Excellent Wife Wisdom–Idols of the Heart
“An idol can be anything. It may even be a good thing. But if we want it so badly that we sin if we don’t get it or sin to attain it, then we are worshiping an idol rather than Christ.”
-A quote from Lou Priolo, The Excellent Wife, p. 59
We are worshiping something or someone all the time. What we worship is what we talk about, spend time and money on and seek after. There is a struggle in our hearts between the desires we have and pure devotion to Christ. When we allow idols into our hearts God will do what He must to break us from them because He deserves all of our hearts.
Our idols may seem to be subtle and we can be easily deceived by them. I remember hearing the word “idol” when I was around 10 years old and I just had the image of a little statue or totem pole in my mind. But these are not the false gods we are usually worshiping. In chapter 7 of The Excellent Wife, Martha Peace gives a list of common idols that wives may have their hearts set on–
-Good health
-Physical appearance
-Having a Christian marriage
-Being treated fairly
-Having a hurt free/pain free life
-Worldly pleasures (drugs, alcohol, sex)
-A child or children
-Another person (man or woman)
-A material thing
-An ideal (”pro-life movement,” “peace movement”)
-Money
-Success
-Other’s approval
-Being in control
-Having your “needs” metThe Excellent Wife, p. 60-61
I long to have deep intimate fellowship with Christ and pure devotion to Him, but as I look through this list I can pinpoint areas that I struggle with. It is a good practice to regularly ask God to show you your idols. Last year I started doing this in my quiet times. I wrote out Psalm 139:23-24 on a card and put it in my prayer journal. I’ve really started to see my idols for what they are and that the right response is casting off those idols and clinging to Christ. This is so spiritually refreshing to be able to confess those things and have forgiveness and is also motivating for holiness because I know that God wants me to be pure in my devotion to Him.
As long as things are going well in the areas you have your heart set on, you will feel all right. When they do not turn out as you may desire, frustration and perhaps anxiety begin to build even to the point of desperation…God also frustrates your idol worship because He wants your pure devotion to Him (Matthew 22:37-38).
The Excellent Wife, p.61
Idols are things all of us, not just wives, struggle with. I hope you will join me in praying Psalm 139:23-24 with a readiness to change any desires that are hindering pure devotion to Him.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24
October 3rd, 2007
A former pastor once told our congregation that a reasonable test to uncover our idols was to think about what we turned to when happy or sad. As I thought through this, I saw the truth in it regarding some personal idols. Asking ourselves the question regularly is necessary in this walk of sanctification. Thanks for continuing in these Excellent Wife posts.
October 4th, 2007
Christa, thank you for your post It reminds me that I always need to be searching my heart and not be ok with where I am. I have prayed Psalm 139:23-24 many times and I know that I should be praying this Psalm every morning when I wake that I may cast all of my idols off each day and cling to Christ. I am reading excellent wife also and this was a very challenging chapter for me.
October 4th, 2007
Christa, Thank you so much for your ongoing comments on The Excellent Wife! It has encouraged me to get back into reading it during my afternoon down time while the kids are sleeping! You are such an encouragement and the things you comment on from the book are great. Keep it up! Psalm 139 has been on my heart so much lately. From your blog, Mike’s sermons (I hear about them from you and Jenn) and a DVD bible study I am doing with the women at my church I have been so encouraged to continually ask the Lord to “Search me” so that I can “put off” the sin in my heart and “put on” the truths of God’s Word. it is a continual battle and I appreciate your encouragement amidst the fight!
October 4th, 2007
When I first got this book, before reading it, I flipped through the pages and read the list you mention. Ouch! I definitely identified some areas in which I need to be repenting and seeking God’s help. It is, for all of us, an ongoing struggle, as idols can change. Satan can even use “good” things to become an idol. Your first quote, by Lou Priolo, is wise. Idolizing service to God can become legalistic, idolizing your spouse can make you anxious and not reliant on trusting your Heavenly Father, etc. Thanks for this post and the great wisdom it brings. I just love the biblical morsels you always digest from this book.
October 4th, 2007
Hi sis, your posts are always so encouraging to me! I have started reading The Excellent Wife again. It convicts me, and I’m not even married! Thank you for your thoughts, you really gave me some things to think over.