Money, sex and power.
They seem to be the great idols that may take the place of Jesus Christ in our lives.
For most of us, one of them has real power over us.
Compromised preachers love to preach against only one or two of them... but very rarely say a harsh word against the other.
Some love to preach against the sins people do in their bedrooms... but are all too eager to get into bed with the rich and the powerful.
Others make it their business to preach against the wealthy and the powerful... but don't think it is any of their business what people do with their bodies.
One set of idolators denounce the powerful but not the perverted.
Another set of idolators denounce the perverted but not the powerful.
Jesus said that in comparison to our passionate zeal for HIM, we must hate even the people & things that are closest to us - the things/people we would treasure most!
The holy prophets and apostles of the Bible speak against money, sex and power with equal zeal and passion - because for them all of these idols have been smashed and dethroned.
Are we like them?
Are we equally zealous in our battles against each of these idols?
Or... do we train all our guns against the idols that "other people" are serving, whilst ignoring the one that has a shrine in our own hearts and minds?
This afternoon I've been listening to a couple of powerful sermons on Sermonaudio that have really challenged me.
Luke 14:25-35.