
"Little children, guard yourselves from idols" is the warning the apostle John gave us in 1 John 5:21 (NASB). An idol is a false god- any object of worship other than the one true God. Idolatry is the ultimate sin. Since we were created to worship the true and living God, putting anyone or anything in first place but the Lord God is a heinous sin against Him and puts us in a dangerous position. The Father sees those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23).
Who or what is most important to us becomes that whom we worship. Our thoughts, love, devotion, trust, adoration, obedience, money, and time spent are directed to this object above all others. This object of worship is truly our God or our god.
Though we may not bow down to statues, as did the Israelites of old, and like those in other cultures and religions in the present world, it is easy for us to make people and things of this world subtly more important to us than the Lord Himself. Now, pray this prayer from your heart, to express the commitment of your heart that chooses to "worship the Lord your God and serve Him only." (Matthew 4:10)
Dear Heavenly Father, I know how easy it is to allow other things and other people to become more important to me than You. I also know that this is terribly offensive to Your Holy eyes since You have commanded that I "shall have no other gods before You" (Exodus 20:3). I confess to You that I have not loved You with all my heart and soul and mind (Matt. 22:37), and as a result I have sinned against You, violating the first and greatest commandment. I repent of and turn away from this idolatry and now choose to return to You, Lord Jesus, as my first love once again (Revelation 2:4-5). Please reveal to my mind now any and all idols in my life. I want to renounce each of them, and in so doing, cancel out any and all ground Satan may have gained in my life through idolatry. In the name of Jesus, the one true God. Amen.
Use the checklist below to help recognize those areas that have been a trap for you. Notice that most (if not all) of these areas are not evil in themselves; they become idols when they usurp God's rightful place as Lord of our lives. (Note family issues with an "F")
| ___Ambition | ___Children | ___Knowledge/Being right |
| ___Money/Possessions | ___Sports/physical fitness | ___Computers/Games/Software |
| ___Financial Security | ___Hobbies/Collecting things | ___Position/Credentials/Degrees |
| ___My work | ___Popularity/Opinion of others | ___Drugs/Alcohol/Food/Any substance |
| ___Friends | ___Fun/Pleasure | ___TV/Movies/Music/Internet/Other media |
| ___Spouse | ___Appearance/Image | ___Rock stars/Media celebrities/Athletes |
| ___Boyfriend/Girlfriend | ___Busyness/Activity | ___Church/Christian activities/Ministries |
| ___Parents | ___Power/Control | ___Ancestors/Heritage/Forefathers |
| ___Individuals [name them] | ___My opinions | ___Other__________________ |
As the Holy Spirit brings to your mind the things or people that have become more important to you than the One True God, Jesus Christ, use the prayer below to renounce them now.
In the Name of the true and living God, Jesus Christ, I renounce my worship of the false gods of ______________. I choose to worship only You, Lord, and ask You, Father, to enable me to keep all these areas in their proper place in my life. I renounce idolatry and all it’s effect in my life (marriage, family and ministry). Thank You that I am forgiven. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Form A1b - Rev. 6-08. www.setfreeministries.com