Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 23.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+23&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, “Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother;  and they played the harlot in Egypt.  They played the harlot in their youth;  there their breasts were pressed and there their virgin bosom was handled.  Their names were Oholah the elder and Oholibah her sister.  And they became Mine, and they bore sons and daughters.  And as for their names, Samaria is Oholah and Jerusalem is Oholibah.

“Oholah played the harlot while she was Mine;  and she lusted after her lovers, after the Assyrians, her neighbors, who were clothed in purple, governors and officials, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses.  She bestowed her harlotries on them, all of whom were the choicest men of Assyria;  and with all whom she lusted after, with all their idols she defiled herself.

…

“Now her sister Oholibah saw this, yet she was more corrupt in her lust than she, and her harlotries were more than the harlotries of her sister.  She lusted after the Assyrians, governors and officials, the ones near, magnificently dressed, horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men.  I saw that she had defiled herself;  they both took the same way.  So she increased her harlotries.  And she saw men portrayed on the wall, images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion, girded with belts on their loins, with flowing turbans on their heads, all of them looking like officers, like the Babylonians in Chaldea, the land of their birth.  When she saw them she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.  The Babylonians came to her to the bed of love and defiled her with their harlotry. And when she had been defiled by them, she became disgusted with them.

…

“For thus says the Lord God, ‘Bring up a company against them and give them over to terror and plunder.  The company will stone them with stones and cut them down with their swords;  they will slay their sons and their daughters and burn their houses with fire.  Thus I will make lewdness cease from the land, that all women may be admonished and not commit lewdness as you have done.  Your lewdness will be requited upon you, and you will bear the penalty of worshiping your idols;  thus you will know that I am the Lord God.’”  Ezekiel 23:1-7 and 11-17 and 46-49.

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Despite all the stunning unfaithfulness and other sin, other doctrine still prefers the god of their desires which is some kind of Santa Claus that only shows lovingkindness.

But, Reformed Doctrine presents the God of Scripture Who not only shows lovingkindness but Who also shows justice and righteousness.

We see such a showing of justice and righteousness by the LORD God in today’s Scripture.

“¹⁷ He put on righteousness like a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing
And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.
¹⁸ According to their deeds, so He will repay,
Wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies;
To the coastlands He will make recompense.
¹⁹ So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west
And His glory from the rising of the sun,
For He will come like a rushing stream
Which the wind of the LORD drives.”  Isaiah 59:17-19.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.   

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 22.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+22&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, say to her, ‘You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’  There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst like a roaring lion tearing the prey.  They have devoured lives;  they have taken treasure and precious things;  they have made many widows in the midst of her.  Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things;  they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean;  and they hide their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.  Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain.  Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken.  The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice.  I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it;  but I found no one.”  Ezekiel 22:23-30.

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Other doctrine keeps searching for that man who would save.

But, Reformed Doctrine knows there is no man who could save, and Reformed Doctrine summarizes Scripture by teaching that man’s natural condition is “Total Depravity”. 

“¹⁰ as it is written,

Reformed Doctrine knows that only God can save.  God is the One and Only Victorious Warrior.

“¹⁶ And He saw that there was no man,
And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;
Then His own arm brought salvation to Him,
And His righteousness upheld Him.
¹⁷ He put on righteousness like a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing
And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.
¹⁸ According to their deeds, so He will repay,
Wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies;
To the coastlands He will make recompense.
¹⁹ So they will fear the name of the Lord from the west
And His glory from the rising of the sun,
For He will come like a rushing stream
Which the wind of the Lord drives.
²⁰ “A Redeemer will come to Zion,
And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the Lord.”  Isaiah 59:16-20.

“The Lord your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior.
He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”  Zephaniah 3:17.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 21.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+21&version=NASB

I quote only the following verse.

“A ruin, a ruin, a ruin, I will make it.  This also will be no more until He comes whose right it is, and I will give it to Him.’”  Ezekiel 21:27.

