"Then some elders of Israel came to me and sat down before me. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “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 consulted by them at all? Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Any man of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will be brought to give him an answer in the matter in view of the multitude of his idols, in order to lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel who are estranged from Me through all their idols. Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Repent and turn away from your idols and turn your faces away from all your abominations."
What does the Lord Jesus see when He looks into your heart? This passage is as much to every person who ever lived as it was for those to whom He was addressing.
Idolatry is rampant in our culture. Has been ever since mankind fell into sin. Satan has wanted to be worshipped. He wants God's place in the hearts of mankind.
Don't see idols? They are everywhere. If you are near a shopping mall you can't walk through one without seeing the evidence. If you live near a college or university you are immersed in idolatry.
No where in the Bible is it ever written that Jesus was just kidding concerned "You shall have no other gods before Me." No where did He say you shouldn't take Him seriously when He said "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit."
Look at Ezekiel again. These people saw nothing wrong with their lives.
You probably don't either.
Yet what applies to them applies to all of us. The Lord searches and sees.
There are more passages that speak to that. Nobody is good enough to see their own deception. Read what Paul said in the New Testament. He said his spirit was provoked within him when he saw the myriad of idols in a city he was visiting.
Does it bother you at all? Does it?
It should. If it bothers God, it's supposed to bother us.
Personally I took a stand against it in my own life several years ago. Although at the time it seemed harmless, God began showing me how it caused me to turn on people in anger and resentment. Bitterness is a seed that nobody should plant. Don't think you are immune.
I don't need to name names. You already know the names of the idols in your life.
You wear shirts and hats, buy memorabilia to show it off. You get mad at any opposing team, their fans etc. You hop on board the bandwagon when you find another like you. You bash people because of their choices. People get hurt all in the name of 'their' team and nobody really cares. I know, because I did it! At the time, I didn't care if people were hurt by my words or actions.
One day God showed me what He saw me doing. I was ashamed. I was putting a thing before obeying Him.
One by one, starting back then, Jesus has been showing me just how many idols were within me. Just as He spoke to Ezekiel. Want personal proof? Ask Jesus yourself. Go ahead, ask Him if you have idols set up in your heart.
You can't turn on a radio, a webcast, a streaming service, a television or go to a movie, let alone a sports event without being immersed in idolatry.
Oh, no it's not just for fun.
Oh, no it's not that bad, yes, it is.
Oh, no I am not serious! Yes, you are. If you weren't, you would be spending time, energy and effort, let alone money on it.
You see, Jesus thought about saving lives as the most important thing. To the point of coming here, living a sinless life, being tortured. Dying on a cross. Going through Resurrection. Because He thinks your life is that important. For God so loved the world...doesn't say liked. Says loved.
He was serious throughout His entire earthly ministry. More so in this age than before people are committing suicide due to bullying. What do you think harassing someone does to them? It wears them down in self value. It isn't all in fun anymore is it?
That's something God showed me. It's why I will no longer wear shirts, hats or anything that isn't going to point people to Jesus if at all possible.
I really don't want to find out some day that I pushed someone away from Jesus. I already know there are people that I have done so with.
So what does Jesus see when He looks in your heart? That's for you to examine. Because I know what He shows me. I finally got wise enough to ask Him.
Soon He is returning. Soon this world will go through 7 years of Hell on Earth due to the judgment of God upon mankind and the Earth. Are you showing people Jesus NOW or are you showing them what or who is REALLY important to you? You must choose. I chose to show Jesus.
The people Jesus addresses in Ezekiel thought they were ok. Thought they weren't in the wrong. God was there but wasn't that important to them.
What does your life say about you?
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