Affections and Idols: What is God Calling You to Put Aside?

As we go through this time let’s begin to take inventory of those things that have been removed that pull for our affections even more than God.

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As I was surveying the current state of the world around us, I was struck by the reality of the vast amount of distractions that have pulled on our “affections” prior to this COVID-19 quarantine.

From the activities of going to a restaurant for a meal– to seeing a movie– to shopping for one more thing– to attending a sports event (or watching one on TV)– we are constantly having our time filled with things that entertain and comfort us. Even Christian conferences, concerts, and gatherings have become one form of entertainment that have consumed many believer’s time and affections.

But suddenly they have all been removed. As I was pondering the issue of how all of these things that pull on our affections are suddenly gone I had a quick vision of idols falling. I don’t think that most people set out to or intentionally make any of these things idols but anything that exalts itself above Christ or is vying for our attention and affections above God becomes an idol.

God, in His mercy, is aligning!

Prophetic voices have been prophesying “alignment” for a long time. We’ve been talking about the plumb line of God coming to align His people. It’s been happening on a small scale but not like we’d hoped or as we could see in the spirit. Now, suddenly it’s happening. We now can see and feel the pull that these other things have had upon our affections— yes, even conferences and ministry events.

Are they bad? NO! Of course not. They are wonderful gifts but were never meant to replace the personal, face to face time with our God. But when they become the focus of our affections that have replaced personal time with God and time in His Word then alignment is needed.

I remember when my husband and I had young children we felt to turn off cable and get rid of our TV because it had become a distraction to true face to face family time. The first week of its absence was like “going through withdrawals!” It had become the background noise in our home and it called for our attention to be turned toward it all the time. After that first week, we adjusted and began spending greater quality time with God and with one another. Alignment took place in our family. We removed the thing that was becoming an idol because it was demanding our affections. Our souls wanted to be appeased which left our spirits malnourished.

As we go through this time let’s begin to take inventory of those things that have been removed that pull for our affections even more than God. We can repent and ask for alignment so that when these things are once again available we will live in alignment and balance. Let’s not have this crisis be a “mere moment” of sobriety from things that have become idols or distractions that have gained our affections above the Lord Himself.

Ask the Holy Spirit to realign your priorities and the affections of your heart and soul. This truly is a moment in time that we are “coming back to our senses!”

I also want to encourage you to get face to face with your family members; those who are closed in with you! Let God rekindle the love between you and your spouse and let this be a time of restoration between parents and children. Share your hearts, carve out time that you walk together, play together, talk together and even heal together.

Let’s see our affections redeemed and idols fall. Soon we can eat out, see a movie, enjoy a sports event or attend a conference but let’s never again allow these things to have a higher place than Jesus! May His throne in our lives have the highest place!

www.inscribeministries.com

Featured Image by Charlz Gutiérrez De Piñeres on Unsplash

The views and opinions expressed by Kingdom Winds Collective Members, authors, and contributors are their own and do not represent the views of Kingdom Winds LLC.

About the Author

Jeffrey and Kathi Pelton understand our culture’s need for encouragement and hope. Through writing and speaking, they escort individuals into awareness of God’s profound compassion and mercy that heals brokenness, and they have a unique ability to help anyone seeking pathways into His kind embrace. For several years, the couple led a house of prayer located in Kelowna, British Columbia.