Lies of the HeartSample

A deluded heart can mislead us in powerful ways. It can twist our opinions, cloud our judgment, and cause us to live in deception without even realizing it. When our hearts are deceived, we are drawn away from truth and pulled into false worship, often bowing down to idols we don’t even recognize as idols. That is why Isaiah describes the one who clings to lies as feeding on ashes—grasping something empty, powerless, and unable to give life. When we finally realize this, we are forced to ask ourselves, “What is the lie I’ve been holding in my right hand?”

When I was in college at the University of Illinois, I was surrounded by the party scene. The social life on campus revolved around alcohol and late nights at bars. “Going out” was almost always code for drinking heavily, and drunkenness was considered completely normal—just another part of the college experience. But looking back, I have to ask: who decided that getting drunk until you lost control of yourself was fun, or even normal? The answer is simple: it was the influence of a world full of people with deluded hearts. What seemed like a harmless social norm was actually an idol being worshiped, and many—including myself—were feeding on ashes.

There is a saying I have come to appreciate: It is easier to con someone than to convince them they have been conned. Isn’t that true? When someone believes a lie, pointing it out can feel like an attack on their pride. It is often easier for a person to cling to the deception than to admit they were tricked. That is what makes idols so dangerous—they are convincing. We build them, invest in them, sacrifice for them, and then refuse to acknowledge the emptiness they leave behind. We would rather keep clutching ashes in our hands than admit we have been deceived.

This is why God continually warns us about the danger of idolatry. It is not just about statues or false gods; it is about anything that takes His rightful place in our hearts. Idols can look like success, approval, entertainment, relationships, or even good things we have elevated too high. The danger is not simply that we worship them, but that our hearts become so deceived we cannot even recognize that what we are holding onto is a lie. That is when we find ourselves stumbling, unable to deliver ourselves—just as Isaiah said.

The good news is that God is gracious enough to open our eyes to truth. Through His Word and His Spirit, He exposes the lies we cling to and shows us the emptiness of feeding on ashes. He gives us the courage to release those idols and replace them with Himself—the only One who can truly satisfy. The question is whether we are willing to humble ourselves, admit that we have been deceived, and allow Him to free us.

Reflection Question: What lie might you be holding in your “right hand” that feels so real and true that you are reluctant to let go of it?