Gods at War
Text: Proverbs 27:19

       

 

Introduction:
There is a spiritual war being fought for our hearts. As Kyle Idleman wrote in Gods at War, idols today are not statues of stone but desires, pursuits, and loyalties that compete with God. “As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man” (Proverbs 27:19). Who or what truly rules your heart?

 

The Gods of Pleasure
The gods of pleasure whisper promises of satisfaction—entertainment, indulgence, and escape. Stadiums, theaters, and screens have become modern temples of worship. Money, time, and devotion are sacrificed at their altars. Sports, movies, social media, and even food can become idols when they take God’s rightful place. Paul reminds us, “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Solomon tried every pleasure and concluded, “This also was vanity” (Ecclesiastes 2:1). The question remains—are your pleasures drawing you nearer to God or further from Him?

 

The Gods of Power
The god of success feeds human pride, convincing us that worth is measured by titles, wealth, or influence. The rich young ruler believed he could earn eternal life by achievement, yet went away sorrowful (Luke 18:18–23). Real success is hearing the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 16:26).

The god of money tempts many to find security in wealth. Jesus warned against greed: “Take heed and beware of covetousness” (Luke 12:15). Of His thirty-eight parables, sixteen deal with money. Scripture reminds us, “As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return” (Ecclesiastes 5:15). Earthly riches cannot buy eternal life. We must ask—do our ambitions serve God, or do they serve gold?

 

The Gods of Love
Perhaps the most subtle idol is self. The god of “me” thrives on pride, defensiveness, and resistance to authority. Many cannot admit wrong, because self sits on the throne. God spoke against this spirit: “Your heart is lifted up, and you say, ‘I am a god’… yet you are a man, and not a god” (Ezekiel 28:2). When self becomes supreme, we lose humility, gratitude, and dependence on the Lord. True peace is found only when self is crucified and Christ reigns within (Galatians 2:20).

 

Conclusion:
God commanded, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:2–3). He does not accept partial devotion—He demands total allegiance. Joshua declared, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Every heart must make that same choice today. The war of gods still rages, but victory belongs to those who let Jehovah reign.

 

 

Gods at War Sermon Outline:

• Text: Proverbs 27:19

 

• Theme: The idols of pleasure, power, and pride compete for our hearts; only God deserves the throne.

 

• I. The Gods of Pleasure

  • Entertainment, indulgence, and distraction (1 Corinthians 10:31; Ecclesiastes 2:1).

  • Ask: Does this pleasure bring me closer to God?

   

• II. The Gods of Power

  • Success and wealth as false measures of worth (Luke 18:18; Matthew 16:26; Luke 12:15).

  • Money as false security; earthly gains cannot save (Ecclesiastes 5:15).

   

• III. The Gods of Love

  • Self as an idol—arrogance, defensiveness, pride (Ezekiel 28:2; Galatians 2:20).

  • True humility restores peace and submission to God.

   

• IV. The Call to Choose

  • God demands exclusive devotion (Exodus 20:2–3).

  • Joshua’s challenge remains: “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

   

Call to Action:
Search your heart and destroy every rival god. Do not let pleasure, power, or pride take God’s place. Turn from self-reliance to complete dependence on Christ. Make the Lord your only God today and live with a heart fully devoted to Him.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Idolatry is any loyalty or love that competes with God (Exodus 20:3).

• Pleasure without purpose becomes vanity (Ecclesiastes 2:1).

• Success without surrender leads to loss (Matthew 16:26).

• Self on the throne cannot coexist with Christ (Ezekiel 28:2).

• The only safe heart is one ruled by God (Proverbs 27:19).

 

Scripture Reference List:

• Proverbs 27:19 – The heart reveals the person.

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 – Do all to God’s glory.

• Ecclesiastes 2:1; 1:4–8 – Pleasures are vanity.

• Luke 18:18–23 – The rich young ruler.

• Matthew 16:26 – True success defined.

• Luke 12:15 – Warning against greed.

• Ecclesiastes 5:15 – We leave this world empty-handed.

• Ezekiel 28:2 – The pride of self-deification.

• Galatians 2:20 – Crucified with Christ.

• Exodus 20:2–3 – No other gods before Me.

• Joshua 24:14–15 – Choose whom you will serve.

 

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

 

January 4, 2015