When preaching on idols a couple of Sundays ago, I made reference to my friend Darrin Patrick’s differentiation between surface idols and source idols. The following is taken from Patrick’s book Church Planter, pages 164-167. Patrick acknowledges his indebtedness in this area to thinkers like Tim Keller, Dick Kaufman, Dick Keyes, and Jack Miller.
The IDOL of COMFORT
(Privacy, lack of stress, freedom)
Price we will pay- Reduced productivity
Greatest nightmare- Stress, demands
Others often feel- Hurt
Problem emotion – Boredom
The IDOL of APPROVAL
(Affirmation, love, relationships)
Price we will pay- Less independence
Greatest Nightmare- Rejection
Others often feel- Smothered
Problem emotion- Cowardice
The IDOL of CONTROL
(Self -discipline, certainty, standards)
Price we will pay- Loneliness; spontaneity
Greatest nightmare- Uncertainty
Others often feel- Condemned
Problem emotion- Worry
The IDOL of POWER
(Success, winning, influence)
Price we will pay- Burdened; responsibility
Greatest Nightmare- Humiliation
Others often feel- Used
Problem emotion- Anger
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