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Today’s Scripture, as scary as it is to read the Parable of the Sharpened and Polished Sword of the LORD, does contain the hope that total dominion will be given to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  “A ruin, a ruin, a ruin, I will make it.  This also will be no more until He comes whose right it is, and I will give it to Him.”  Verse 27.

Other doctrine bows down to man’s alleged free-will.

But, Reformed Doctrine bows down to the LORD’s sovereignty and absolute dominion over all.

Other doctrine cries out:  “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!”  Psalm 2:3.

But, Reformed Doctrine knows that the LORD does not loosen His grip one bit. 

“⁴ He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
⁵ Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
⁶ “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”  Psalm 2:4-6.

“The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
² The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying,
“Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
³ Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power;
In holy array, from the womb of the dawn,
Your youth are to You as the dew.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 20.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+20&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “On the day when I chose Israel and swore to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, I am the Lord your God, on that day I swore to them, to bring them out from the land of Egypt into a land that I had selected for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.  I said to them, ‘Cast away, each of you, the detestable things of his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt;  I am the Lord your God.’  But they rebelled against Me and were not willing to listen to Me;  they did not cast away the detestable things of their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt.

Then I resolved to pour out My wrath on them, to accomplish My anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.  But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made Myself known to them by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.”  Ezekiel 20:5-9.

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The sad, repetitive history of Israel is described by the LORD in today’s Scripture.  The LORD uses similar language for similar time periods.  Israel rebelled against the LORD and served idols.  The LORD resolved to pour out His wrath on them.  But, the LORD acted for the sake of His name (and spared Israel rather than annihilating them) so that His name would not be profaned in the sight of the nations. 

Nevertheless, other doctrine, following its wishes and man-centered view, leads its disciples to believe that the LORD acts for our sake.

But, Reformed Doctrine, following Scripture and its God-centered view, leads its disciples to believe that the LORD acts for the sake of His name.  

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.  I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst.  Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,” declares the Lord God, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.”  Ezekiel 36:22-23.

“Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and your abominations.  I am not doing this for your sake,” declares the Lord God, “let it be known to you.  Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel!”  Ezekiel 36:31-32.

“He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.”  Psalm 23:3.

“For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.”  Psalm 25:11.

“For You are my rock and my fortress;
For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.”  Psalm 31:3.

“Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name;
And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake.”  Psalm 79:9.

“⁷ Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders;
They did not remember Your abundant kindnesses,
But rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.
⁸ Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name,
That He might make His power known.”  Psalm 106:7-8.

“But You, O God, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name’s sake;
Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me;”  Psalm 109:21.

“For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive me.
In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.”  Psalm 143:11.

“⁸ “You have not heard, you have not known.
Even from long ago your ear has not been open,
Because I knew that you would deal very treacherously;
And you have been called a rebel from birth.
⁹ “For the sake of My name I delay My wrath,
And for My praise I restrain it for you,
In order not to cut you off.
¹⁰ “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
¹¹ “For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act;
For how can My name be profaned?
And My glory I will not give to another.”  Isaiah 48:8-11.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 19.

“As for you, take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel ² and say,

This is a lamentation, and has become a lamentation.”   Ezekiel chapter 19.

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Other doctrine trusts in man’s works, man’s wisdom, and man’s will for salvation, security, and success.

But, Reformed Doctrine trusts in God alone for salvation, security, and success.

“³ Do not trust in princes,
In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.
⁴ His spirit departs, he returns to the earth;
In that very day his thoughts perish.
⁵ How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
⁶ Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;
⁷ Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 18.  Here is a link to this chapter –   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+18&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“The person who sins will die.  The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity;  the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.

…

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” declares the Lord God.  “Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you.  Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!  For why will you die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.”  Ezekiel 18:  Verses 20 and 30-32.

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God shows His justice by judging each individual according to his conduct rather than including in the judgment the sins of the father or the son.  “…  The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity;  …”  Verse 20.

But, this verse makes us think of God’s mercy in delivering His Son, Jesus Christ, to bear the sins of many.  “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”  Hebrews 9:27-28.

God shows His justice by calling all to repentance.  “…  “Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you.  Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!  For why will you die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God.  “Therefore, repent and live.”  Verses 30-32. 

