https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-call-to-courage

1 John 5:21  Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

Exodus 20:3  "You shall have no other gods before Me.

Exodus 20:3  "You shall have no other gods before Me. idolatry is “making a good thing an ultimate thing.”

King Hezekiah 2 Kings 18:3-5  He did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done. He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him.  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

Idols don’t leave on their own, they have to be broken and discarded.  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

Nehushtan - The back story Numbers 21:6-9  The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. So the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us."  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

And Moses interceded for the people And Moses interceded for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live." And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

The idols We See – Our response Acts 17:16  (NLT) While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city.  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

Oswald Chambers in My Utmost For His Highest: “The real test of spiritual focus is being able to bring your mind and thoughts under control. Is your mind focused on the face of an idol? Is the idol yourself? Is it your work? Is it your idea of what a servant should be, or maybe your experience of salvation and sanctification? If so, then your ability to see God is blinded.”  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

The Hidden Idols of the Heart Ezekiel 14:3  (NLT) “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?  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

To love the truth means letting go of the lie.  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

Understanding the Principle of Expediency in Control 1 Corinthians 6:12  (KJV) All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

Understanding the Principle of Expediency in Control 1 Corinthians 6:12  (KJV) All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Emotion/Feelings- The things that move me Desire/Drive- The things that motivate me  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

“Where are my emotions most out of control?” IS IT AN IDOL? “Where are my emotions most out of control?”  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

“Where are my emotions most out of control?” IS IT AN IDOL? “Where are my emotions most out of control?” Will I get angry, anxious, or agitated if I can’t do it/don’t get it?  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

“Where are my emotions most out of control?” IS IT AN IDOL? “Where are my emotions most out of control?” Will I get angry, anxious, or agitated if I can’t do it/don’t get it? “Where am I most likely to struggle with balance?”  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

Understanding the Principle of Expediency in Construction 1 Corinthians 10:23  (KJV) All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Emotion/Feelings- The things that move me Desire/Drive- The things that motivate me  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

Am I willing to compromise my beliefs for it? IS IT AN IDOL? Am I willing to compromise my beliefs for it?  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

Am I willing to compromise my beliefs for it? IS IT AN IDOL? Am I willing to compromise my beliefs for it? Does it move me closer to God or farther away?  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

Am I willing to compromise my beliefs for it? IS IT AN IDOL? Am I willing to compromise my beliefs for it? Does it move me closer to God or farther away? Does it advance the Gospel and the cause of Christ?  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

Good things that have gone to a bad place… Titus 1:15-16  To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.  16  They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

Good things that have gone to a bad place… Titus 1:15-16  To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.  16  They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed. The irony of serving idols is that they promise so much and deliver so little.  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

Nehushtan – Looking Forward John 3:14-15  "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10  For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,  10  and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.  Recently, The Barna Group found that 56 percent of people under age 25 think that not recycling is wrong, but only 32 percent think that viewing porn is wrong! The same survey found that nearly half of young people actively seek out porn monthly or more often. 

https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-call-to-courage