More than Disobedience

Many of us will come to a place in our life and we recognize that we have made an idol out of this drug, alcohol, relationship, technology and we vow to change. We recognize our disobedience and make a promise never to do it again. We say we will never fall victim to that idol again. We will try harder next time. We will focus more intently. We will change. Mark Twain said about resolutions: “Now is the time to make your annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.” The point is no matter how many promises we make for another chance, another opportunitiy, another time we still fail. As long as we think disobedience is the issue we will continue to be careless with our lives. Disobedience is the symptom to a bigger problem. It is impossible to change our ways without an inner change. Idolatry is a heart issue. The heart is the seat of idolatry. That was Israel’s problem. It wasn’t the disobedience that God was upset about. It was the idolatry. Idolatry leads to disobedience. Idolatry is a lack of trust in God. We turn to these other things or people to satisfy us when only God can satisfy. When we allow our heart to cling to something or someone other than God than we say to God you are not what I need. We were made for God so when we rely on something or someone else for ultimate security it is sin.