Idleman, Kyle. Gods at War: Defeating the Idols That Battle for Your Heart. Zondervan, 2013. 

Pages: 240

Point: Our hearts are constantly making other people, things, dreams, sensations, and ideas into the gods of our lives. These gods cannot simply be removed, they must be replaced. 

Path: Idleman begins by explaining THE issue, idolatry. It was what the ancient Israelites dealt with it. It is what we deal with today. He then demonstrates how pleasure, power, and love can all become idols in our lives.

Each chapter normally includes a story, an evaluation of what is happening at the heart of the individual, an explanation as to why we might trust in this idol, and then how we must nor merely remove that idol, but replace it with Jesus.

Sources: Helpful stories, humor, Biblical texts.

Agreement: The book was easy to read. The message was convicting. Their was a focus on replacing the idol with Jesus.

He had a helpful guide to identify idols: 1) What disappoints you; 2) What do you complain about the most; 3) Where do you make financial sacrifices; 4) What worries you; 5) Where is your sanctuary; 6) What infuriates you; 7) What are your dreams.

I would summarize them by saying: 1)What are you willing to sin for in order to get? and 2) What causes you to sin when you lose it?

Disagreement: I appreciated how he ended each chapter with Jesus as a better alternative, but these sections could have been beefed up. If he would have taken a passage of Scripture and demonstrated how Jesus blows these idols out of the water – that would have been great. Instead he offers a few reflections (which were often good) on Jesus, and then moves on.

A few statements made me wonder where he was coming from, like “All you have to do is let go.”

Personal App: What has taken the role of God in my life? Am I consciously replacing it with Jesus?

Favorite Quote: “When something good becomes a god, the pleasure it brings dies with it” (Kindle loc 1358).

Stars: 4 out of 5

I would recommend Keller’s “Counterfeit Gods” first and then if someone really appreciated that one, have them read this one.

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Disclaimer: I received this copy through the Booksneeze.com website, however, I am under no obligation other than to give my honest opinion.