How does Ezekiel 14:6 call us to repent and turn from idols today? Hearing Ezekiel’s Voice Today “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Repent! Turn from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations.’” (Ezekiel 14:6) Ezekiel 14:6 in Its Setting • Judah’s elders sat before Ezekiel while secretly clutching idols in their hearts. • God exposed the hidden sin and issued a direct, unmistakable command. • The call was not merely to feel sorry, but to change direction entirely. One Command, Three Actions 1. Repent! – a decisive change of mind and allegiance. 2. Turn from your idols – abandon whatever competes with God’s rightful place. 3. Turn your faces away – refuse even a glance toward former abominations. What Are Idols in Our Lives? • Anything we trust for security or identity more than the Lord (Psalm 115:4-11). • Modern faces of idolatry include: – Materialism (Matthew 6:24) – Entertainment and technology (Psalm 101:3) – Relationships elevated above obedience (Luke 14:26) – Self-reliance and personal success (Jeremiah 17:5) • Even good gifts become idols when they dethrone God (Colossians 3:5). Practical Steps to Repentance • Examine the heart under Scripture’s light (Hebrews 4:12). • Confess specific idols by name (1 John 1:9). • Remove access points—apps, subscriptions, spaces—that feed the idolatry. • Replace them with practices that fix the gaze on Christ: – Daily Bible intake (Psalm 119:11) – Worship and fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25) – Service to others (Galatians 5:13). • Persist; repentance is both momentary and ongoing (Luke 9:23). Fruits of Turning Away • Restored intimacy with God (James 4:8). • Clearer spiritual discernment (Psalm 32:8-9). • Freedom from enslaving habits (John 8:36). • A witness that draws others to abandon their idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Strength for the Journey • God supplies grace to obey what He commands (Philippians 2:13). • The indwelling Spirit empowers continual turning (Ezekiel 36:26-27). • Every lesser god disappoints; the Lord alone satisfies now and forever (Psalm 16:11). |
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