Topical Bible: Idolatry: Saints should not Have Anything Connected With in Their Houses

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Idolatry, in the biblical context, refers to the worship of idols or the excessive reverence for anything other than the one true God. The Bible consistently warns against idolatry, emphasizing that it is a grave sin that leads believers away from God. The presence of idolatrous objects in the homes of the faithful is seen as a direct violation of God's commandments and a spiritual danger.

Biblical Prohibitions Against Idolatry

The Ten Commandments explicitly forbid idolatry. 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." This passage underscores the seriousness of idolatry and the importance of maintaining purity in worship.

Deuteronomy 7:25-26 further instructs the Israelites regarding the destruction of idolatrous objects: "You must burn up the carved images of their gods. Do not covet the silver or gold that is on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. You must not bring any detestable thing into your house, or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. You must utterly detest and abhor it, for it is set apart for destruction."

The Spiritual Implications of Idolatry

Idolatry is not merely the physical act of bowing to an idol; it represents a heart turned away from God. In Ezekiel 14:6 , the Lord calls His people to repentance, saying, "Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations.’" This call to repentance highlights the need for a complete rejection of idolatry in all its forms.

The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to flee from idolatry. In 1 Corinthians 10:14 , Paul writes, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." This exhortation is a reminder that idolatry is incompatible with the Christian faith and that believers must actively avoid it.

The Dangers of Idolatrous Objects in the Home

The presence of idolatrous objects in a believer's home can lead to spiritual compromise. In 2 Kings 23:24 , King Josiah's reforms included the removal of idolatrous items: "Furthermore, Josiah removed the mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, in order to carry out the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD."

This action by Josiah serves as a model for believers, demonstrating the importance of purging one's environment of anything that could lead to idolatry. The removal of such objects is seen as a necessary step in maintaining a pure and devoted relationship with God.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate is clear: idolatry in any form is a serious offense against God. Believers are called to guard their hearts and homes against anything that could lead them away from true worship. By adhering to these principles, Christians can ensure that their devotion remains solely focused on the Lord.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 7:26
Neither shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be a cursed thing like it: but you shall utterly detest it, and you shall utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Fiery Furnace
... with the established forms of idolatry recognized as ... the punishment awaiting them
if they should persist in ... of evil cannot destroy the weakest of God's saints. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 41 the fiery furnace.htm

Letter xxix. (AD 395. )
... adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred ...
most suitably celebrate the saints' days. ... however, any slight should seem to be ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xxix a d 395.htm

Baptismal Regeneration
... in regeneration by this operation, whether saints or sinners ... is no marvel that Popery
should increase when ... the sacredness of places, which is idolatry; for to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/baptismal regeneration.htm

Whether this Sacrament Ought to be Celebrated in a House and with ...
... that altars, in which no relics of saints are found ... unhewn stones, this was given
in order to remove idolatry. ... the Lord's chalice with the paten should be made ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether this sacrament ought to 2.htm

In Our Last Chapter we Sought to Show that in Rev. . .
... of gold, and that the final Babylon should be denominated ... the blood of prophets,
and of saints, and of ... production of covetousness ("which is idolatry" " Col.3 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in our last chapter we.htm

Our First Proposition Was, that There is Satisfactory Evidence ...
... if a Gentile, he found his idolatry and polytheism ... same derangement of the mental
organs should seize different ... wrought by relics, and at the tombs of saints. ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter i our first proposition.htm

A Warning Rejected.
... of Rome were ever guilty of idolatry in relation ... word against the rising veneration
of saints and martyrs ... receive "strong delusion, that they should believe a ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /21 a warning rejected.htm

A Warning Rejected
... of Rome were ever guilty of idolatry in relation ... word against the rising veneration
of saints and martyrs ... receive "strong delusion, that they should believe a ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 21 a warning rejected.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... people of Israel, who fell into idolatry by offering ... This the saints of God have
felt when called ... the extreme of maintaining that Covenanting should be engaged ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.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