guess what kind of cookies we made together? :- ). God does not mind us ‘enjoying all things that He has blessed us with’ (1 Tim. 6:17).

Back early on in this journey I’ve been on these past six years, I remember studying that story of the rich young ruler and the Lord was wanting to offer more insight to what this ‘idolatry’ issue was all about. Why was that young man so reluctant to do as Jesus asked of Him, to part with his wealth and possessions and follow Him so that he might have true ‘life’. For that young man, he clearly had made an idol out of his riches; but for us, it can be something else. In fact it can easily be something that God has blessed us with, which is why He admonished His people back in Deut. 8 to be careful not to forget Him after…He had blessed them with so much, from homes to crops to livestock and even gold and silver. God doesn’t mind us ‘having things; He just doesn’t want those things to ‘have us’. And rest assured…there will be those times when He will ‘test our hearts’ to make sure of this.

Make no mistake about it, God desires, and even demands…that He must have our ‘whole heart’ if we expect this ‘abundant life’ to come to fruition in our lives. It simply does not work any other way; and if you think otherwise…then you might be walking in a ‘form of godliness’ while ‘denying the power…always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth’ (2 Tim. 3:5-7).

I know it can be a difficult story to process, but God tested Abraham’s heart and asked him to offer up his only son, Issac, as a sacrifice. And once God knew that Abraham remained fully committed to Him, there was no need to go any further. Of course we all know that eventually...God would offer up HIs only begotten Son...for us.  If you are familiar with my personal testimony, God tested my heart early on in my walk with Him…to see if I was willing to lay aside someone who was very special to me at the time. Once it was clear that I would indeed do that…God intervened in a similar fashion that He did with Abraham; and today I’ve been married to that special person for over 45 years.:- )

So yes, it is important that we ‘guard our hearts’ and ‘check them’ regularly (2 Cor. 13:5). We are, after all warned and admonished to ‘give no place to the devil’ who is relentless in seeking access back into our lives (Eph. 4:27; 1 Pet. 5:8; Matt. 12:43-45).

But the lesson I came to learn and understand had to do with the ‘spiritual mechanics’ as to how ‘idols come to be’. Whether we are talking about money, a fancy sports car, a new home, or even a bottomless bowl of chips and salsa…’things’ have a way of offering us something that God Himself wants to be the source of, and not those material things.

Think about it…a person drives around town in a fancy new and expensive car, which is nothing more than painted steel …housing a load of plastic and rubber parts. What is it that makes him ‘feel’ so special and unique about possessing and driving such a car? Does it boost his…’pride’ and given him a sense of value and worth? How temporal and delusional is that?

Or consider this…why do we all seem to admit to having a particular ‘comfort food’ that we indulge in when we get discouraged or depressed. Is not God …supposed to be our source of ‘comfort and joy’? Do we trust and find ‘security’ in God…or our 401K’s and bank accounts? And what might possibly make you ‘rejoice inwardly’ when you see misfortune fall upon others whom you don’t care for?

The area we need to give attention to is this idea of ‘good feelings’ that we ‘sense’ when we turn to ‘things’ instead of God. Some might explain them to be ‘endorphins’, a ‘chemical release’ in our bodies that can create addictive qualities when we get ‘attached’ to such ‘good feelings/vibes’. It’s not so much the car itself, or the home or clothes that we get addicted to, but the ‘feelings’ that result in having or indulging ourselves with such things. Then…when those temporal feelings subside…what do we end up doing? Buying fancier cars, building bigger homes…or eating two pieces of that chocolate cake, or second drink, etc. I think you get the idea here? And that is when it becomes problematic for us, because not only are we drifting out of God’s lane…but we are actually ‘provoking Him to jealousy’ (1 Cor. 10:22).

Care to guess who might be behind all that? I would submit to you that if you have an unhealthy or addictive quality towards something that is NOT God, and you find yourself succumbing to its pull whenever you are vulnerable…that it might be more than just ‘endorphins’ that is working in you. Remember what Paul taught in Eph. 6:12: “It’s not flesh and blood you are contending with…but spiritual forces of darkness and wickedness’. It most likely is a ‘demon’ spirit…that knows how to ‘activate’ those ‘pleasurable feelings’. Why do you think it proves to be more than challenging, if not impossible…for so many people to break free of such addictions?

For the man addicted to porn/sex, or that woman who can’t seem to break free of anxiety or bitterness…you name the attachment you can't break away from...I have some good news for you: You can be free of that…as in totally and completely free (Luke 4:18; John 32-36). But it helps to first recognize and acknowledge what you are up against, and that you in your own self…are powerless to overcome it.

Meet me back here tomorrow?