Topical Bible: Idolatry: They Who Practise: Have Fellowship With Devils

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Idolatry, in the biblical context, is the worship of idols or the elevation of anything or anyone to a status that rivals or replaces the worship of the one true God. It is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, often associated with spiritual adultery and rebellion against God. Those who engage in idolatry are described as having fellowship with devils, as they turn away from the worship of God to serve false gods and demonic entities.

The Apostle Paul addresses this issue in his first letter to the Corinthians, where he warns believers about the dangers of idolatry and its association with demonic forces. In 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 , Paul writes, "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."

This passage highlights the spiritual reality that idolatry is not merely a misguided religious practice but a communion with demonic powers. By participating in idolatrous rituals, individuals are, in essence, aligning themselves with the spiritual forces of darkness, which stand in opposition to God.

The Old Testament also provides numerous examples of idolatry being equated with demonic activity. In Deuteronomy 32:17 , Moses recounts how the Israelites "sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear." This verse underscores the notion that idolatry involves the worship of entities that are not only false but also malevolent.

The prophets frequently condemned the practice of idolatry among the Israelites, warning of the spiritual and moral corruption it brings. In Psalm 106:36-37 , the psalmist laments, "They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons." Here, the connection between idolatry and demonic influence is made explicit, as the worship of idols leads to heinous acts and spiritual bondage.

Throughout Scripture, idolatry is portrayed as a grave sin that provokes God's wrath and leads to severe consequences. The practice of idolatry is not only a violation of the first commandment but also an invitation to spiritual deception and enslavement by demonic forces. Believers are thus urged to remain vigilant and steadfast in their devotion to God, rejecting all forms of idolatry and the fellowship with devils that it entails.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 4:12
My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declares to them: for the spirit of prostitutions has caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning the Communion, or Participation of the Body and Blood ...
... blood of Christ, dehorts them from idolatry, and partaking ... with real conscience towards
God, did practise this ceremony ... not doubt to affirm but they might be ...
/.../proposition xiii concerning the communion.htm

Concerning Worship.
... For this kind of idolatry, whereby man loveth, idolizeth, and ... stir in them; that
they may come to practise this acceptable ... But against this worship they object ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... off, though they do hear and look on, and practise lesser things ... Of their silver
and their gold have they made them idols.' The sin of idolatry threw their ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... worship and offer gifts, [2604] in order that idolatry might be ... on a wine-jar, that
is, to practise ourselves in ... us, as men of no account, they have forsaken us ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... and Martial have been contaminated by the abominable certificate of idolatry. ... diligent
in purchasing entrance to the prison than they who have lost the ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... do find in most such a spirit of whoredom and idolatry concerning the ... them 'from
a thread even to a shoe-latchet,"lest they should say, We have made Abram ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... enables a Christian to understand and practise and advance ... of forsaking the true
God for idolatry was called ... adherents of Philip by saying, They were called ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... is to commit most gross and horrible idolatry: For albeit ... "Ye shall be as gods."
When souls have begun to ... mind, and hardness of heart, that now they can listen ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

part ii
... And if they have, then why do they not care for it, why do they not think of its
salvation?"for it is given up to innumerable sins which constitute its death ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... had long before, as is reported, forsaken the error of idolatry, and embraced the ...
Thy power, which the people called by Thy name claim that they have proved to ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm