Progression of an Idol
An idol is something we set our hearts on instead of God.
DESIRE →
“I want...”
Your desire is what tempts you to sin:
Epithumia–Strong desire not bad in itself (some bad desires are lust, greed) • Must be held before God with an open hand
“I want... peace, dessert, clothes, comfort, fun, respect, admiration, etc."
Desire grows and quickly morphs into....
DESIRE → DEMAND
“I must...”
Left your proper position in submission to God (closed your hand over the desire). • I am no longer comforted by God’s desire for me–I am threatened by it.
“I can no longer conceive a good life without it” “I must have it”
DESIRE → DEMAND → NEED
“I will...”
A devastating step in eventual slavery to desire–now it is essential.
I view my desire as essential to life (like breathing, I can’t live without it). “I deserve it.” • “I have a right to...” “I’ll do everything in my power to get it.
DESIRE → DEMAND → NEED → EXPECTATION
“You should....”
I am being denied what I need to live life and be happy.
“You should show you love me by meeting my needs.” (You’re my "needs meeter")
The dynamic of improper need driven expectations is the source of conflict.
DESIRE → DEMAND → NEED → EXPECTATION → DISAPPOINTMENT
“You didn’t...”
Your perceived need doesn’t get met: “Life/our relationships is not the way I expected”
A lot of conflict is not because others sin against us but they fail to meet our expectations. • “After all I’ve done for you...” “If you really loved me...”
DESIRE → DEMAND → NEED → EXPECTATION → DISAPPOINTMENT → PUNISHMENT
“Because you didn’t, I will...”
We become hurt, angry, bitter, resentful, because the people who say they love us seem insensitive to our perceived needs so we:
Strike Back
Ignore them
Abuse them verbally or physically
This becomes your kingdom, not God’s. You are no longer motivated by love for God & others. Instead you love things and use people and God to get them.