Ezekiel14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;
THE SHRINE IN YOUR HEART
I was discussing marriage with a woman who has grown up daughters eligible for marriage. I spoke to her about allowing God's will to be done in matters of marriage. She told me that whatever God will do, he should only lead her children to people of same tribe. In her heart, she believe that you can't find genuine believers from other tribes except hers. Her stance is so rigid and she believe God won't go against her will. I have met some believers with this incorrect mentality.
The moment you get to the point where you hold on to an opinion or stance that God cannot change, you already have an idol in your heart. Some folks already have an unbiblical preconceived idea on how God can lead and how he cannot. A young minister about starting ministry may have heard that you have to start ministry in certain cities before you breakthrough in ministry. Hence, when he prays, he'll hear himself and pack his loads to a city he's not sent. God may need him in suburb or rural area but when he thinks about the suffering and what he heard from some persons about how success in ministry is only achievable in fixed locations, he'll lead himself.
When you have an idol in your heart, you'll always be led according to the idol in your heart. The man that want to walk in God's will must demolish the shrines in his heart. What are the idols you've set up in your heart against God's will? Sometimes, we suffer needlessly because we want things done our own way and when the suffering comes, we'll run to God thinking he can perform a magic. It is only what God ordains he will maintain. It is only what he commission he makes provisions for. Demolish the shrines and break all the idols in your heart today.
Father, I surrender all to you. I break the idols and demolish the shrines I've set up in my heart in Jesus name.