When Idols Take the Throne
Treason & Triumph – Exposing Idols. Embracing Christ • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—we’re truly glad you're here. You're part of our extended spiritual family, and we're thankful for you.
Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them
For the rest of us, grab your Bible, get comfortable, and get ready for what God has for you today. We are continuing today on our journey through our series called—Treason & Triumph: Exposing Idols and Embracing Christ…So let’s dig in together…
Now, for the last few weeks we have been discussing idolatry and the reality of that idolatry in our own lives. Something I’ve said is that most of us think of idols as something ancient, primitive, maybe even silly—like bowing down to statues of wood or stone in far-off temples. But here’s the truth: idols are alive and well today, and they don’t look like golden calves. They look like paychecks, careers, children, sports, phones, beliefs, being right, the approval of others, and even our own comfort.
We’ve talked about how idols are rooted in our hearts, and how our hearts are idol factories continuing to pump out new idols constantly in an effort to keep control of everything that goes on. However, we’ve also talked about the importance of putting God back on the throne of your heart instead of yourself, or whatever your favorite idols are.
I gave us a working definition of an idol from Brad Bigney. An idol is anything or anyone that captures our heart and affection more than God.
Back in 1953 Iran, trusted military leaders and foreign agents quietly conspired to overthrow Prime Minister Mossadegh. While everyone slept, they infiltrated the government, spread lies, and positioned their forces—so that by morning, power had shifted completely, and the coup was complete before most even knew it had begun.
And that’s exactly what happens inside you and me every day. There’s a throne inside your heart — a place where only Christ deserves to sit. But every day, other kings rise up: comfort, control, approval, success, pleasure.
They don’t march in wearing crowns; they sneak in as cravings. They promise joy, but they steal worship. And when they rule, life begins to spin out of control.
Jesus said, ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ Our hearts are not neutral—they are throne rooms.
So today we’re going to ask: Who really rules the throne of my heart?
Because the truth is, the heart isn’t just where you feel — it’s where you rule. Scripture shows us that …
The Heart is the Control Center
The Heart is the Control Center
If you want to know why your life is going the direction it’s going, God tells you where to look — not at your circumstances, but at your heart.
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Solomon doesn’t tell us to guard your health, your money, or your reputation. He says to guard your heart — because everything in your life flows downstream from what rules it. This form of guarding is to protect it from attack no matter where that attack may be coming. Your heart is who you are, the “true you” that directs all your thoughts and emotions.
You see, The heart is not just an emotion. It is literally the thing that is behind everything that you think, feel, or do. That’s why you must guard your heart so passionately . It is increasingly easy for something else to sneak in and take over in the blink of an eye. By guarding your heart you will be able to protect your emotions and your focus from being hijacked.
Listen to what Jesus said about your heart.
But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
All of that is what comes out of the heart when the heart is not adequately guarded and protected. that’s because, Whatever or whoever rules your heart will steer your life.
This is an incredibly important concept to understand. You see, over the last few weeks we have discussed the concept of idolatry and how those idols will control everything that goes on in your life. Frequently you may even find yourself having said something and not really knowing where that came from. When that happens, your heart is showing you what is in control of your heart. Look at what Jesus said about the concept of what is ruling the heart.
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
You see, your action and words come from the heart…whether good or bad.
Now, once you understand that your heart drives your life, you begin to see why the Bible warns us so much about guarding it — because…
The Heart Never Stops Interpreting Life
The Heart Never Stops Interpreting Life
Your heart isn’t passive. It’s a nonstop commentary on your life. It’s always thinking, always interpreting everything that is going on. Look at what Jesus says about the heart here.
… For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
Here’s the deal…We all talk to ourselves in our hearts. And the story you tell yourself shapes your reactions. If that story leaves God out, idols step in.
When you catch yourself saying things that are not edifying to others, or even to yourself, that is an indication that something else has settled into your heart that you need to address. That’s because You’re always interpreting life through the lens of your heart.
When your idol has taken control of the throne of your heart, then you can convince yourself of anything. Look at this passage in Deuteronomy…
Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’
Self-sufficiency has a tendency to turn into pride and forgetfulness in the environment of our sinful natures. This is what will happen when your heart has been taken over by something, or someone other than God. Everything is seen through the lens of your idolatry.
In other words, When God isn’t central, idols rewrite the story.
However, that isn’t what has to happen. You see, your heart is constantly processing life and everything that is happening both to and around you. What woudl happen if you were to speak truth into your heart? What would happen if Scripture were injected into your heart on a regular basis? King David wrote about that exact concept. Look at what David wrote in
O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart…
The desire of God’s people is to be in the presence of the Lord. Here David asks who is able to be in the presence of the Lord. The response is the one who speaks truth in his heart. The one who is injecting truth and who has placed God on the throne of their heart is the one who is able to dwell in the presence of the Lord.
The problem is that we don’t always do that do we? That’s why we’re looking at this series, because this is where you want to be, yet so frequently you are unable to figure out how to get there. That’s because we will think we are in control and we will allow an idol to slip in and before we realize what is going on, something else has taken over the throne of your heart.
But it doesn’t stop there. Because whatever your heart keeps thinking about, your emotions begin to feed on. You see, feelings are the fruit of our hidden thoughts.
Your Feelings Feed on Your Thinking
Your Feelings Feed on Your Thinking
We just saw that your heart is constantly interpreting life. But those interpretations don’t stay in your head — they start to shape how you feel.
