Ezekiel 14:3 – “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity. Should I be inquired by them at all?

As I read this, heavenly thoughts become so powerful that they invade my consciousness.  Those thoughts can be and should be translated into daily living.  In this, God uncovered a condition that still exists today.  What condition is that?  It is having idols of the heart.  Not inanimate objects manufactured but in our hearts.  This results in stumbling blocks before the face becomes the focus of the heart, mind, and eyes.

What is an idol?   A brief definition of an idol is anything that becomes the focus or takes away from the focus on God and His purposes.   It requires no soul searching because its design is self-serving.   Its root is in selfishness.  It involves no surrender of the heart because its purpose is self.  It allows life without repentance and brings no conviction – it is about self. If we allow anything to become our focus, where God is less than first, it becomes an idol and a stumbling block.

In Ezekiel 14:7, God told Ezekiel that the person who does that and then seeks the prophet for a word will be visited by God Himself.  You may say that is good.  NO!  It means God shows up in correction.   God will not share our hearts, but if He is FIRST, He brings us abundant life.  We are not deprived when God is FIRST.  But we must be careful not to allow any idols in our hearts.

I Corinthians 8:6 brings revelation – we exist for God and through Jesus.  In v.3, we read, “If anyone loves God, he HAS BEEN known by Him.”  If God knows us as His children, we receive our inheritance in Him.  That brings fullness and fulfillment. 1 Corinthians 10:31 – reminds us that Everything we do, we do for the glory of the Lord.  We must not allow our hearts to become divided. 

The injunction is that God must be First!  God is a covenant maker and covenant keeper.  His covenant cannot be fully known if we allow anything to infringe upon His place in our hearts. 

A good question would be, “Do we have idols of heart?  Have we put stumbling blocks before our faces?”   I am unable to answer that for anyone but me, but the Holy Spirit will.  Remember that even unintentional idols are stumbling blocks and become strongholds.  They hinder the flow of God’s fullness in us.

The question then is, “What do we do?”   We must seek God, asking Him to reveal any idols of the heart in us.  It may require prayer, fasting, meditation, and studying the Word.  God is willing to show us anything that holds our hearts in a way that diminishes His place.   Intentional or unintentional?   God does not desire to deprive us but to fulfill us. We must cry, “Father, please expose any idols in our hearts.”

Our future and hope have been birthed in God’s heart.   He wants to make us complete.  Completion is only realized in Total Surrender to Him.  God will reveal to every willing heart His purposes and desires.  Victory through surrender.   Ask Him to show you, and He will.  You can be free!

Have a fantastic day as you walk with Jesus in your heart!