But, these verses also make us think of God’s mercy in also giving many a new heart and a new spirit.  “And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them.  And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them.  Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.”  Ezekiel 11:19-20.

Other doctrine focuses on man and what man should do.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on God and what God has done. 

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 17.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+17&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Thus says the Lord God, “I will also take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and set it out;  I will pluck from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.  On the high mountain of Israel I will plant it, that it may bring forth boughs and bear fruit and become a stately cedar.  And birds of every kind will nest under it;  they will nest in the shade of its branches.  All the trees of the field will know that I am the Lord;  I bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.  I am the Lord;  I have spoken, and I will perform it.”  Ezekiel 17:22-24.

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Other doctrine is proud of its works, wisdom, and will.

But, Reformed Doctrine is humble knowing the sovereign LORD and its utter dependence on the LORD Who brings low and also exalts and Who declared “I am the Lord;  I have spoken, and I will perform it.”  Verse 24. 

“³ “Boast no more so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the Lord is a God of knowledge,
And with Him actions are weighed.
⁴ “The bows of the mighty are shattered,
But the feeble gird on strength.
⁵ “Those who were full hire themselves out for bread,
But those who were hungry cease to hunger.
Even the barren gives birth to seven,
But she who has many children languishes.
⁶ “The Lord kills and makes alive;
He brings down to Sheol and raises up.
⁷ “The Lord makes poor and rich;
He brings low, He also exalts.
⁸ “He raises the poor from the dust,
He lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with nobles,
And inherit a seat of honor;
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
And He set the world on them.
⁹ “He keeps the feet of His godly ones,
But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness;
For not by might shall a man prevail.
¹⁰ “Those who contend with the Lord will be shattered;
Against them He will thunder in the heavens,
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
And He will give strength to His king,
And will exalt the horn of His anointed.”  1 Samuel 2:3-10. 

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 16.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+16&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God to Jerusalem, “Your origin and your birth are from the land of the Canaanite, your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.  As for your birth, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water for cleansing;  you were not rubbed with salt or even wrapped in cloths.  No eye looked with pity on you to do any of these things for you, to have compassion on you.  Rather you were thrown out into the open field, for you were abhorred on the day you were born.

“When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, ‘Live!’  Yes, I said to you while you were in your blood, ‘Live!’  I made you numerous like plants of the field.  Then you grew up, became tall and reached the age for fine ornaments;  your breasts were formed and your hair had grown.  Yet you were naked and bare.

“Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love;  so I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness.  I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine,” declares the Lord God.  “Then I bathed you with water, washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil.  I also clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of porpoise skin on your feet;  and I wrapped you with fine linen and covered you with silk.  I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your hands and a necklace around your neck.  I also put a ring in your nostril, earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head.  Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your dress was of fine linen, silk and embroidered cloth.  You ate fine flour, honey and oil;  so you were exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty.  Then your fame went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendor which I bestowed on you,” declares the Lord God.

“But you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot because of your fame, and you poured out your harlotries on every passer-by who might be willing.”  

…

Thus I will judge you like women who commit adultery or shed blood are judged;  and I will bring on you the blood of wrath and jealousy.  I will also give you into the hands of your lovers, and they will tear down your shrines, demolish your high places, strip you of your clothing, take away your jewels, and will leave you naked and bare.  They will incite a crowd against you and they will stone you and cut you to pieces with their swords.  They will burn your houses with fire and execute judgments on you in the sight of many women.  Then I will stop you from playing the harlot, and you will also no longer pay your lovers.  So I will calm My fury against you and My jealousy will depart from you, and I will be pacified and angry no more.  Because you have not remembered the days of your youth but have enraged Me by all these things, behold, I in turn will bring your conduct down on your own head,” declares the Lord God, “so that you will not commit this lewdness on top of all your other abominations.

…

“Nevertheless, I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.  Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, both your older and your younger;  and I will give them to you as daughters, but not because of your covenant.  Thus I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord, so that you may remember and be ashamed and never open your mouth anymore because of your humiliation, when I have forgiven you for all that you have done,” the Lord God declares.”  Ezekiel 16:1-15 and 38-43 and 60-63.

