You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men; but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:39-47 NASB, emphasis mine)
I usually don’t introduce my posts with Bible verses. However, I read this passage from John 5 recently, and it really got my attention. Even though I think Jesus was directing these words at nonbelievers, verse 45 in particular hit my heart with a heavy thud and convicted me of several serious sins in my life.
In Other Words…Idolatry
I know I’ve been placing people and things over Jesus. Not all of these people and things are bad. In fact, several of them are good! But He’s convicted me that I treasure these people and things more than Him.
Yes, I still know Him. Yes, I still love Him. Yes, I still belong to Him.
But I’ve been chasing my fleshly desires. I’ve been wanting more, claiming to need more, and being willing to let something—sometimes anything—take His place. I’ve given into idolatry.
Idols of the Heart
I have a feeling that maybe—if you’re brutally honest with yourself—you’ll realize you’re placing something or someone above the One you claim is your Lord too.
- Maybe it’s a ministry you’ve poured your heart into for years. But you feel God is telling you it’s time to move on. And you don’t think you’re ready to let it go yet.
- Maybe it’s a boyfriend with the gorgeous smile and constant attention. But you realize you’ve given him too much of your time and energy. And you hate the idea of pulling back and slowing down.
- Maybe it’s that career opportunity you’ve dreamt about since childhood. But you think the Holy Spirit is prompting you to stay where you are. And you worry what will happen if you don’t go.
- Maybe it’s a best friend who’s always there for you. But you know she wants to follow God’s calling to be a foreign missionary. And you want to cry every time you think about her leaving.
Or maybe the person or thing you’ve been placing your hope in is a little dirtier—like the secret lover at work your husband doesn’t know about or the under-eating and over-exercising you attempt to hide from your family or the porn websites you visit when your roommate is asleep or the alcohol you consume on weekends to numb the pain you feel during the week.
Fallen-but-Forgiven Christians
As believers, we know the right answers: Only Jesus satisfies, worldly things can’t make us happy, and sin has consequences. So why do we—knowing the right answers—continue to put everything besides Jesus over Jesus?
Unfortunately, we often create a “How to Love Jesus More” to-do list for ourselves, rather than admitting the real problem: We still have a sin nature. Even Christians who seem to do all the right things still have a sin nature.
Trust me, I’m not trying to excuse the sin in my life or yours. We do need to repent of the idolatry in our lives. However, we shouldn’t be confused when we choose other people and things above Jesus. Our fleshly desires are real and active, no matter how “spiritual” we think we are or claim to be.
Friends, we placed our hope in Jesus when we asked Him to be our Savior. But we’re going to face (and probably give into) temptation because being a Christian doesn’t make us invincible. It makes us forgiven because God forgives. Don’t be afraid to ask Him for that forgiveness now.
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