Humankind was created with a living soul. From the dawn of creation, there has been an innate desire to worship something. While Yahweh wanted to be the object of that devotion and is the only one that can satisfy the deepest spiritual needs of humanity, people have invented false gods and devoted themselves to serving tangible and intangible idols and philosophies. This is idolatry, which is the worship or adoration of idols, false gods, or of anything that takes the place of God Himself. Anything physical or spiritual other than God that controls affections, time, energy, money, and devotion is idolatry.Read more
I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. —Isaiah 42:8
God is glorious and His works are marvelous. There is no entity in heaven or in earth that even begins to compare to the majesty and power of the Lord God. He is due honor and glory and will not give that praise and honor to any other being or graven image. Only God can redeem mankind, and only God has the gift of eternal life to give.
The subject this quarter is on the topic of idolatry. The world has many religions in which people are bowing down and worshipping idols. There are many more people that are worshipping idols that are not hewn from a rock or formed by a silversmith. People are devoting themselves to the things of this world, and while most people would not want to acknowledge it, that is idolatry.Read more
Scripture Reading: Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. —Luke 4:8
Definition: Idolatry is defined as the “worship of idols, images, or anything which is not God; the worship of false gods. Excessive attachment, or veneration for anything; respect or love which borders on adoration” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
Summary: Adoration and worship of anything other than God Himself is idolatry—whether an idol, invented god, religions of man, or something of this world which governs affections, time, energy, and money.
I. There is One God
A. Mark 12:28-29 The Lord our God is one Lord.
B. Isaiah 44:6 Beside me there is no God.
C. 1 Timothy 2:5 One God and one mediator.
D. Revelation 4:10-11 The Lord is worthy of worship.Read more
One need not look to ancient civilizations to find idolatry and false gods. There are idols all around us in modern society. Idolatry is much more than just bowing down to an image in worship, it is anything that someone loves and is devoted to more than God. John Calvin had it right when he wrote: “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.”
Idolatry of Our Day
Contrary to the law of God, there are many religions still today where people bow down to graven images of metal or stone. However, while the greater part of society has rejected these idols, greater and more powerful idols of the heart and mind have been erected on which people are lavishing time, money, and affection. Anything that supersedes God as the focus and priority in life becomes an idol. The essence of idolatry lies in the heart and is found in that which someone loves, trusts, and worships.Read more
Talisman: An object considered to have religious or magical powers intended to protect, heal, or harm individuals (i.e. a crucifix, yin-yang, rabbit’s foot, amulets, crystals).
Virgin Mary: Mary, the mother of Jesus, to whom the Catholics began praying in the third century.
Buddha: The ‘Awakened One’ or the ‘Enlightened One’ from South Asia in the fifth century. While not considered a god, Buddhists bow to his image in respect and seek to gain positive spiritual energy.
Ganesha: One of the most well-known and worshipped Hindu gods. The lord of success and the remover of obstacles.