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In this vivid figurative history of Israel summarized in one chapter, we are shocked by both Israel’s faithlessness and God’s faithfulness.

We think of the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation a/k/a Five Points of Calvinism a/k/a TULIP. 

We see God’s grace toward Israel described so richly in verses 1-14 (making us think of “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of TULIP) , Israel’s response of harlotry in verses 15-34 (making us think of “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”), God’s punishment of Israel in verses 35-43, and a summary of God’s grace alone to “establish an everlasting covenant” with Israel in verses 60-63 (making us think of the unconditional nature of the covenant).   

Other doctrine teaches that God’s covenant is a bilateral agreement made and maintained by two parties and bases man’s performance of his part of the covenant on duty and thankfulness.

But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that God’s covenant is an unilateral action made and maintained by God alone.  To God alone be the glory!

“…  He takes away the first in order to establish the second.  By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;  but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.  For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.  And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us;  for after saying,

He then says,

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.”  Hebrews 10:9-18.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 15.

“Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than any wood of a branch which is among the trees of the forest?  Can wood be taken from it to make anything, or can men take a peg from it on which to hang any vessel?  If it has been put into the fire for fuel, and the fire has consumed both of its ends and its middle part has been charred, is it then useful for anything?  Behold, while it is intact, it is not made into anything.  How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it still be made into anything!  Therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘As the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem;  and I set My face against them.  Though they have come out of the fire, yet the fire will consume them.  Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I set My face against them.  Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,’” declares the Lord God.”  Ezekiel chapter 15.

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In today’s Scripture, the LORD compared Jerusalem to a useless vine. 

But, there is hope!

The LORD would provide a Savior, Jesus Christ, Who would be called “the true vine”.

Jerusalem may have been like a useless vine which could not provide even as little wood as a peg on which to hang anything , but Jesus would be “the true vine” on which the wood of His cross would hold the sins of the world.

Jerusalem may have been like charred dead wood, but Jesus would be a green living “true vine” which would provide life to all of His branches and which would cause all of His branches to bear much fruit.  

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away;  and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.  You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches;  he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”  John 15:1-5.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 14.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+14&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then some elders of Israel came to me and sat down before me.  And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity.  Should I be consulted by them at all?  Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Any man of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will be brought to give him an answer in the matter in view of the multitude of his idols, in order to lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel who are estranged from Me through all their idols.”’

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Repent and turn away from your idols and turn your faces away from all your abominations.  For anyone of the house of Israel or of the immigrants who stay in Israel who separates himself from Me, sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet to inquire of Me for himself, I the Lord will be brought to answer him in My own person.  I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from among My people.  So you will know that I am the Lord.”  Ezekiel 14:1-8.

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Today’s Scripture states clearly and repeatedly that there can be idols in the heart.

Idols are not only made out of wood or stone formed by human hands which stand outside of us.  Idols can be made out of mental images formed by the mind which stand inside our hearts.

When we have formed mental images of a god based on the desires in our heart, other than based on the one true God revealed by Scripture, we have set up an idol in our heart.

“The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9.

“2 Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth;
For the Lord speaks,
“Sons I have reared and brought up,
But they have revolted against Me.
3 “An ox knows its owner,
And a donkey its master’s manger,
But Israel does not know,
My people do not understand.”

4 Alas, sinful nation,
People weighed down with iniquity,
Offspring of evildoers,
Sons who act corruptly!
They have abandoned the Lord,
They have despised the Holy One of Israel,
They have turned away from Him.”  Isaiah 1:2-4.

We should not be lazy and trust our own heart to form a mental image of God based on our desires or based on worldly culture or even based on only elders’ speculations as today’s Scripture also teaches.  
 
Instead, we should diligently study Scripture and ultimately trust Scripture alone to reveal Whom the one true God is.

“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”  Acts 17:11.

“So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord.
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth.”  Hosea 6:3.

“My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord
And discover the knowledge of God.”  Proverbs 2:1-5.