As to subtle heart-idolatry, it is extensive. Men commit this idolatry with created things when their mind, will and affections are set on what is created as much as, or more than, God. So covetousness is called idolatry. We are guilty of this idolatry:
- When we love anything as much as, or more than, God (Mt 10:37). For that is our god that gets most of our hearts, and anything that gets more of our love than God gets must be our idol. Thus we often make idols of ourselves, the world, our lawful comforts and relations. O how disorderly does the pulse of our affections beat! How violent are they towards created things, but how weak and languishing towards God! The fire of love to God is often like a fire of straw, that makes a sudden blaze and then dies. Love to something created is like a fire of juniper that burns long and is not soon quenched. This excessive love to the creatures appears (1) in esteeming them far above God and the communications of His grace, (2) in the great eagerness that is used in the pursuit of them, more than in seeking God and His favour, (3) in the greater uneasiness when we are without them than when without the consolations of God.
- When men desire anything as much as, or more than, God (Phil 4:6). How extravagant are the desires of the heart! Many things are desired more than the one thing needful. Our desires after created things need to have their wings clipped, while the wings of desire towards God are far from having grown. How readily we would be filled if we knocked as eagerly at God’s door as we do at that of created things! Examine then what, of all things, you desire most; that is your god.
- When we delight and rejoice in anything as much as, or more than, in God (Lk 10:23). For whatever a man’s choice is and most suits his heart, he will delight and rejoice most in it. What idolatry this will reveal! How often it is found that men will delight and rejoice more in a good bargain than in the everlasting covenant; in husband, wife and children more than in God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; in a good farm or storeroom than in the field of the gospel; in a good suit of clothes more than in the righteousness of a Mediator! Where the treasure is, there will the heart be also.
- When we sorrow more, or as much, for anything as we do for offending God. That is a sorrow of the world, and it reveals the idolising of the creature (2 Cor 7:10). It often affects the heart more to offend men than to offend God, and people will be at more pains to gain reconciliation with them than with the Lord himself. A small cross or loss in the world will draw tears, when sin will not draw a sigh from us, and ordinarily our afflictions lie more heavy on us than our sins.
- When we have as much or more zeal for anything than for God and His honour. Thus self is idolised, men being far more sensibly touched by anything that reflects on themselves than on God. How often do men behold God’s name dishonoured and remain unmoved while, if you only touch them in their reputation and honour, you will find they are not drones in their own cause, though they are so in God’s! So men idolise their own conceits, for they are, as were the Pharisees, much more zealous for their own traditions than for God’s commandments, for their own opinions than for moral duties.
- When we fear any person or thing more than God (Prov 29:25). Because the greatest fear is due to God, if we fear any person or thing more than Him, we idolise it. Thus men make a god of man, yea, of the devil. And fear of the wrath of man will have far more influence than fear of the wrath of God. This is a special snare in a time of persecution.
- When we have more, or as much, hope in anything as in God. Yet how often will the promises of men revive us, when all the promises of God cannot do so!
- When we have more, or as much, confidence and trust in anything as in God (Jer 17:5). Thus power, wealth, strength, gifts and abilities – and whatever men trust more to than to God – are idolised.
An edited extract from Boston’s Works, vol 2. It is part of his exposition of the words “before Me” in the First Commandment.