The Dangers of Idolatry

Idolatry is defined as: The worship of an idol or cult image, being a physical image, such as a statue, or a person in place of God. This means a wide range of physical things and beings. Any thing that is formed, carved, drawn, painted, flies, blows, flows, burns, shines, or has blood running through it that is an object of worship is considered an idol. The Bible states that God warns about Idolatry so many times yet people still do not listen. 

Idolatry is seeking security and meaning in someone or something other than God.

They say to the wood, "You are my father," and to the stone, "You bore us," for they turned to Me their nape and not their face, and at the time of their misfortune they say, "Arise and save us. ”Now where are your gods that you have made for yourself; let them get up if they will save you at the time of your misfortune, for as many as your cities were your gods, O Judea. Jeremiah 2:27-28

God gave Adam six laws to follow of which one of them is a warning against idolatry. Unfortunately, people still found other things to trust in. Carvings and paintings of creatures near remnants of altars and ceremonial spots have been discovered and ancient writings talk about worshiping the bodies in the heavens. Male and female figures were found representing harvest and fertility gods and goddesses. Most of these have been dated to pre-flood times. After the flood and the Tower of Babel, mankind was left to their own devices yet the presence of God remained. 

Since the confusion of language, people came up with ways of worship that were replacing God. Myths and legends were created to explain existence because they had lost sight and understanding of God. Animals were worshiped because they provided materials for living.  Eventually people became objects of worship when they performed great deeds. 

Genesis, after the flood, talks about house idols, worship through sexual immorality, and many other false gods but it really is not until Exodus when we see God’s wrath on individuals. Moses and Joshua were up on the mountain leaving Aaron in charge. When the people figured Moses and Joshua had died they made Aaron create the cast of a golden calf like they had in Egypt for them to worship. It did not end well as the Levites were told to kill all the men who worshiped the false god.   

The Human condition says, “We make a god out of whatever we find most joy in. So, find your joy in God and be done with all idolatry.” John Piper.      

  “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Exodus 20:3-6
The Psalmist says:
Their idols are silver and gold, the handiwork of man. They have a mouth but they do not speak; they have eyes but they do not see. They have ears but they do not hear; they have a nose but they do not smell. Their hands-but they do not feel; their feet-but they do not walk; they do not murmur with their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.” Psalm 115:4-8 
Idolatry in Christianity
Yes there is idolatry in Christianity. The problem with religion is that items that represent a particular function can become idols. Catholics call certain sculptures of people and relics icons. People call them reminders but it really is just a disguise for idol worship. The cross can become an idol when people kneel before it in an act of worship.   
When Catholics venerate someone they are placing the person basically equal to God. The veneration of Mary placed her equal if not above God because she is worshiped and is set up as a mediary to talk with God. God never said it was okay to pray to anyone but Him. There is only one who is said to be the mediator between God and man, and His name is Jesus.

If Jesus worshiped God in life, why do we worship Jesus? Jesus never asked to be worshiped. The gospels paint two pictures of Jesus, prophet and messiah. The Jews understood that prophets and anyone thought to be The Messiah should not be worshiped because that would be considered idolatry. Jesus was very consistent in his differentiation between himself and God although sometimes misread or interpreted to say otherwise.    

“If you want to follow Jesus because He will give you a better life, that’s IDOLATRY. Follow Christ for the sake of Christ. He is WORTHY.” – Paul Washer.

“For what is idolatry if not this: to worship the gifts in place of the Giver himself?” John Calvin.
We are a very talented people. God grants each of gifts that are to be used for His Glory alone. When people take advantage of the gifts and become popular, they run the risk of an inflated ego to the point that they desire accolades and fame which leads people to place their faith, their trust in how the person acts and what the individual says about life. These folks become idols desiring worship.

Those that realize their “importance” in people’s lives then come to the belief that they can influence how others live to the point that they replace God’s influence. These “Talents are no longer used for God’s Goodness. This causes people to fall into temptations and sinfulness. 

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2

The Idol of Money
Money is a necessary evil but when misused, gained using unorthodox methods, or built up due to greed it becomes required for happiness it becomes a idol. God had put ordinances in place to regulate riches and stabilize the flow of funds to avoid greed. Man discovered the false power gained through obtaining treasure which put the whole world on an economic nightmarish spin.

The worship of money is the cause of many other evil deeds that can destroy a man. A person could be good stewards of their funds and still feel the effects of someone else’s greed. There are books and movies that show how money can corrupt even the most good minded people. The taste of material wealth causes downfalls that for some are very hard to emerge from. 

When God gives success through monetary means He doesn't want you to squander it on yourself but to give in a charitable way or use it for His good. This does not mean give the whole ten percent to your church because most of the time it just goes to pay many people and little is left for actual ministries. Take some of the ten percent and give directly to those who need it or purchase something with it and give that (i.e. coats, clothes, food) so that you are helping a person directly. 

Getting Rid of Idols in Your Life
The more time you devote to God the Father the more you realize the idols that surround your life. When you see that something is taking you away from God, put it down. If you put it down you can eventually let go of it. Don’t let people who are not even close to you influence your decisions on things but find them out for yourself. A person’s opinion isn’t always the right decision especially if they are being forced to act a certain way or are incapable of believing that there are other truths out there. 

Do not bow down to anyone but God. This means do not bow down even to the cross. There was flesh, blood, and bone on that cross not God. Altar calls are fine because your prayers are being directed towards God. If you are Catholic, please be careful not to worship the venerated saints. They are not God and can only hear your mutterings that still go directly to God. God wants a relationship with you personally not through another. 

Do not spend money on frivolous things but make it worth something for God’s glory. I wouldn’t be telling you these things if I didn’t care about your eternal soul. Be vigilant in all you do and make everything you do for God’s Glory alone. 

Brothers and Sisters, have faith that God will save us soon. The time is coming where faith will be tested and idolatry will be destroyed. Be aware that there are those who will try and deter you from your faith but your trust must remain in God alone. Flesh and Bone matter not, your spirit is everything.

In God’s Hands,

Rob, Servant of God