Idols of the Heart. This series is about four root idols that drive our behavior.
1. Power: a longing for influence or recognition
2. Control: a longing to have everything go according to my plan
3. Comfort: a longing for pleasure
4. Approval: a longing to be accepted or desired
Someone may long for a promotion and the accompanying salary. There is nothing wrong with either; the intensity of the desire is what makes it sinful. I repent of my idolatry not by looking myself in the mirror and telling myself, I can displace it in my energy, might, or goodness. I repent of my lesser gods by remembering the Great God who is above all gods. We can repent of our longing for:
• power by submitting to His greater power within me Ephesians 5:18
• control by surrendering to His ultimate control[Ecclesiastes 3:12-14
• comfort by remembering He is the greater comfort 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
• approval by rejoicing in His gracious approval Galatians 3:13; Numbers 6:24-26
Martin Luther believed that every violation of the Ten Co