Topical Bible: Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping Images

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Idolatry, in the context of biblical teaching, refers to the act of worshipping images or created objects as deities, which is strictly prohibited in the Scriptures. This practice is seen as a direct violation of the first and second commandments given by God, which emphasize the exclusive worship of the one true God and the prohibition of graven images.

The foundation of the biblical prohibition against idolatry is found in the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:3-5 , God commands, "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God." This passage underscores the seriousness with which God views the worship of images, associating it with spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites are repeatedly warned against the allure of idolatry, which was prevalent among the surrounding nations. In Deuteronomy 4:15-19 , Moses cautions the Israelites, "So be careful and watch yourselves closely, so that you do not act corruptly and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, or like any beast on the earth or bird that flies in the air, or like any creature that crawls on the ground or fish in the waters below." This warning highlights the tendency of humans to create tangible representations of the divine, which ultimately leads to the distortion of true worship.

The prophets of Israel frequently condemned idolatry, emphasizing its futility and the judgment it incurs. Isaiah 44:9-20 vividly describes the absurdity of idol-making, where a craftsman uses part of a tree to warm himself and cook his food, and from the same material, he fashions a god to worship. The prophet declares, "They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot comprehend" (Isaiah 44:18). This passage illustrates the spiritual blindness that accompanies idolatry.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul addresses the issue of idolatry in his letters to the early Christian communities. In Romans 1:22-23 , he writes, "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." Paul identifies idolatry as a fundamental exchange of the truth of God for a lie, leading to moral and spiritual degradation.

The early church faced the challenge of idolatry as it spread throughout the Greco-Roman world, where idol worship was deeply ingrained in the culture. In 1 Corinthians 10:14 , Paul exhorts believers, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." This command reflects the ongoing struggle against the temptation to revert to old practices and the need for vigilance in maintaining pure devotion to God.

Idolatry, as the worship of images, is not merely an ancient practice but a timeless issue that challenges the faithfulness of God's people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of worshipping God in spirit and truth, as Jesus taught in John 4:24 : "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." The biblical narrative consistently calls believers to reject all forms of idolatry and to devote themselves wholly to the worship of the one true God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 44:17
And the residue thereof he makes a god, even his graven image: he falls down to it, and worships it, and prays to it, and said, Deliver me; for you are my god.
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Daniel 3:5,10,15
That at what time you hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up:
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Library

On Idolatry
... 16:31.) The third mode is the worst of all; for it consists of a ... XV. But that the
papists commit the second species of idolatry in the worshipping of images ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... is always dashing itself, and in one shape or another idolatry is the ... persons might
honestly declare, "I do not mind worshipping God if it consists in doing ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

On the Second Command in the Decalogue
... The second precept consists of a command and its ... the distinction of the intention
in worshipping; by which ... been produced from the dark cave of horrid idolatry. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lxxv on the second.htm

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his ...
... the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (1:Sam ... we infer
that part of the reverence due to him consists in worshipping him simply ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 of the power.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... who are most desirous to clear themselves of idolatry. ... that they worship their images
without worshipping them. ... that the source of the whole evil consists in a ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

Though in Almost Every Age There have Indeed Been in the Heathen ...
... spirits, and dared not to condemn the worshipping even of ... produced, allowed men to
continue the idolatry of their ... of which the whole scheme consists: But this ...
/.../vi proposition vi though in.htm

Mongrel Religion
... allow them to go the whole length of idolatry in his ... How many there are whose religion
consists in a fear ... Jehovah cannot be sincere it be is worshipping Moloch ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/mongrel religion.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... come now to the preface itself, which consists of three ... But, for their idolatry,
God forsook the place, gave ... was God against Israel for worshipping the golden ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... we are taught that man's final perfection consists in his ... with the purpose of preventing
idolatry, for in ... God forgave the people's sin of worshipping the calf. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... sacrifices; as we see in the word idolatry, which means ... to the king, he was found
worshipping and praying ... vestal virginity is great, yet it consists wholly in ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm