Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Departed Spirits

◄ Idolatry: Objects of Departed Spirits ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Idolatry, in the biblical context, refers to the worship or veneration of created objects or beings in place of the one true God. Among the various forms of idolatry condemned in Scripture is the veneration of objects associated with departed spirits. This practice is seen as a direct violation of the first and second commandments, which emphasize the exclusive worship of Yahweh and the prohibition of graven images (Exodus 20:3-4).

The Bible explicitly warns against consulting the dead or engaging in practices that attempt to communicate with spirits. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Israelites are instructed: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD." This passage underscores the seriousness with which God views any attempt to engage with the spiritual realm outside of His ordained means.

The practice of necromancy, or communicating with the dead, is illustrated in the account of King Saul and the medium at Endor (1 Samuel 28:7-20). Desperate for guidance, Saul seeks out a medium to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. This act of seeking counsel from a departed spirit is portrayed as a grave sin, leading to Saul's downfall. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale against turning to the dead for wisdom or guidance, emphasizing reliance on God alone.

Isaiah 8:19 further admonishes, "When men tell you to consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, should not a people consult their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?" This rhetorical question highlights the futility and danger of seeking knowledge from the dead, contrasting it with the wisdom and guidance available from God.

The New Testament continues this theme, warning against idolatry in all its forms. In Galatians 5:19-21 , Paul lists idolatry and sorcery among the "acts of the flesh," which are contrary to the life led by the Spirit. The early church faced challenges from syncretistic practices that blended Christian faith with pagan rituals, including the veneration of spirits and idols. The apostolic teaching consistently called believers to reject such practices and remain faithful to Christ alone.

Throughout Scripture, the worship of objects associated with departed spirits is consistently condemned as idolatry. This form of idolatry not only violates God's commandments but also leads individuals away from the truth and into spiritual deception. The biblical narrative calls believers to a singular devotion to God, rejecting all forms of idolatry and seeking wisdom and guidance from Him alone.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 28:14,15
And he said to her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man comes up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Spiritual Idolatry
... Rome; whether angels, or the souls of departed saints, or ... In a word, so many objects
as there are in ... in their hearts, so many species of idolatry they practise ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 78 spiritual idolatry.htm

The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
... Adoration offered to other than God, is idolatry. ... kinds"that offered to angels, and
departed spirits, and that ... impress a reverence for the objects of worship ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxviii the danger of.htm

On Idolatry
... the gods of foreign nations as objects of worship ... to the virgin Mary, angels and
departed saints, we say ... the papists have of declaring their idolatry by various ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... and rotten rags, called relics, are the objects of adoration ... and in one shape or
another idolatry is the ... which belonged to the early period has departed like a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

Absolution.
... belief in the appearance of the spirits of the departed. ... health in which the eye
creates the objects which it ... of relations as if it were an idolatry as great ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/v absolution.htm

The Deceitfulness of the Human Heart
... In ten thousand objects sought. ... word, his ordinances; Atheism on the one hand, and
idolatry on the ... heart by faith," so that his wickedness is departed from him. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 123 the deceitfulness of.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... make war against me, and God is departed from me.' 1 ... we are led much by visible objects,
and love ... of Israel, who, notwithstanding all the idolatry and tyranny ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

Select Works and Letters or Athanasius
... 9. The various developments of idolatry: worship of ... heavenly bodies, the elements,
natural objects, fabulous creatures ... hold upon himself, Antony departed to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... You appease the shades of the departed with wine and ... The objects of your worship
can be shown to have ... so that this very explanation of their idolatry, on which ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

Concerning Worship.
... way for it; for men having first departed from the ... For this kind of idolatry, whereby
man loveth, idolizeth ... and as hereby there are any objects presented to his ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm