Hidden Idols

Previously, we discussed manmade idols and modern idols, but now we’re on to hidden idols. So, what are hidden idols, and what are some examples of them? Hidden idols are called hidden because of how often they get overlooked. Some examples of hidden idols are: pride, fear, anxiety, lack of trust in God, identity, busyness, emotions, experiences, clarity, knowledge, and more. A lot of these are things we wouldn’t think would be an idol until you really take a look at them.
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” – Matthew 6:25-27.
Here, Jesus makes a great point. Is not life more important than these things, and how can one better themselves through worrying? Worry is one of these hidden idols, and Jesus reveals to us that worrying will get you nowhere for it is just a waste of time. If you get in worry, you try to do things differently than how God wants things to be done. While manmade idols and modern idols are all about things that try to seduce the heart with pleasures, hidden idols are things that linger within the heart, trying to compel and provoke the heart. Countless times have these hidden idols driven people to disobey God and do things they shouldn’t do. Saul was compelled to disobey God out of fear of the Philistines, which ultimately led to his downfall. They aren’t just distractions, they are traps. Manmade and modern idols are things that have to be removed from your life, but hidden idols are things that need to be uprooted from your heart and renewed with God’s Word and His characteristics. Idols want to taint your heart and stain it.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalms 51:10.
The thing about hidden idols is that their main tactic is through deception. As long as it can remain hidden, it thrives. How can a fearful person or a constantly busy person change if they don’t first realize their problem? They can’t! If they are so deceived that they always think they are in the right when they are actually in the wrong, then their heart is being tricked by their idol. Manmade and modern idols are focused on using materialistic things to distract your attention away from God, but hidden idols are focused on tricking your heart through deceptions. This is why it is so vital to check your heart every moment, because these hidden idols are very sneaky and that is their strength. So overall, idols are a very dangerous thing yet so common these days. They take many forms being from the image of a man, materialistic things, or hobbies, and also the hidden things of the heart. Don’t let them choke you from God. God cares about you and wants you to understand these things so that you may remove them from your life and renew yourself.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2.