Understanding Spiritual Warfare: Victory Through God's Presence, Prayer, and SurrenderSample

The Modern-Day Idol of Materialism

The apostle John, towards the end of his life, wrote a series of short letters to people he cared about. His final words in one of those letters came straight from his father’s heart. “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts” (1 John 5:21, NLT).

The words are simple, but they reflect a powerful truth. We need to watch out for anything that might compete with God for our love, trust, and devotion. Anything that pushes God out of the center of our lives is, whether we realize it or not, an idol.

One of the biggest idols we face is materialism. Materialism isn’t so much about the things we have as it is about what they do for us. When we look to them, rather than to God, for our safety, validation, or comfort, those possessions have usurped the throne of our hearts. We may not say it out loud, but our actions show that we have begun to trust money, things, or status more than we trust God.

Jesus warned, “You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money” (Matthew 6:24, NLT). Idolatry always leads to bondage. It promises security, but instead it fuels anxiety and a restless chase for more. Paul was clear about this in Colossians 3:5, calling greed a form of idolatry. When we believe that more will save us, fulfill us, or make us feel valuable, our hearts are pulled away from God.

But there is a better way. When God is at the center of our hearts, everything else finds its proper place. Instead of gripping things tightly, we can hold them loosely, as blessings from him that he has given us to manage. We become stewards, not owners.

This perspective brings freedom and peace. We don’t depend on what we have for our happiness. So, we don’t get obsessed with accumulating things, getting rich, or improving our status. And we don’t feel like our world is coming to an end if we go through loss.

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Has anything been taking God’s place in your affections? Begin to surrender those areas to him. Practice gratitude for what you already have, and watch how contentment grows. Worship him daily, lifting your eyes off what you lack and onto who he is. His love is enough, and his presence is better than anything you could buy or earn.

You will only find real freedom and lasting joy when Jesus is first. Today, choose to enthrone Jesus in his rightful place in your heart.

Reflection Questions

1. What possessions, goals, or comforts have been creeping into God’s place in your heart?
2. When are you tempted to look for safety or validation in something other than God? What can you do to ensure Jesus is on the throne of your heart?