Idolatry or idol may seem like an ancient term. We might think of an actual wooden carved statue or something physical to bow down to, which many religions worldwide have practiced for centuries. The idols I’m talking about are those bound in our hearts, minds, and souls, particularly the idol of self.
We may not realize this, but we idolize ourselves. We put ourselves first, and sometimes, it’s not necessarily intentional. But we must admit how quickly we can do that: protect and provide for me, feed me, see me, love me, know me, give me, me, me, me! I am first in line to admit the ‘meness’ in me! 

 If I keep myself at the center, it will be difficult for Jesus to be at my core, let alone anyone else.

We may think the worship of something (or someone) equates to freedom. Unless, as believers the heart of our worship is Christ then the worship of something (or someone) becomes like a prison. We get lured into so many different things, whether it be entertainers, entertainment, food/drink, exercise, body image, phone use, or going online to addictive sites and more. You name it, each finds a place potentially in our heart, and it builds a bar, and eventually, our entire heart is surrounded by steel bars, and we can’t get out of the prison we have slowly created.

But you know who holds the key – Jesus! Check out the song below by Zach Williams. He sings about the One who holds the key Wide Awake

When we acknowledge the steel bars surrounding our hearts with varying idols, we can begin to admit our need for Jesus to be the one who breaks down these steel bars and has the key so we can walk forward in freedom.

We have freedom by the power of Jesus Christ’s blood shed on the cross for our sins. We just have to receive the gift of salvation—we have to act. We have to acknowledge what he has done and receive this gift of salvation. We have to believe and receive this gift and then live like we have received it.

Remember high school? Sometimes high school is just hard!  Through my high school years, I wanted nothing more than to be seen and known, and unknowingly, many, many steel bars encased my heart and it became a little prison. I was suffocating, but I didn’t know it. I was quietly uncomfortable. I understand that at that stage in life, while in high school and surrounded by so many people the same age, it’s almost inevitable to be consumed with what others think, and it’s really hard to get out of it. Many roots are planted deep in the heart from wounds through the words and actions others. I lived in fear of what others thought of me instead of embracing consistently that I am a daughter of the King! I was allowing fear to consume me. I was too often at the centre of my life and not the Lord. For a time, what others thought was of more importance than what God thought of me.

Even today, I must remind myself that those thoughts are lies and speak the truth from God’s Word to myself. That’s why you need people to constantly say, “Sandee, did you just hear yourself? That is a total lie from the enemy!” Thank God I have people who can look at me and say that and then pray over me anytime, anywhere!

One of my favourite stories is my Walmart prayer moment! Yes, Walmart. I was shopping for underwear for one of my girls, and I looked over and saw my sweet friend! She knew I was going through something hard then, and it didn’t matter where we were; she prayed right then and there!

 I love that verse from Mathew 18:20,

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

 It was right there, just the two of us (and any other nearby shoppers listening in!) We prayed and it moved me!

We all have idols and lies that act like steel bars around our hearts. Give it to the One who knows you best and created you! Whatever is holding you back from walking in freedom with Christ is not unknown to God. I am speaking to myself right now, too. God is waiting for us to give it to him, and trust the process of overcoming lies with truth! The steel bars will melt away, Jesus holds the key!

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)

^“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

“Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” (Psalm 25:5)