WWJP?
What Would Jesus Pray?

Text: John 16:25-33

How can you determine what you value most? We may know that enjoying anything other than God can become idolatry. But we can go months, even years, without considering the dangers of idolatry.

Our hearts are deceitful. James warns us of being "double-minded" (James 1:8;4:8). Several references in the Old Testament speak to the possibility of a "divided heart."

Jesus perfectly and wholly lived for God's glory. Jesus' prayer in John 17 gives us incredible insight into Jesus' nature, His heart, and His mission on earth. He desired to do only the will of His Father, and He is our lofty example. But the apostle Paul encourages us by writing that from the moment of salvation, every believer is in a process of being formed into the image of Jesus Christ:

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

God promised that He would complete the work He has started in us at salvation (Philippians 1:6). But we are not passive in this process. Tim Keller's definition of an idol may be helpful as you ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of the things that may be competing with or usurping God's rule in your life:

“What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.” 

We are all in possession of fickle hearts. We all still need Jesus! Thank God that grace has been given!