Topical Bible: Idolatry: They Who Practise are Mad Upon It

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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. It is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, often depicted as a grievous sin that leads individuals and nations away from the covenant relationship with God. The Bible consistently warns against idolatry, emphasizing its futility and the spiritual madness it induces in those who practice it.

The prophet Jeremiah vividly describes the irrationality of idolatry, stating, "Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a lie, and there is no breath in them" (Jeremiah 10:14). This passage highlights the absurdity of worshipping lifeless objects crafted by human hands, which possess neither power nor divinity.

In the book of Isaiah, the prophet mocks the folly of idol worship, illustrating the process by which a craftsman uses part of a tree to warm himself and cook his food, while the rest he fashions into a god to worship. Isaiah writes, "They know nothing and understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand" (Isaiah 44:18). This blindness and lack of understanding underscore the spiritual madness that accompanies idolatry.

The apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, further expounds on the consequences of idolatry, explaining that those who exchange the truth of God for a lie and worship created things rather than the Creator are given over to a depraved mind. He writes, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen" (Romans 1:25). This exchange leads to a distortion of moral and spiritual perception, resulting in a life that is contrary to God's design.

The Old Testament is replete with examples of Israel's struggle with idolatry, often leading to divine judgment. The golden calf incident at Mount Sinai (Exodus 32) and the worship of Baal during the reign of King Ahab (1 Kings 18) are notable instances where the Israelites turned from God to idols, provoking His wrath and resulting in severe consequences.

The New Testament continues to warn believers against idolatry, urging them to flee from it. The apostle John admonishes, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21). This exhortation serves as a reminder of the ever-present danger of idolatry, not only in the form of physical idols but also in the elevation of anything that takes precedence over God in one's life.

Idolatry is not merely an ancient practice but remains a relevant issue in contemporary society. It manifests in various forms, such as materialism, the pursuit of power, and the idolization of self. The Bible calls believers to recognize the madness of idolatry and to worship God alone, who is worthy of all honor and praise.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 50:38
A drought is on her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad on their idols.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

De Decretis or Defence of the Nicene Definition
... not that?" Yet wonder not if now they practise thus; for in ... he speaks of "the Greek
idolatry as full of all ... incur the charge of Atheism,' because they know not ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/de decretis or defence of.htm

Place of Jesus in the History of the World.
... accepted all governments which permitted it to practise freely its ... in Egypt and Syria
to a gross idolatry, and in ... They were the most orthodox even, who did not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter i place of jesus.htm

Conclusion
... these: Adultery fornication uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred ...
to our youth, so that they would receive ... and thus would practise them from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/conclusion.htm

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
... destroying His ordinances, and building up idolatry, which did so ... by the three wise
men, that they had learned ... things mark, what hath been the practise of the ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/knox the first temptation.htm

An Exhortation to Peace and Unity
... Oh how zealous were these to practise, and, with one ... he mainly insisted upon some
one sin, as idolatry, and shedding ... of the rest; not but that they were guilty ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exhortation to peace and.htm

The Treatise
... of God, the other only makes worse idolatry and the ... to the ban, accurse, rob, murder,
and practise all their wickedness, in whatever way they please and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/the treatise.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... honour the eternal God and their parents; they love chastity and the bed undefiled,
nor ever practise the shameful ... But a day shall come when idolatry shall be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

Oration on the Holy Lights.
... but besides fleeing from evil, practise virtue, making ... covetousness, which is a second
idolatry; but he ... their own destruction, how can they foretell anything ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxix oration on the.htm

Authority and the Adventurer
... social vigilance and tireless pursuit of practise, we cannot ... carved Artemis, the
Romans when they robed the ... has flung itself into a generous idolatry of sexual ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/ix authority and the adventurer.htm

Twenty-Seven Articles Respecting the Reformation of the Christian ...
... God's work and of faith, soon began to set up idolatry and their ... so long as you have
money, no further; and yet they are not ashamed to practise all this ...
/.../iii twenty-seven articles respecting the.htm