Me vs. Power
There’s been a phrase stirring in my heart this year: Tear down the idols.
Not statues. Not golden calves.
But the everyday battles we face in our desires, decisions, and habits. the things that quietly try to take God’s place in our lives.
One of our middle schoolers said something a few weeks ago that was so honest and so true: “Being a Christian is hard.”
And she’s right. Because every single day, things compete for your trust, your affection, your security, and your focus.
That’s all an idol is: Anything that starts to do the job only God can do.
Maybe it’s the thing you run to after a brutal day:
“I can’t deal right now—so I’m going to ____.”
The gym.
TV.
Food.
Online shopping.
Your phone.
Idols can be good things placed in the wrong position.
A Thing — money, comfort, control
A Person — a partner, boss, influencer, friend
A Habit — staying busy, checking out, escaping
A Desire — approval, power, pleasure
So here’s the question we all have to ask:
When life heats up… where do you go first?
If the honest answer isn’t “Jesus”… it might be an idol.
Not statues. Not golden calves.
But the everyday battles we face in our desires, decisions, and habits. the things that quietly try to take God’s place in our lives.
One of our middle schoolers said something a few weeks ago that was so honest and so true: “Being a Christian is hard.”
And she’s right. Because every single day, things compete for your trust, your affection, your security, and your focus.
That’s all an idol is: Anything that starts to do the job only God can do.
Maybe it’s the thing you run to after a brutal day:
“I can’t deal right now—so I’m going to ____.”
The gym.
TV.
Food.
Online shopping.
Your phone.
Idols can be good things placed in the wrong position.
A Thing — money, comfort, control
A Person — a partner, boss, influencer, friend
A Habit — staying busy, checking out, escaping
A Desire — approval, power, pleasure
So here’s the question we all have to ask:
When life heats up… where do you go first?
If the honest answer isn’t “Jesus”… it might be an idol.
The Battle for Power
In Matthew 4, before Jesus launches His public ministry, He spends 40 days in the wilderness fasting. Satan tempts Him three times, and the final temptation is the one we’re focusing on:
“All the kingdoms of the world… I will give you, if you bow down and worship me.”
— Matthew 4:8–10
Here’s what’s wild:
Satan offered Jesus a shortcut to something He already came for.
And this isn’t a new tactic.
Go back to Genesis:
God already gave Adam and Eve authority.
But the serpent convinced Eve she was missing something.
It’s the same strategy he uses today.
Satan always offers a counterfeit version of something God already promised.
His path to power always involves a shortcut through sin.
And every shortcut disappoints.
“Power” Isn’t Always About Power
Maybe you hear all this and think, “Well… I’m not power hungry.”
But power wears a lot of masks:
Approval: “As long as they like me, I’m okay.”
Image: “I just want to look put together.”
Control: “If I don’t manage everything, everything will fall apart.”
Escape: “If I can numb out, I won’t have to feel this.”
Sometimes power looks like productivity.
Sometimes it looks like peace.
Sometimes it looks like relationships.
Most idols don’t look evil, they look helpful.
Where This Gets Personal
One of the clearest places we see this is in relationships.
Growing up, one of our pastors shared that he tried to protect his little sister from unhealthy relationships. What started as love slowly turned into control.
He said:
“I masked love with control.”
And that’s what idols do… they turn good intentions into harmful actions.
When we chase power, we lose what we wanted most: love.
God’s way is different.
He doesn’t manipulate you.
He doesn’t control you.
He doesn’t force you.
He invites you.
He empowers you.
He loves you.
If you’ve ever hesitated to follow God because you thought He just wants to control you—hear this:
“God is love.” — 1 John 4:8
He doesn’t want robotic obedience.
He wants relationship.
He wants your heart.
He waits for your response.
And even when you reject Him, He keeps loving you.
In Matthew 4, before Jesus launches His public ministry, He spends 40 days in the wilderness fasting. Satan tempts Him three times, and the final temptation is the one we’re focusing on:
“All the kingdoms of the world… I will give you, if you bow down and worship me.”
— Matthew 4:8–10
Here’s what’s wild:
Satan offered Jesus a shortcut to something He already came for.
And this isn’t a new tactic.
Go back to Genesis:
God already gave Adam and Eve authority.
But the serpent convinced Eve she was missing something.
It’s the same strategy he uses today.
Satan always offers a counterfeit version of something God already promised.
His path to power always involves a shortcut through sin.
And every shortcut disappoints.
“Power” Isn’t Always About Power
Maybe you hear all this and think, “Well… I’m not power hungry.”
But power wears a lot of masks:
Approval: “As long as they like me, I’m okay.”
Image: “I just want to look put together.”
Control: “If I don’t manage everything, everything will fall apart.”
Escape: “If I can numb out, I won’t have to feel this.”
Sometimes power looks like productivity.
Sometimes it looks like peace.
Sometimes it looks like relationships.
Most idols don’t look evil, they look helpful.
Where This Gets Personal
One of the clearest places we see this is in relationships.
Growing up, one of our pastors shared that he tried to protect his little sister from unhealthy relationships. What started as love slowly turned into control.
He said:
“I masked love with control.”
And that’s what idols do… they turn good intentions into harmful actions.
When we chase power, we lose what we wanted most: love.
God’s way is different.
He doesn’t manipulate you.
He doesn’t control you.
He doesn’t force you.
He invites you.
He empowers you.
He loves you.
If you’ve ever hesitated to follow God because you thought He just wants to control you—hear this:
“God is love.” — 1 John 4:8
He doesn’t want robotic obedience.
He wants relationship.
He wants your heart.
He waits for your response.
And even when you reject Him, He keeps loving you.
Which Path Will You Choose?
At the end of the day, we all submit to something.
Will it be the enemy, who steals, kills, and destroys?
Who promises shortcuts but delivers bondage?
Or will it be God, whose plans are always good, kind, and full of life?
Jesus chose obedience, even when it hurt.
Even when it cost Him everything.
And because of that, we have freedom today.
So how do we live this out?
Three Ways to Tear Down Idols & Choose God’s Way
1. Worship
Where your worship goes, your heart follows.
2. Serve
“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve…” — Mark 10:45
Serving breaks the grip of selfishness and control.
3. Pray
“Pray about everything…” — Philippians 4:6
Prayer re-centers our lives on Jesus rather than on our own strength.
Let’s Be a Church That Doesn’t Chase Power
Let’s be a people who choose the long road - the road of faith, worship, obedience, and surrender.
No shortcuts.
No idols.
Just Jesus.
Tear them down, and watch the freedom that rises in their place.
At the end of the day, we all submit to something.
Will it be the enemy, who steals, kills, and destroys?
Who promises shortcuts but delivers bondage?
Or will it be God, whose plans are always good, kind, and full of life?
Jesus chose obedience, even when it hurt.
Even when it cost Him everything.
And because of that, we have freedom today.
So how do we live this out?
Three Ways to Tear Down Idols & Choose God’s Way
1. Worship
Where your worship goes, your heart follows.
2. Serve
“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve…” — Mark 10:45
Serving breaks the grip of selfishness and control.
3. Pray
“Pray about everything…” — Philippians 4:6
Prayer re-centers our lives on Jesus rather than on our own strength.
Let’s Be a Church That Doesn’t Chase Power
Let’s be a people who choose the long road - the road of faith, worship, obedience, and surrender.
No shortcuts.
No idols.
Just Jesus.
Tear them down, and watch the freedom that rises in their place.
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