What Is Your Idol? Moving Beyond Stone to the Strongholds of the Heart
The command is clear and uncompromising: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them…” (Exodus 20:4-5, KJV).
In a recent demonstration, a physical stone image was destroyed, an act of obedience to cleanse a physical space. Yet, the work of cleansing the heart is infinitely more challenging. As believers anticipating the Lord’s return, we must confront the hidden, modern graven images that take residence in our hearts and demand the allegiance that belongs only to the Creator.
The preparation for the coming King requires that we, the Church, stand as the Bride without spot, or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). A life divided by compromise is not a life prepared for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
The Public Challenge: Idolatry is Not Just a Private Sin
To believe that idols are only a problem of the ancient world is to ignore the brazen, public declaration of allegiance to false gods visible in every major city and seat of learning across the nation. The spiritual battle against the graven image is not confined to the individual’s heart or home; it is an open challenge etched in stone across the public landscape.
1. The Enduring Veneration of Religious Statues
The act of “bowing down” to a physical statue of religious figures, like the one recently destroyed, is a practice that continues with fervent and often increasing devotion across the nation. The reverence paid to these images—the lighting of candles, the bringing of floral offerings, the kneeling in prayer before the material object—is exactly what the Second Commandment forbids. While sincere devotees may claim to honor the person represented, the very focus on the image as an intermediary or a source of blessing is a direct violation of the command to worship the invisible God “in spirit and in truth.”
“Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24, KJV)
The veneration of the creature—whether a saint or a physical representation—is a form of idolatry that diverts the singular, perfect adoration due only to the Creator.
2. Pagan Idols in the Civic Square
Furthermore, our cities and institutions are saturated with ancient pagan idols, proudly displayed as symbols of civic pride, education, and industry. These are not mere architectural decorations; they are monuments to the same gods that the prophets of Israel were commanded to cast down and utterly destroy.
- Vulcan in Birmingham: The massive 56-foot statue of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and the forge, stands as a civic icon, setting a heathen god on a pedestal as a representative of American industry and success.
- Minerva in Academia: The Roman goddess of wisdom, Minerva (Greek: Athena), is enshrined on university seals, in libraries, and on campus grounds across the nation. Her image is used to represent the pursuit of knowledge, subtly teaching people to look to a pagan deity for intellectual guidance, rather than the true “wisdom that is from above.”
- Atlas, Zeus, and the Pantheon: Statues of Atlas, condemned to hold up the heavens, adorn centers of finance and power, while figures of Zeus, Mercury, and others are embedded in the architecture of government buildings and libraries, including the Library of Congress and the U.S. Capitol.
The widespread presence of these figures signals a deep, structural compromise in our society’s foundation. The destruction of one idol is a call to recognize the thousands of pagan statues scattered across the land, each one a public, standing challenge to the uncompromising Law of the Returning Lord.
“And I will cut off thy graven images and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the works of thine hands.” (Micah 5:13, KJV)
The Subtle Shift: From Stone to System
While the public square challenges us with stone, the personal challenge lies in the internal idols of the heart. Idolatry is not defined by the material of the image, but by the misplaced devotion—it is the act of valuing, trusting, or serving anything more than the Living God. The prophet Ezekiel warned of this internal transgression: “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart…” (Ezekiel 14:3, KJV).
The Three Modern Idols of the Prepared Heart
To be ready for the return of Christ is to identify and demolish these three common idols of the modern age:
1. The Idol of Wealth (Mammon)
The pursuit and hoarding of wealth often becomes a source of security that surpasses our faith in God’s provision. It is the belief that prosperity is secured by one’s portfolio, not their covenant. The destruction of this idol requires trust.
2. The Idol of Self (Ego and Reputation)
This idol is the obsession with one’s own image, status, and approval among men. It manifests as the need for constant validation and the willingness to compromise truth to maintain a public profile. The destruction of this idol requires humility.
3. The Idol of Comfort and Pleasure
This idol is the relentless seeking of ease, distraction, and temporal satisfaction. It is the spiritual drowsiness that prevents watchfulness, causing the believer to love the fleeting comforts of this present world more than the promised kingdom. The destruction of this idol requires discipline.
The Final Call to Demolition
The time for spiritual renovation is now. We are called not only to put away physical graven images but to tear down the strongholds of the heart that have been elevated above the Law of God.
The Lord’s Return is not merely an event to be studied; it is a summons to holiness. Examine your life today. Identify the one thing that commands your greatest affection, security, or attention outside of Jesus Christ. That is your idol. As we await the King, may our hearts be single in their allegiance, our houses cleansed, and our lives wholly dedicated to the one who deserves all glory.
“Flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14, KJV)