Why is putting God first all the time in everything difficult?

The human heart is masterfully proficient at turning good things into ultimate things.

You can’t violate the other 9 commandments without breaking 1st.

-Martin Luther

A god is whatever we expect to provide all good and in which we take refuge in all distress...Whatever you set your heart on and put your trust in, that, I tell you, is your true god.

-Martin Luther

Idolatry may not involve explicit denials of God’s existence or character. It may well come in the form of an over-attachment to something that is, in itself, perfectly good ...

-Richard Keys

An idol can be a physical object, a property, a person, an activity, a role, an institution, a hope, an image, an idea, a pleasure, a hero - anything can be substitute for God.

-Richard Keys

(An idol) is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.

-Tim Keller

Idol Identification

Areas of life where you might have your loves out of order.

• What do you enjoy imagining?
• What are your fondest dreams?
• What prayer, if left unanswered   the way you desire for it to be   answered, makes God less ‘God’   to you?
• What are the locked-in dates on   your   calendar, the essential items in your   budget? What does your internet   browser say is most important to you?

False gods never fail to fail.

-Chris Wright

When idols fail, we:

1. Blame the things that disappoint us and idolize something else
2. Blame ourselves.

3. Blame the world and become cynical and empty.

4.  

   Reorient towards God.

Battleground Series Overview

Core ‘Deep’ Idols

  Comfort, Security, Power, Approval

We are made for God, and our hearts are restless until we find our rest thee.

-Augustine