Aug 5, 2025
Over the last week I was reading a couple of books – and although they were very different - they had similar messages. One was called Counterfeit gods by Tim Keller – an incredible teacher and follower of Christ. The other was The Almanack of Naval Ravikant –a secular thought leader, evolutionist, and philosopher.
I like to read all kinds of books, and so having these juxtaposed authors was not a new experience. What was interesting was that they were both delivering a similar message – albeit with different belief systems – but a similar message, nonetheless.
The message was presented this way by Naval:
Every craving, every want, is a deal for discontent. That one stung a bit when I read it. So you’re telling me I'm CHOOSING to live as an actively unhappy person with every desire I have until I get it? Yikes.
Keller, pointing to the infinite wisdom of God, said it this way:
In the book of Romans, Saint Paul wrote that one of the worst thing God can do to someone is to ‘give them over to the desires of their hearts’ (Romans 1:24). Why would the greatest punishment imaginable be to allow someone to achieve their fondest dream? It is because our hearts fashion these desires into idols.”
I have experienced this. Many of you have experienced this or are even experiencing it now.
You wanted something – then you got it – and it became meaningless the instant you did.
The new car. The job. The business. The financial milestone. You’re not alone. For thousands of years we have been writing about just how much our desires seem to be the reason we are unhappy.
Here's what I want you to see today: whatever controls your emotions is your idol.
Most days, you will find that to be desire. This isn’t about whether or not you get the thing you desire. It’s more understanding that when you get this thing, you will have an emotional response - overjoyed or deeply depressed – and when you do, you are likely looking at the idol in your life.
So how do we rid ourselves of these idols? Keller taught it as developing a level of apathy. Not where you don’t care – but as a Gospel-shaped detachment. On money for example he said:
- Tim Keller
Over the last several years, I have developed an apathy toward money. First, I recognize it is all God’s- not mine. Second, His love and favor for me is not evident by the amount of money I do or do not have. So it doesn’t control me. I focus each day on using the gifts God has given, and the outcomes are His to decide. It’s having a level of Holy indifference - where my identity is secure in Christ alone – and the outcome doesn’t validate or invalidate the effort.
I say all of that to you while also telling you I am a very competitive person. I am a “pusher”. I have worked extremely hard to prove that I am “enough”.
But you know what – after I got the desires of my heart – I felt even less “enough” than I did before. I was chasing my own desires for my own glory, hidden in the costume of being driven. I had made a contract to be unhappy until I got the things I wanted – then I got them and realized the contract was never going to deliver. This is where Naval only got it half right – because it assumes you will be happy when you get what you want.
Now, I have focused my efforts and energy on the things I believe God is calling me to. I want to desire nothing but to see Him glorified. There are days I don’t do that. But today is today – and I get to choose to kill my own desires – and to instead desire Him. King Jesus.
The goal isn’t to want nothing. It’s to want the right thing. And that starts by naming the counterfeit ones.
Throw it in the fire.
Compare it to what God's word says are Godly desires.
Are you apathetic or will the outcomes of your desires control your emotions?
