Now write the top 5 present or potential ‘idols’

from your check-list onto this heart


Ask Yourself…
1. Am I willing to sin to get this?
Identifying
2. Am I willing to sin if I think I’m going to lose this?
3. Do I turn to this as a ‘Refuge’ and comfort instead of going to God?
Personal ‘Idols’

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;

try me, and know my anxieties; and see if
there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24

“Those who cling to worthless

idols forfeit the grace
that could be theirs.”
Jonah 2:8 (NIV)

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Florence, KY 41042
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 Place a  next to the items / issues  Hurt-Free / Pain-Free Life – I don’t want to
Questions to Ask that you think might be current or deal with problems. There shouldn’t be any
difficulties. I shouldn’t have to go through
Yourself potential ‘idols’ in your life anything unsettling… because I want peace.

as you search your own heart  Performance – especially for significant oth-  Christian Marriage and Home – I’ll be success-
ers – you try to please to get or to keep accep- ful if my children turn out right. That can be-
 What do you want, desire, seek, aim for, tance or approval. Example: for parents or come an idol. Or I want people to look at our
spouse. When you please man rather than marriage and think we have the best marriage
pursue, hope for? God, this is idolatry. If that is the case, then in the world. I cannot serve God and have joy
 What are your goals, expectations, in- you are worshipping that person more than until my spouse changes and starts doing
tentions? God. Fearful of what others think rather than _______ .
obeying God – this is a problem.
 What do you feel like doing? Do you  Physical Appearance
want what you want, or do you want  Performance for Self (Perfectionism) – trying
Christ’s lordship over your life? to perform up to our own standards that we  Being respected / Admired
have set. Can become a Pharisee. When I
 Where do you look for security, mean- meet the standard, I feel good; when I don’t I  Being self-sufficient / Independent
ing, happiness, fulfillment, joy, or com- feel bad. Making a personal list for myself to
fort? Where you do put your ‘basic follow that is higher than what God says.  A Material Thing – car, house, jewelry, etc.
trust’?  Athletic Abilities / Achievements
 Performance of Others – I make a list of what
 What would make you happy? others should do. Example: For my spouse to
be a good husband / wife he / she must do…  Hobbies ~ sports, reading, whatever
 What do you fear? What do you tend to
(1,2,3, etc.). If he/she doesn’t do these things, I
worry about? become judgmental and unloving.  An Ideal ("Pro-life movement,
"Peace Movement," political party, etc.)
 What do you love and hate most of all?
 Good Health – My goal shouldn’t be this, but
 How do you define success or failure in a to glorify God. It’s OK to pray for healing but
 Being Treated Fairly
particular situation? don’t let getting healed become an idol. God
 Success / Position / Power
may want you to be sick in order to glorify
 What image do you have of who you Himself (see John 9).
are? Ought to be or want to be?  Worldly Pleasures (drugs, alcohol, food, sex,
etc)
 At your deathbed what to you would
 Love of Money – I take a promotion just to get
more money  Being in Control
sum up your life as worthwhile?
 What do you see as your ‘rights’?  Success – What’s a good day to you? Answer-  Meeting Goals / Achievements
ing this question helps to reveal idols of the
 When you are pressured or tense, where heart. What made it a good day in your mind?  A Child or Children
do you turn? What do you think about? Usually it’s “I got a lot accomplished / done.”
 What do you pray for?
Or “I pleased significant others. “ Or “I got my  Getting Married
way… Others did for me what I want them to


do.” Etc.  Having Your 'Needs' Met
“Guard your heart with all diligence, for  Fairness - Life has to be fair! (Psalm 73) “I’ve  Other?
out of it flows the issues of life” been trying to please God; these others aren’t __________________________
Proverbs 4:23 even trying and they prosper.” This can cause
you to almost forsake the faith (Psa. 73:2).