Topical Bible: Idolatry: Saints should not Partake of Any Thing Connected With

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Idolatry, in its essence, is the worship or reverence of anything other than the one true God. It is a practice that has been consistently condemned throughout the Scriptures, as it diverts honor and devotion away from God, who alone is worthy of worship. The Bible provides numerous warnings and teachings regarding the dangers and consequences of idolatry, urging believers to remain steadfast in their devotion to God and to abstain from any form of idol worship.

The Old Testament is replete with admonitions against idolatry. The first of the Ten Commandments explicitly states, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). This command underscores the exclusivity of worship that God demands from His people. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations. In Deuteronomy 7:25-26, God commands, "You must burn up the 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 will be set apart for destruction like it. You must utterly detest and abhor it, for it is set apart for destruction."

The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing that idolatry is incompatible with the life of a believer. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently addresses the issue of idolatry, urging Christians to flee from it. In 1 Corinthians 10:14, Paul writes, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." He further elaborates on the incompatibility of idolatry with Christian worship in 1 Corinthians 10:20-21: "No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons."

The Apostle John also warns against idolatry in his epistles. In 1 John 5:21, he succinctly advises, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." This exhortation serves as a reminder of the constant vigilance required to maintain purity in worship and devotion.

Idolatry is not limited to the worship of physical idols or images. It can manifest in various forms, including the elevation of material possessions, personal ambitions, or even relationships above God. Colossians 3:5 admonishes believers to "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry." This passage highlights the broader understanding of idolatry as anything that takes precedence over God in one's life.

The early church fathers and subsequent Christian teachings have consistently upheld the biblical stance against idolatry. They have emphasized the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth, as Jesus instructed in John 4:24: "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

In summary, the Bible unequivocally teaches that saints should not partake of anything connected with idolatry. Believers are called to a life of exclusive devotion to God, avoiding any practices or influences that could lead them away from true worship. The consistent biblical message is one of separation from idolatry and a call to holiness, as God desires a people set apart for Himself.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 10:19,20
What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Psalm CXLVII.
... nations were given up to sin, to idolatry, to the ... deliver them, and the number of
the saints who bear ... for a pattern to them that hereafter should believe on ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlvii.htm

The Mystery
... idolatrous beast, of warring with the saints, he exercises ... that is, free from all
stain of idolatry. ... mode of analogy fully requires that these should be called ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... upon him; and the title of the saints who had ... These, dissuading from idolatry,[429]
taught the necessity of ... teaches that such a profession should not merely be ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... sleep, [401]545; pointing out where things should be found ... Examples (see Saints),
how to be judged of, [1200 ... Flesh and blood, shall not inherit the kingdom of God ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... will surely tell you that it does partake of it ... offer gifts, [2604] in order that
idolatry might be ... in such wise that his gentleness should not enervate, nor ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

The Doctrine of Jesus Christ.
... would be nothing short of sacrilegious idolatry if Christ ... The sins of the Old Testament
saints, which during all ... were afraid "that his disciples should come by ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of jesus christ.htm

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... carrying misery into the hearts and families of God's saints. ... For, 1. His whole life
was idolatry, cruelty, and ... I should now come to the second conclusion, viz ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... head, and shown the source and origin of all idolatry. ... of the heaven, The flesh of
thy saints unto the ... All these passages should be carefully read and noted. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

Zwingli's Distinctive Doctrines.
... Jews, and that, together with the saints of the ... that even 'the godless Numa' (!)
should be saved ... notwithstanding his abhorrence of heathen idolatry and every ...
/.../ 52 zwinglis distinctive doctrines.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... teach us, one Holy Spirit, who moved the saints of the ... some have arisen various sports,
races, and contests, it is not proper that they should be destroyed ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm