We will always struggle to keep God as the center of our worship and satisfaction. Just like the verse in Come Thou Fount says, “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love,” I definitely feel that pull.

Even as a redeemed child of God, I struggle with my sin nature and will continue to fail and need to repent. While you and I will not be perfect in this life, we can make progress. That’s what I’d like to focus on today. How can you and I as Christians seeking to love God with all our hearts, souls, and strength avoid common traps that lead to idolatry?

While there are many great ways to do this, I’d like to share three practical tips to fight idolatry that have been extremely helpful in my own walk with the Lord.

The first is to develop the habit of spiritual disciplines.

Spiritual disciplines are practices we do because they aid us in our relationship with God. The two most powerful spiritual disciplines are prayer and Bible reading. I can’t even begin to describe how important these practices have been in my life.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2).

Surely the pattern of this world includes idolatry. Don’t you constantly hear messages that call you to put our hope in something other than God? But when I come to his Word on a regular basis, my mind is renewed. I see that thing, whatever it is, I have been placing my trust in is empty and will fail every time. I read about God’s character—how he is steadfast, and sustains his people, how his love never fails, and he is powerful.

As I pray and confess my need for him and praise him for his character, my mind is renewed and I am less likely to fall into the trap of looking to worthless things to satisfy me. What would it look like for you to prioritize prayer and Bible reading as a regular part of life to orient your mind and affections toward the Lord?

The next tip for fighting against idolatry is similar and takes the practice of Bible reading a step further.

I have found it very helpful to spend time meditating on God’s character. Now the word meditate in our current setting can often mean emptying or clearing your mind and just being present in the here and now. However, Biblical meditation is very different. It is not clearing the mind but actively setting the mind on truth and choosing to focus on that truth and mull it over—to steep in it and consider it from all angles.

Remember, even though you and I know idolatry proves fruitless, the pull and want of certain things is extremely powerful, sometimes ridiculously powerful. If you are struggling with a disordered love, something you feel you have to have or hold so dear that it has taken God’s place in your heart, if that’s you, I would commend you to meditate on God’s attributes.

As you read your Bible, take time to stop and ask yourself, what is this teaching me about God? What does this show me of his character? And then stop and ponder it. Maybe keep a notebook where you list what you learn about God from scripture. Pray about it. Talk with God about his character. Praise him, thank him, draw near to him. When was the last time you sat and marveled at who God is? It is so difficult to do in a world that is constantly rushing to the next thing! Meditation takes discipline and practice, and I need to cultivate that in my life more as well because it is so worthwhile.

A passage that might be helpful to start meditating on is Isaiah 46. That passage provides a wonderful contrast between false gods that vie for our hearts and the one true God. Listen to how verses 1-2 describe idols.

Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity (Isaiah 46:1-2).

The idols of the world are a burden for the weary. The text paints a picture of someone stooping low because they are so weighed down by their idols. Idols burden the worshippers have no power to unburden but instead lead to captivity. However, the one true God could not be more different.

Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared (Isaiah 46:3-5)?

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me (Isaiah 46:9).

In contrast to idols, the God of the Bible is described as someone who upholds his people, who carries them in love; he bears their burdens. He sustains his people and rescues them. He brings his righteousness and salvation near to us. As I ponder the goodness of a God who not only sees my need but is powerful and willing to help me, I am less likely to run after hollow substitutes. Meditation on God’s character will also fortify your heart.

We grow in the habits of prayer, Bible reading, and meditation, but I also think it is important to consider the relationship between idolatry and discontentment. Really, they are very similar.

Idolatry is a lack of contentment in the Lord. It is saying, “Lord, I see you, but I want more. I need something else to satisfy me. You are not enough for my soul.” If idolatry springs from discontentment in the Lord, wouldn’t it make sense to be active in cultivating contentment in order to guard our hearts? In Philippians 4:13, we find the beautiful and popular verse I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Sadly, this verse is often misunderstood to mean that whatever I want to do, I am able to do because Christ will help me. But that is not what this verse is saying. We can see the true meaning by looking at the context of the verse. What is Paul talking about? He is talking about contentment. He has just said he learned the secret of being content no matter what the circumstances, and it is that he can do all things through Christ.

In this context we could even say the verse is revealing that the Christian can bear all things or endure anything through Christ. That means whether my bank account is full or I’m broke, if I have Christ, I am secure. Whether I have a beautiful family or lose everyone I love, if I have Christ, I am rooted in a love that is sure and unshakable. Whether life is easy and comfortable and I experience the riches of God’s blessing or every day is painful and suffering seems to come in waves, if I am in Christ, the God of all comfort will minister to my soul and use all things for my ultimate good.

Are you content in Christ? Can you truly say, Jesus is enough? Can you declare, his grace is sufficient for all your needs?

It is normal if there are times when faith comes easier and when it is hard. Jesus was tempted as we are and knows the pull of our hearts away from the Father. But as you seek to grow in contentment, as you meditate on the character of God, as you take time to be in his word and pray, the Lord will meet you and draw your heart to himself. The words from the song Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus have proved so true in my life and I pray they will in yours too. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.” May it be so. Amen.