Definition:
To idolize is to regard with blind adoration, devotion, or excessive reverence. In a biblical context, it refers to the act of worshiping or valuing something or someone more than God, which is considered a form of idolatry.

Biblical Context:
The Bible consistently warns against idolizing anything other than God. Idolatry is seen as a grave sin because it places created things above the Creator, violating the first commandment: "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3).

Old Testament References:
The Old Testament frequently addresses the issue of idol worship among the Israelites and surrounding nations. The prophets often rebuked the people for turning to idols made of wood, stone, or metal. For instance, Isaiah 44:9-20 vividly describes the foolishness of crafting and worshiping idols: "All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit" (Isaiah 44:9).

The account of the golden calf in Exodus 32 is a notable example of idolization. While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Israelites grew impatient and asked Aaron to make them gods. Aaron fashioned a calf from gold, and the people worshiped it, saying, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (Exodus 32:4). This act of idolization provoked God's anger and led to severe consequences.

New Testament References:
In the New Testament, the concept of idolization extends beyond physical idols to include anything that takes precedence over God in one's life. The Apostle Paul warns against greed, equating it with idolatry: "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5).

Paul also addresses the issue of idolizing human leaders in the church. In 1 Corinthians 3:4-5, he admonishes the Corinthians for their divisions based on allegiance to different apostles: "For when one says, 'I follow Paul,' and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not mere men?" (1 Corinthians 3:4). He emphasizes that all leaders are merely servants through whom believers come to faith.

Theological Implications:
Idolization is fundamentally a heart issue, reflecting a misalignment of priorities and affections. It challenges the believer's devotion to God, who demands exclusive worship and allegiance. The Bible calls for a wholehearted love for God, as stated in the Shema: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to examine their lives for anything that might be idolized, whether it be material possessions, relationships, status, or personal ambitions. The call is to repent and reorient one's life towards God, ensuring that He remains the central focus of worship and devotion. As Jesus taught, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "idolize," the concept is deeply embedded in its teachings on idolatry. The call to avoid idolization is a call to prioritize God above all else, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of life, purpose, and fulfillment.1. (v. t.) To love to excess; to idealize or worship; as, to idolize youth or a hero.

2. (v. t.) To make an idol of; to pay idolatrous worship to; as, to idolize the sacred bull in Egypt.

3. (v. i.) To practice idolatry.

The Controversy Ended.
... of fallen angels, devoted all their skill and knowledge to the exaltation of themselves;
men whose wonderful works of art led the world to idolize their genius ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /42 the controversy ended.htm

The Controversy Ended
... of fallen angels, devoted all their skill and knowledge to the exaltation of themselves;
men whose wonderful works of art led the world to idolize their genius ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 42 the controversy ended.htm

O Lord My God, do Thou Thy Holy Will --
... Following the Lamb where'er He go,. By purest pleasures unbeguiled. To idolize
or wife or child; Such wedded souls our GOD shall own. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cclxxv o lord my god.htm

Letter xvii. --To Eustathia, Ambrosia, and Basilissa . To the Most ...
... by God's enemies I mean those who deny the glory of our Lord, be they Jews, or
downright idolaters, or those who through Arius' teaching idolize the creature ...
/.../letter xvii to eustathia ambrosia and.htm

A Caution against Bigotry
... point. He is to make you idolize yourselves; to make you wiser in your own
eyes than God himself, than all the oracles of God. Now ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 38 a caution against.htm

Acts 17:16-17. Athens.
... We have not so learned Christ. It may please some men to idolize intellectual power,
and to speak highly of the debt which the world owes to the Greek mind. ...
/.../chapter ix acts 17 16-17 athens.htm

Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election.
... God himself tells us in plain Terms is Idolatry, Colossians 3:5. And so indeed is
our allowing our selves in any known Sin whatsoever; for we idolize it by ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon our call and.htm

The Preface
... For it is the peculiar honour and dignity of Jesus Christ only to be imitated by
all men absolutely, and for any person or persons to idolize any man or men ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the preface.htm

The Law.
... as to speak of the one, that is the law, for to magnify the gospel"-and also to
speak of the gospel so as to establish and yet not to idolize the law, nor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/v the law.htm

"But the End of all Things is at Hand, be Ye Therefore Sober and ...
... We are given to idolize the creatures, and dig broken cisterns, and forsake the
fountain of living waters, to seek the creature as if it were God, and the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xx but the end.htm

Idolize (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To love to excess; to idealize or worship; as,
to idolize youth or a hero. ... Multi-Version Concordance Idolize (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/idolize.htm - 7k

God (45911 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Figuratively applied to one who wields great or despotic power. 6. (vt)
To treat as a god; to idolize. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHILDREN OF GOD ...
/g/god.htm - 101k

Worship (332 Occurrences)
... adore; to venerate. 9. (vt) To honor with extravagant love and extreme
submission, as a lover; to adore; to idolize. 10. (vi) To ...
/w/worship.htm - 66k

Idol-house (1 Occurrence)
Idol-house. Idolatry, Idol-house. Idolize . Multi-Version Concordance
Idol-house (1 Occurrence). ... (DBY). Idolatry, Idol-house. Idolize . Reference
/i/idol-house.htm - 6k

Pouring (21 Occurrences)
... when we are making perfume to the queen of the heavens, and pouring out to her
libations -- without our husbands have we made for her cakes to idolize her, and ...
/p/pouring.htm - 13k

Adore (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vt) To love in the highest degree; to regard with the utmost esteem and affection;
to idolize. 3. (vt) To adorn. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/a/adore.htm - 7k

Libations (29 Occurrences)
... when we are making perfume to the queen of the heavens, and pouring out to her
libations -- without our husbands have we made for her cakes to idolize her, and ...
/l/libations.htm - 16k

Idols (186 Occurrences)

/i/idols.htm - 37k

Why is idol worship such a powerful temptation? | GotQuestions.org

What is the cause of church splits? How can healing occur after a church split? | GotQuestions.org

What are some modern forms of idolatry? | GotQuestions.org

Idolize: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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