Feelings don’t just appear out of nowhere. They’re the emotional echo of what your heart believes.
Even the psalmist knew that emotions don’t just happen — they follow what the heart believes.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation
David isn’t being dramatic — he’s being honest. He asks his heart a question: ‘Why are you so downcast?’ And then he answers himself: ‘Put your hope in God.’
That’s the language of self-counsel. David is showing us how to preach truth to your emotions. When your hope is in God, your feelings follow your faith. When your hope shifts to idols, your emotions spiral.
When your thinking is rooted in truth, your emotions find stability. When it’s ruled by idols, your emotions go wild — fear, anger, despair, pride.
So what does that tell you about your feelings? Well, it’s very simple…Your feelings reveal what your heart treasures or fears. Paul gives us the same principle in the New Testament — your mind is the gatekeeper of your emotions.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
When your thoughts are fixed on what’s true, honorable, and pure, your heart begins to align with God’s truth — and that’s when you experience His peace.
But when your thoughts revolve around what you want, what you fear, or what you think you deserve, you hand the throne of your heart to an idol. And that idol starts driving your emotions.
James shows us where this path leads if we don’t guard our thinking.
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire...
Notice — James doesn’t blame Satan, culture, or circumstances. He says each person is tempted by his own desire.
Desire itself isn’t evil — but when a desire becomes a demand, it gives birth to sin. When you’re willing to sin to get what you want or sin because you didn’t get it — that’s idolatry. That’s when feelings become rulers instead of servants. You see, When desires become demands, feelings turn into rulers.
So, what we feel flows from what we think — and what we think flows from what we worship.
That means your emotions are not your enemies — they’re your messengers. They’re telling you who or what is ruling your heart.
And once those thoughts and feelings start working together, your actions naturally follow — and that’s where we’re headed next.
Your Actions Reveal the Direction of Your Heart
Your Actions Reveal the Direction of Your Heart
When Jesus met people, He often put His finger right on the one thing they loved more than Him. For the rich young ruler, that one thing was his wealth. He came to Jesus asking the right question — ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ — but when Jesus exposed his heart, the truth came out. Let’s listen to that moment again.
And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’ ” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.
The man walked away sad — not because Jesus asked for too much, but because his idol had already taken the throne. He couldn’t serve two masters. His actions revealed the direction of his heart.
Our behavior always points to our beliefs. What we do is a window into what we worship.
You see, your heart is like a compass — it always points toward what it treasures most. And your actions, your choices, your reactions — those are the visible arrows showing where that compass is pointing.
Jesus said in
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Every action in our lives — every decision, every pattern of sin or obedience — is ultimately an act of worship. We are either serving King Jesus, or we’re bowing to some rival ruler in our hearts.
You see, Actions Are the Visible Proof of What You Worship.
You can say you love Jesus, you can sing all the right songs, but your actions will always tell the truth.
Let me just point this out to you real quick…
If you find yourself constantly angry when you don’t get your way — that might reveal an idol of control.
If you’re crushed when someone criticizes you — maybe your idol is approval.
If you compromise truth to gain more — perhaps it’s success or comfort that’s sitting on the throne of your heart.
Our actions are not random. They are reflections of our heart’s loyalties.
Brad Bigney puts it this way in Gospel Treason:
“Our actions are the visible symptoms of an invisible disease — misplaced worship.”
That’s the real issue — not just what we do, but why we do it. When our hearts are captured by something other than Christ, our lives begin to follow that false master.
I’ve said this before, but let me remind you now, Idols Promise Freedom but End in Slavery.
Every idol whispers the same lie: “Serve me, and I’ll make you happy.” But every idol ends up being a cruel master.
Paul says in Romans 6:16
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
The rich young ruler thought he owned his wealth — but in reality, his wealth owned him.
He thought he had freedom, but his freedom was a facade. He was bound by the very thing he loved most.
That’s how sin and idolatry always work. They promise satisfaction but deliver slavery. They promise joy but leave us empty. They promise control but end in chaos.
So ask yourself: What do I fear losing most? What makes me most anxious? What am I willing to sin to get, or sin if I don’t get? Those questions will reveal your idols.
So where does that leave you? If your heart has committed treason against the King — if you’ve bowed to comfort, control, approval, or success — how can you ever return to triumph?
Here’s the hope of the gospel — God doesn’t just expose your heart; He replaces it. He doesn’t just convict you of misplaced worship; He transforms your desires. He gives you new desires— new affections that love what He loves.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Jesus died not only to forgive your sins but to reclaim your heart. The only cure for treason is a new King — and the only King who can change your heart is Christ Himself.
So how do you return? By repentance and faith. By turning from the idols that have stolen your worship and turning to the King who gave His life to make you new.
And when you come — weary, guilty, ashamed — He doesn’t turn you away. He welcomes you. He restores you. He puts His Spirit within you and teaches your heart to beat for Him again.
So let me ask you right now: Who’s ruling your heart today? Is it comfort? Control? Approval? Success?
Folks, I want you to know, this isn’t a message of condemnation — it’s a message of hope. The King who exposes your heart is the same King who died to give you a new one.
The true King is calling you back to the throne room. Let Him sit where He belongs. Lay down your idols at His feet, and watch Him turn your treason into triumph.
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
Let’s pray…
