Topical Bible: Idolatry: Saints should not Covenant With Those Who Practise

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is a recurring theme in the Bible, consistently condemned as a grievous sin against the one true God. The practice of idolatry is not only a violation of the First Commandment but also a spiritual adultery that leads believers away from their covenant relationship with God. Throughout Scripture, the faithful are warned against forming alliances or covenants with those who engage in idolatry, as such associations can lead to spiritual compromise and apostasy.

Biblical Warnings Against Idolatry

The Bible provides numerous warnings against idolatry and the dangers of associating with idolaters. In Exodus 23:32-33, God commands the Israelites, "You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you." This directive underscores the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and avoiding the influence of pagan practices.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 7:2-4, the Israelites are instructed, "And when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following Me to serve other gods, and the anger of the LORD will burn against you and will swiftly destroy you." This passage highlights the potential for idolatry to lead the faithful away from God.

The New Testament Perspective

The New Testament continues to emphasize the dangers of idolatry and the need for separation from idolaters. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, the Apostle Paul writes, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God."

Paul's exhortation to the Corinthian church underscores the incompatibility of idolatry with the Christian faith. Believers are called to be distinct from the world, living as temples of the Holy Spirit and avoiding any form of spiritual compromise.

Historical Examples and Consequences

Throughout biblical history, the consequences of forming covenants with idolaters are evident. King Solomon, despite his wisdom, fell into idolatry by marrying foreign women who turned his heart after other gods (1 Kings 11:1-4). This led to the division of the kingdom and eventual judgment upon Israel.

The Israelites' repeated alliances with pagan nations and their gods resulted in cycles of oppression and deliverance, as seen in the Book of Judges. Each time they turned to idolatry, they faced divine retribution until they repented and returned to the Lord.

The Call to Holiness

The call to avoid covenants with idolaters is ultimately a call to holiness. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, believers are reminded, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This call to holiness requires a separation from practices and associations that lead away from God.

In summary, the Bible consistently warns against idolatry and forming covenants with those who practice it. Believers are called to maintain their distinct identity in Christ, avoiding spiritual compromise and remaining faithful to their covenant with the one true God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 34:12,15
Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you go, lest it be for a snare in the middle of you:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 7:2
And when the LORD your God shall deliver them before you; you shall smite them, and utterly destroy them; you shall make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them:
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Library

Spiritual Idolatry
... whether angels, or the souls of departed saints, or images ... up in their hearts, so
many species of idolatry they practise ... It is his will that we should love our ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 78 spiritual idolatry.htm

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
... claims for punishment, of a law that should still continue ... any of them fell off into
idolatry, that covenant ... The communion of saints was confederated, that, by ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vii covenanting adapted to.htm

Concerning the Communion, or Participation of the Body and Blood ...
... blood of Christ, dehorts them from idolatry, and partaking ... to the spiritual communion
of the saints with God ... sick; but this being ceased, so should the ceremony ...
/.../proposition xiii concerning the communion.htm

Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's ...
... dare not; lest you countenance their idolatry; and nourish ... out of church communion;
therefore you should not do it ... to hold communion with the saints that are ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/peaceable principles and true or.htm

The Conversion of Cornelius.
... by baptism to be a fellow-citizen of the saints. ... by the Spirit; that the Gentiles
should be fellow ... the shadow of death." The altars of idolatry were overthrown ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiii the conversion of.htm

The Form of Sound Words
... Why, pure idolatry. ... prostrating himself before the Virgin Mary and all saints; and
the ... storms, come trials, like Luther of old, we should not flinch because of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the form of sound words.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... Even after years of activity against idolatry, in the words ... All God's Saints have
this union of opposite graces ... lest there should be among you man, or woman, or ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

Answer to the Objection of the Heathen, that it was not Right to ...
... "The saints of the ... God instead of the evil one, and prefer wisdom to idolatry, and
take ... be worshipped, and whether this wise God and Christ should be followed ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter x answer to the objection.htm

The First vision "On Earth"
... of the heaven: The flesh of thy saints unto the ... or family or tribe" who should introduce
idolatry into Israel ... written in this law." And when it should be asked ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.htm

Concerning Worship.
... For this kind of idolatry, whereby man loveth, idolizeth ... or set devotions, or exercises
to saints, or prayers ... Or should not every one stay at home, until they ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm