When Ideology becomes Idolatry

Praying through the book of Jeremiah chapter 10

Mar 09, 2026

Hey friends,

I’m back with the next chapter and podcast in our journey of prayer through the book of Jeremiah!

This chapter hits hard: it exposes how easily we replace the true God with idols of our own making.

Below I share a short recap, but there’s so much more! I include links to the video and audio versions at the end of the newsletter.

Back then, people carved wooden and stone gods, decorated them, nailed them upright... and then worshiped something helpless, like a scarecrow in a field (Jeremiah 10:3-5 NLT). They carried their “gods” around because those idols couldn’t walk or speak—yet they bowed down anyway.

Sound familiar? Today, our idols often look like ideologies. Notice “idol” hiding in “ideology”? We cherry-pick what we like from Scripture:

- Don’t like God’s view on sin? Black it out.

- Uncomfortable with biblical marriage? Carve it away.

- Prefer a feel-good faith without repentance? Scratch that part.

We reshape God into our image: someone who thinks like us, approves our choices, and never brings conviction of sin. When we step away, we realize the idol we are creating looks a lot like... ourselves. Yikes!

I’ve been there. I once argued fiercely against biblical teachings—defending sex outside marriage, embracing reincarnation, building my own “religion” to excuse selfishness. I hunted for confirming sources, ignored the rest. Deception is easy to find.

Thankfully, God broke through!

No ideology, no self-made belief can change who God truly is. Reality doesn’t bend to our wishes. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). It humbles us, drives us to Him, and makes us wise.

Jeremiah ends chapter 10 with a humble prayer, the key to breaking free:

“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. O LORD, correct me, but with justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.” (Jeremiah 10:23)

We can’t direct our own paths. We need God to direct us. When we approach Him with humility, an open heart, and a teachable spirit, we will receive the wisdom we are seeking. (Proverbs 2:3-6).

When we’re contrite and open, God molds us like soft clay into His design. Our souls then soar in His presence.