Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Described as Teachers of Lies

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Idolatry, in the biblical context, refers to the worship of idols or images as gods, or the excessive reverence for and devotion to anything other than the one true God. The Bible consistently condemns idolatry, portraying it as a grave sin that leads people away from the truth and into spiritual deception. One of the most striking descriptions of idols in Scripture is that they are "teachers of lies."

The prophet Habakkuk provides a vivid depiction of this concept. In Habakkuk 2:18-19 , the prophet declares, "What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it— or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it teach? Look, it may be overlaid with gold and silver, but there is no breath in it at all."

This passage highlights the futility and deception inherent in idolatry. The idols, crafted by human hands, are described as "teachers of lies" because they promise what they cannot deliver. They are lifeless objects, incapable of imparting wisdom, guidance, or truth. Instead, they lead their worshipers into falsehood, offering a counterfeit sense of security and divine presence.

The notion of idols as "teachers of lies" underscores the spiritual danger they pose. By venerating these objects, individuals are led away from the truth of God’s Word and into a realm of falsehood and illusion. The idols, though often adorned with precious metals and crafted with skill, are ultimately powerless and devoid of life. They cannot speak, hear, or act, yet they demand the devotion and trust that belong solely to God.

The Bible further emphasizes the deceptive nature of idols in Jeremiah 10:14-15 : "Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud; they have no breath in them. They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment, they will perish."

Here, the prophet Jeremiah echoes the sentiment that idols are fraudulent and devoid of life. The craftsmen who create them are shamed by their own handiwork, as these objects are ultimately worthless and destined for destruction. The idols, far from being sources of truth or divine insight, are objects of derision and scorn.

The biblical portrayal of idols as "teachers of lies" serves as a stark warning against the allure of idolatry. It calls believers to recognize the emptiness of false gods and to turn their hearts wholly toward the living God, who alone is the source of truth, life, and salvation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Habakkuk 2:18
What profits the graven image that the maker thereof has graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusts therein, to make dumb idols?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Original Sin
... that neither grand nor beautiful objects please any ... of the ancient Heathens have
largely described the vices ... the general flood of Atheism and idolatry, of pride ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 44 original sin.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... how aid is implored from dead and senseless objects, by beings ... pretexts in defence
of the execrable idolatry in which ... in the very way which has been described. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... [2] God is described by his ... Because we are led much by visible objects, and love
to have our ... worshipped God after a false manner; and it is idolatry, not only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

The Case of all the Protestant or Reformed Churches, With
... that certain external things, which are objects of the ... of the spirit of lies and
idolatry, is two ... 8.) The reformed say, that the personage thus described is the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 22 the case of.htm

Select Works and Letters or Athanasius
... 9. The various developments of idolatry: worship of ... heavenly bodies, the elements,
natural objects, fabulous creatures ... the victory over death described above: (2 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/

Our First Proposition Was, that There is Satisfactory Evidence ...
... if a Gentile, he found his idolatry and polytheism ... as to represent to their imagination
the same objects. ... finding him in the condition described, and Paul's ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter i our first proposition.htm

Concerning the Lord's Supper
... turned the trees, and all other objects described as existing ... what more grievous
sin of idolatry can there ... which has permitted our impious teachers to conceal ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning the lords supper.htm

On Reconciling Religious Dissensions among Christians
... from others the contumelious appellation of "cursed idolatry;" and that ... of such a
man as is here described, must be ... those things which are the objects of his ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/oration v on reconciling religious.htm

A Table of the Chief Things.
... voices, and dreams were the objects of the ... Superstition, idolatry, and thence atheism,
have proceeded from ... What absolute reprobation is, is described, [1086]110 ...
/.../a table of the chief.htm

A Warning Rejected.
... woman (Babylon) of Revelation 17, is described as "arrayed ... of Rome were ever guilty
of idolatry in relation ... aid of religious or charitable objects, but often ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /21 a warning rejected.htm