Idols of the Heart: The Hidden Battle for Change
Published: Fri, 04/04/25
Updated: Fri, 04/04/25
Sessions Include:How People Change, Lesson #1 How People Change, Lesson #2 How People Change, Lesson #3 How People Change, Lesson #4 How People Change, Lesson #5 How People Change, Lesson #6 How People Change, Lesson #7 How People Change, Lesson #8 How People Change, Lesson #9 How People Change, Lesson #10 How People Change, Lesson #11 How People Change, Lesson #12 How People Change, Lesson #13 How People Change, Lesson #14 How People Change, Lesson #15 How People Change, Lesson #16 Why Study Books?My church recently transitioned to using books as curriculum in our Sunday School. The reason is simple. My life has been profoundly influenced by the reading of books. I don’t think my life has ever been changed by any curriculum piece I have ever read. Ever. I have actually surveyed a number of groups I have taught over the years, asking: Has your life ever been changed by any curriculum? The most common response is for people to laugh out loud. Our first study was the Bless book by Dave and Jon Ferguson. It is a great study on relational lifestyle evangelism. About half-way through the the study, we did a survey to help determine what we would study next. No one wanted to go back to the curriculum. Not. One. Person. The #1 choice for what to study next was a tie:
We will be studying these two books over the next year and a half or so. Here is what Amazon says about Ortberg’s book: The Me I Want to Be will help you discover spiritual vitality like never before as you learn to "live in the flow of the spirit." Why does spiritual growth seem so difficult? God's vision for your life is not just that you are saved by grace, but that you also learn to live by grace, flourishing with the Spirit flowing through you. And this book will show how God's perfect vision for you starts with a powerful promise: All those who trust in God "will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Pastor and best-selling author John Ortberg first helps gauge your spiritual health and measure the gap between where you are now and where God intends you to be. Then he provides detailed tasks and exercises to help you live in the flow of the Spirit, circumventing real-world barriers - pain and sorrow, temptations, self-doubt, sin - to flourish even in a dark and broken world. As you start living in the flow, you will feel:
God invites you to join him in crafting an abundant and joy-filled life. The Me I Want to Be shows you how to graciously accept his invitation. I have just completed a new, 22-week study of John Ortberg’s book, The Me I Want to Be that we will be using in my church. (I had previously done a 7-week study.) I have always thought that using books as a curriculum would be a good idea, and I have written a lot of book studies over the years. One of the things that actually using books as curriculum caused me to realize has to do with cost. By writing a study on every chapter of this book, instead of my previous study that had a lesson for every section, the cost drops to below what we were paying for curriculum. Better curriculum. Cheaper cost. Win. Win.
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In How People Change, Paul David Tripp and Timothy S. Lane introduce the concept of “idols of the heart” as a central issue in the Christian life. While most people associate idolatry with physical statues or ancient practices, Tripp explains that idolatry is much closer to home—it happens in our hearts whenever we elevate something above God. Identifying and addressing these hidden idols is essential for real, lasting change. Tripp describes the heart as a “worship center,” constantly seeking something to trust, serve, and love. God designed us this way, but in a fallen world, our hearts often pursue created things rather than the Creator. These idols can take many forms: approval, control, success, comfort, relationships, or even good things like family or ministry. When something becomes so central to our lives that we believe we can’t be happy without it, it has become an idol. The problem with idols of the heart is not that the desires themselves are necessarily sinful, but that they become disordered. Tripp explains that these desires grow into “inordinate desires,” demanding more of our focus, energy, and trust than they deserve. For example, wanting to excel at work is a good thing, but when success becomes an idol, it can lead to overwork, neglecting relationships, or compromising integrity. Addressing idols requires more than self-discipline or willpower—it requires the gospel. Tripp emphasizes that idols can only be dethroned when we experience the transformative power of Christ. The gospel reveals that our deepest needs for love, security, and significance are fully met in God. When we trust in His promises and rest in His grace, our hearts are freed from the grip of lesser gods. Another crucial aspect of dealing with idols is community. Tripp and Lane argue that we often have blind spots when it comes to our own hearts. We need trusted believers who can lovingly confront us, point out the idols we may not see, and encourage us to realign our worship toward God. Honest, gospel-centered relationships are key to this process. The authors also remind readers that the battle against idolatry is ongoing. Even as we grow in sanctification, new idols can emerge, or old ones can resurface. But this is not a cause for despair. Tripp encourages believers to see this struggle as part of God’s sanctifying work. Each time we confront an idol, it’s an opportunity to deepen our dependence on Christ and reflect His image more fully. In How People Change, Tripp and Lane offer a powerful reminder that true transformation begins in the heart. By identifying and surrendering our idols, we invite the gospel to reshape our desires, leading us to a life of deeper joy, freedom, and worship. If you would like to explore this new study, it is available on Amazon, as well as part of Good Questions Have Groups Talking |
