Ezekiel 14:1-4
“Some of the leaders of Israel approached me and sat down with me. GOD’s Message came to me: ‘Son of Man, these people have installed idols in their hearts. They have embraced the wickedness that will ruin them. Why should I even bother with their prayers? Therefore tell them, ‘The Message of GOD, the Master: All in Israel who install idols in their hearts and embrace the wickedness that will ruin them and still have the gall to come to a prophet, be on notice: I, GOD, will step in and personally answer them as they come dragging along their mob of idols.’”
“Then some of the leaders of Israel visited me, and while they were sitting with me, this message came to me from the LORD: ‘Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests? Tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and fallen into sin, and then they go to a prophet asking for a message. So I, the LORD, will give them the kind of answer their great idolatry deserves.’”
God sees our hearts, the seat of our longings and desires. Mostly we hide our hearts from others. But God knows who longs for only what he can provide and how thick their defensive walls. And he knows who’s many idols are firmly enthroned. Only the Perfect One can judge perfectly. I am grateful to leave it in his hands.
Also, these verses are a warning against insincerity and striving to be political correct. We should search our hearts for idols before presenting ourselves to God or his earthly representatives. They get in the way, often fatally, of seeing our path to an eternal future.
Lord, you are utterly good. I rest in that. You are big enough to hold every heart in your hand and judge it rightly. Reveal to me the idols of my heart, some of which I am unaware, that I may bring them to you for deliverance and healing.