Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone, Revised and Updated

Product Description Do you feel discouraged, even defeated, in your battle against habitual sin? Are you dismayed or surprised by the situations that bring out your fear, anger, or distress? Elyse Fitzpatrick delves into the heart of the problem: deep down, we're all idol-worshippers who put our loves, desires, and expectations in God's place—and then suffer the consequences of our misplaced affections. Yet God loves his people and can use even our messy lives and struggles for his glory. Fitzpatrick shows us how to better search and know our hearts, long for our gracious Savior, and resist and crush our false gods. Includes questions for further thought. Revised edition. Review "The first and greatest commandment says that our relationship with God is a 'heart, soul, mind, and might' matter. God-substitutes, both tangible and figurative, are similarly matters of heart, soul, mind, and might. Such 'false gods' generate the garden-variety sins of irritability, self-pity, escapism, and anxiety, as well as the more extreme sins of anger, despair, addictions, and panic." -- David Powlison, Executive Director, The Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation "Elyse Fitzpatrick has a very high view of God, and this book reflects that view. With great clarity and intriguing biblical illustrations, Elyse explains how the idols in our hearts compete with our affections for God. In a gentle way, she tells you how by God's grace to turn from your idols to a wholehearted love for God." -- Martha Peace, Biblical Counselor; Author, The Excellent Wife "Elyse Fitzpatrick is one of the best authors you could read today if you want help to truly love Jesus and recognize the deception of your own sinful heart. . . . I'm thrilled that after fifteen years a second edition of this excellent work is now available. Elyse loves Jesus, she loves grace, and she loves helping people to experience the freedom of truly loving Jesus with all their heart, mind, and soul." -- Brad Bigney, Author, Gospel Treason About the Author Elyse Fitzpatrick (Certificate in Biblical Counseling, CCEF; MA in Biblical Counseling, Trinity Theological Seminary) is a frequent conference speaker and the author of twenty-two books, as well as numerous journal articles and blogs. She and her husband, Philip, have three adult children and six grandchildren. Access her speaking schedule at elysefitzpatrick.com and hear her on her weekly podcast, Front Porch with the Fitzes.