God Will Not Cohabit With Idols

“When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images and detestable idols. And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those who long for vile images and detestable idols, I will repay them fully for their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” [Ezekiel 11.18-21]

Everyone wants singleness of heart and a new spirit within themselves. Who is opposed to getting rid of a stony heart and receiving a tender, responsive heart?

Ezekiel's words reveal the simple truth about being right with God: get rid of idols. The passage above starts our by saying, "removing every trace of their vile images and detestable idols..." While many would like to just add God to their portfolio, God says, I will not cohabit with idols!

God will not cohabit with idols.

For those who say, "God uses debt, insurance, medicine or technology..." or the likes, may it be said one more time, God will not cohabit with idols. If you want to use any of these things to accomplish what God said He would do, then do what you will, but don't blend God into your idolatry! God has firmly established His opinion about "mixed" things:

You must obey all my decrees. “Do not mate two different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two different kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven from two different kinds of thread. [Leviticus 19.19]

This might be explored a little further... If God will not cohabit with idols, then it is correct to say that God will not come in and drive idols out. In other words, God will not come in and displace idolatry from our lives. We must clean house before God will enter.

This is precisely why Jesus said a person must take up his cross and follow Him. Every connection to anything but Jesus must die. Full submission is the order of the day for salvation. A broken heart and a contrite spirit is what God "will not deny." Repentance is a 180 degree turn away from sin - not a slight correction. Any "trace" of idolatry, including self-sufficiency, must be forsaken if the King of Glory is to inhabit a "believer." One cannot simply "make room for God" among his idols.

Jesus was unapologetic in His demands:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. [Matthew 16.24-25]

This is not a new idea either:

You must not have any other god but me. [Exodus 20.3]

 So, while "life happens," unadulterated singular faith in God does not. God will not cohabit with idols.

God will not cohabit with idols.

Father, may my faith be singular and pure. May I proactively rid myself of idols and idolatrous thinking. May I not just make room for You among my idols. May there be no mixing of my faith. You are my God and I want to look to You alone. So be it.