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Smashing Idols: Why Today's Church Leaders Must Still Fight the Same Old Battle

Be Troubled By Your Own Idols

Acts 17 tells the story of Paul in Athens and how his spirit was “troubled within him when he saw that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16). It is a fascinating passage that we often miss. Are our spirits troubled within us because of the idols of our culture?

I’m not referring only to the idols “out there.” This isn’t just about our neighbors’ idols. We must recognize that we’re all drawn to some of those idols. And the people in our churches are all drawn to those idols, as well.

Seeing people trapped in idolatry should inspire compassion for their souls, as they are trapped in foolishness. But it also should spark detest for anything that would set itself up against the one true God.

Pastors, Preach Against Idols

Idols don’t leave on their own. In the power of the gospel, we have to tear them down—to destroy them. We need to remove them from our lives and depart from them. Pastors need to identify and preach against idols.

As our love for God increases, our tolerance for idolatry will decrease.

What are some of the great idols of our broader culture? What are some of the idols in the church culture? And what specific idols are built in the context of ministry leadership?  

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Ed Stetzer, Ph.D., is the Dean of Talbot School of Theology at Biola Univeristy and Scholar in Residence & Teaching Pastor at Mariners Church. He has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; earned two master’s degrees and two doctorates; and has written hundreds of articles and a dozen books. He is Regional Director for Lausanne North America, is the Editor-in-Chief of Outreach Magazine, and regularly writes for news outlets such as USA Today and CNN. Dr. Stetzer is the host of "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast," and his national radio show, "Ed Stetzer Live," airs Saturdays on Moody Radio and affiliates.