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Ezekiel 14:6

“Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!’”

Even in exile, Israel still had challenges. Even after being disciplined for their rebellion, they continued to worship idols. As a result, God addressed the sin. He always does.

The insidious issue of idols is not so much about the object. After all, the object is an inanimate piece of wood, stone, or metal. It cannot see, hear, or respond. But God explained that when we bow before anything other than Him, we set up idols in our hearts (Ezekiel14:3). The heart, the center of our mind, emotion, and will, becomes divided. We internalize our idols, and it (or they) becomes the focus of our hearts. Our idols normally don’t show up in the form of a statue. Rather they are the heart emotions of lust, greed, avarice, pride, self-absorption, self-promotion, jealousy, appearance. The underlying issue of idols is not the “thing” but what the thing represents.

Here’s today’s question: Do you have anything, besides God, set up in your heart? If so, “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!’”

Father, I pause now to evaluate my heart. Examine me. Show me what is inside. Give me a good look at my sin. Then give me the strength and commitment to turn from that thing that turns me from You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Read through the Bible this year:

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Today on The Journey Broadcast:

 

God’s Idea: The Gift – Part 1