Heart Idols

I want to give you a list of heart idolatries. Our heart is an idol factory. As you help people, you really need to have clear categories of what heart idolatries are. I find that many people, when they do counseling or discipleship, often tell people to put off one behavior and put on another. However, they don’t do heart examination as thoroughly as they should.

If we are not renewing our minds and being transformed at the level of our hearts, then there will not be long-term, sustainable change. Therefore, having a working knowledge of certain heart idolatries would be helpful. I’m going to give you a quick list.

• Significance: A person who craves significance will manifest behaviors that seek validation and importance.
• Meaning in Life: For some, finding meaning is their primary drive.
• Acceptance/Respect: Many struggle with the need for acceptance or respect.

These heart issues create specific behaviors. For example, telling a person who buys expensive clothes for significance to stop buying them and shop at Goodwill is not helpful. You haven’t addressed the ruling motive of the heart—significance.

Here’s another list of heart idolatries:

• Admiration: Seeking to be admired.
• Love: Craving to be loved by someone.
• Belonging: Wanting to be part of a group.
• Self-esteem: A common cultural idolatry is the need to think well of oneself.
• Pleasure: Loving pleasure.
• Control: Needing to be in control.
• Recognition: Tied to respect and acceptance.
• Power: Craving power.
• Success: Desiring success.
• Approval: Needing approval.
• Comfort: Seeking comfort.
• Satisfaction: Always wanting satisfaction.
• Greed: Being greedy.
• Self-ego: Tied to self-esteem.
• Pain Avoidance: Not wanting to suffer.

Many of these idolatries are synonymous. They manifest in different behaviors but stem from similar heart issues. For example, why shouldn’t someone want to be loved or respected? These desires are not inherently wrong, but they become problematic when they control us.

God sometimes brings suffering into our lives for a purpose. Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane and the cross are prime examples. If we try to create a life free from suffering, it can become an idolatry. The same goes for desires like ease, intimacy, and possessions.

These are common idolatries. They might not all sound bad, but none should control us. Ask yourself, “What will make me happy?” If the answer is a pain-free life or possessions, then idolatry is present.

You can add to this list, but the big idea is to have a good working knowledge of possible heart idolatries. When listening to people, practice two-level listening—hear what they’re saying and discern what their heart is expressing.