Devotionals by Dr. Michael Youssef

October 24, 2026

Do You Have Idols? 

By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.

The Thessalonians had been idol worshipers—but they had made a 180-degree turnabout. They had broken away from idols and now served the one true God. Not only did they serve God, but they patiently awaited the return of His Son, the risen Lord Jesus.

Here we see the three great evidences of faith: (1) You turn. (2) You serve. (3) You wait for Jesus’ return.

You might say, “But Michael, I don’t worship idols. I’ve never bowed down to an idol in my life. This passage doesn’t apply to me.”

Please understand, an idol is not merely a little god fashioned out of tin or stone. An idol is anything—or anyone—that occupies our attention, our finances, and our time. An idol is anything or anyone that controls us. An idol is anything that takes the place in our lives where God belongs. Our idols today might be selfish ambitions, the accumulation of wealth and power, an infatuation with another person, an addiction to a substance or a behavior, or an obsession with pleasure and fun.

Many of us who claim Jesus as Lord and Savior would have to admit that these are idols in our lives. By the grace of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we need to declare that we hereby turn away from these idols, and we turn to the living God.

The Bible repeatedly contrasts idol worship versus faithfulness to God. Idols are dead; God is alive. Idols are false; God is the Truth. Idols are many; God is one. Idols are visible and earthly; God is invisible and heavenly. Idols are powerless; God is all-powerful. He is the Creator of the universe and the Creator of all humanity.

You cannot claim to have turned from idols to the living God if you’re still serving the false idols of your selfish ambitions, your greed and lusts, your habits and addictions, your obsessions and unhealthy relationships. Turn to Christ, and he will set you free from slavery to sin so that you can fully and freely serve the living God.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for setting up idols in Your place. Reveal them to me so that I may repent and turn away from them and to You. May I joyfully serve Your Kingdom as I await the return of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

“With whom will you compare me or count me equal? . . . Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me” (Isaiah 46:5a, 9). 

*Excerpt adapted from Fearless Living in Troubled Times by Michael A. Youssef © 2017. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR. Used by permission.

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon series Until Christ Returns: LISTEN NOW 

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