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Do Good Desires Become Idols? How Do You Discern This?

Writer: Dwight SchettlerDwight Schettler
5 hours ago3 min read

What are some of the idols of the heart?

Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - Repent Before God, Question 18, p. 32

In our everyday lives, we often harbor desires that are fundamentally good—career success, a loving family, financial stability, and personal health, to name a few. These desires, in their purest form, are blessings from God meant to enrich our lives. But, as John Calvin aptly puts it, "The evil in our desire typically does not lie in what we want, but that we want it too much." It's in this excess that good desires may dangerously morph into idols.


How can we recognize when these good desires become idolatrous?


Firstly, let's understand what an idol is. An idol is anything we prioritize above God, even if it is inherently good. When our focus shifts from seeking God to solely pursuing these desires, we may have crossed the line. Luke 12:22-31 offers insightful guidance: “And he said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.’” This passage invites us to trust in God's provision rather than obsess over our needs and wants.


Moreover, James 4:1-3 warns us about the internal battles driven by uncontrollable desires: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” This passage illustrates how unchecked desires can breed conflict and sin.


To discern if our desires have become idols, we should introspect our motivations and actions. Are we exhibiting anxiety and restlessness over these desires? Are we neglecting our relationship with God in their pursuit? Are our prayers and actions aligning more with our passions than with God’s will? Idols are often the godly desires that we're willing to sin to acquire or avoid.


In times when we recognize our missteps, we can find gospel assurance in Romans 5:8: “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This verse reassures us of God's unwavering love and grace, reminding us that we are redeemed through Christ, even when we falter.


While it is natural to desire good things, we must be cautious not to elevate them above our devotion to God. By leaning on scriptures and seeking God’s kingdom first, we can maintain our focus and prevent our good desires from becoming idols.


 

This blog series is adapted from Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation. You can experience this teaching in several ways:

 
 
 

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