Idolatry, in its essence, is the act of revering or worshiping anything other than the one true God. While traditionally associated with the physical act of bowing before carved images or statues, Scripture reveals a deeper dimension of idolatry that occurs within the human heart. This internal form of idolatry is just as grievous in the eyes of God as the external, physical manifestations.

The prophet Ezekiel addresses this internal idolatry directly. In Ezekiel 14:3 , God speaks to the prophet concerning the elders of Israel: "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of Me at all?" Here, the Lord highlights that idolatry is not merely about external objects of worship but involves the inner disposition and priorities of the heart. The elders, though outwardly appearing to seek God, had allowed other desires and allegiances to take precedence over their devotion to Him.

The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing the heart's role in idolatry. In Colossians 3:5 , the Apostle Paul exhorts believers: "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry." Paul equates greed with idolatry, indicating that the covetous desires of the heart can become idols when they usurp God's rightful place as the primary object of love and devotion.

Idolatry of the heart can manifest in various forms, such as the pursuit of wealth, power, pleasure, or even relationships that overshadow one's commitment to God. Jesus Himself warned against such misplaced priorities in Matthew 6:24 : "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Here, Jesus underscores the impossibility of divided loyalties, as the heart cannot fully serve God while being enslaved to another master.

The heart's idolatry is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, as God consistently calls His people to wholehearted devotion. In the Shema, a central declaration of faith found in Deuteronomy 6:5 , the Israelites are commanded: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This commandment underscores the necessity of undivided love and allegiance to God, free from competing idols.

The consequences of harboring idols in the heart are severe, as they lead to spiritual adultery and estrangement from God. James 4:4 warns, "You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God." This stark admonition highlights the incompatibility of worldly affections with a life devoted to God.

In addressing idolatry, Scripture calls believers to examine their hearts continually, rooting out any rival affections that may have taken hold. The psalmist's prayer in Psalm 139:23-24 serves as a model for this introspection: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." This prayer reflects a desire for purity of heart and a commitment to aligning one's life with God's will.

Ultimately, the battle against idolatry in the heart is a call to steadfast faithfulness and exclusive devotion to God, recognizing Him as the sole source of life, purpose, and fulfillment.Ezekiel 14:3,4
Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... give the Jews the least pretext for setting up a symbol ... that the source of the whole
evil consists in a ... the moment images appear in churches, idolatry has as ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

Mongrel Religion
... them to go the whole length of idolatry in his ... How many there are whose religion
consists in a fear ... did not break the first commandment by setting up other gods ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/mongrel religion.htm

What a Revival of Religion Is
... swept away in the vortex of luxury, idolatry, and pride ... defined to be, a Divine
interference, setting aside or ... It consists entirely in the right exercise of the ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture i what a revival.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... for ourselves, abandoning the living God, and setting up an idol. ... The grossest vice
here prohibited is external idolatry. This commandment consists of two parts ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

Epistle Li. To Antonianus About Cornelius and Novatian.
... and at the End He Explains Wherein Consists the Novatian ... The Lord also in His Gospel,
setting forth the love ... held guilty of the crime of idolatry, according to ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle li to antonianus about.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... we have marked "V," and which consists of the ... If it were taken to symbolise the setting
up of monasteries ... 19); and in the plural, of idolatry (see Deuteronomy 18 ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... The six refer to the earth; the seventh consists of the third ... And here, it is idolatry
of the grossest kind ... The setting or planting of this feet on sea and land ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Greek Plagiarism from the Hebrews.
... knew the imperishable world which consists of the ... Philemon, the comic poet demolishes
idolatry in these ... Again, ??schylus the tragedian, setting forth the power ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xiv greek plagiarism from the.htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... in the east while the sun is setting in the ... of sacrifices; as we see in the word
idolatry, which means ... and vestal virginity is great, yet it consists wholly in ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... other effect of that true wisdom which consists in the ... on the sovereignty of God
exercised in setting apart a ... of the world."[524] The sin of those is idolatry. ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

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Idolatry: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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