Here are some questions to identify idols.
Work through them with prayer and an open Bible. I found them very challenging. They will hurt… but they will help.
Worries— What do I worry about most?
Fear — What, if I failed or lost it, would cause me to feel that I did not even want to live?
What – if you lost it – would make you want to die?
Comforts — What do I use to comfort myself when things go bad or get difficult? Release Valves – What do I do to cope? What are my release valves? What do I do to feel better?
Daydreams– Look inside your imagination. What do you habitually think about to get joy and comfort in the privacy of your heart? What preoccupies me? What do I daydream about?
Identity— What do I lead with in conversations? Early on what do I want to make sure that people know about me? How do I explain myself to other people? What do I brag about?
Money— Look at your spending habits. Where your treasure is there your heart is. When and where do I overspend? What am I always thinking about buying?
Defenses — What do you defend? What area of your life will not allow questions in?
Complaints— What do I complain about the most? What has caused me to be angry with God? What has caused me to doubt? What makes me want to chuck it all in?
Emotions — Look at your uncontrollable emotions. Look for your idols at the bottom of your most painful emotions.
When emotion is so strong that it drives you to do and say things that you know are wrong –
You are hitting an idol.
Ask Yourself…
1. Am I willing to sin to get this?
2. Am I willing to sin if I think I’m going to lose this?
(These are adapted from the book Tim Keller and an article by David Powlison)