CONCEPT

Idolatry

There is ever in the human mind a craving for visible forms to express religious conceptions, and this tendency does not disappear with the acceptance, or even with the constant recognition, of pure spiritual truths (see IMAGES). Idolatry originally meant the worship of idols, or the worship of false gods by means of idols, but came to mean among the Old Testament Hebrews any worship of false gods, whether by images or otherwise, and finally the worship of Yahweh through visible symbols (Hosea 8:5,6; 10:5); and ultimately in the New Testament idolatry came to mean, not only the giving to any creature or human creation the honor or devotion which belonged to God alone, but the giving to any human desire a precedence over God's will (1 Corinthians 10:14; Galatians 5:20; Colossians 3:5; 1 Peter 4:3). The neighboring gods of Phoenicia, Canaan, Moab--Baal, Melkart, Astarte, Chemosh, Moloch, etc.--were particularly attractive to Jerusalem, while the old Semitic calf-worship seriously affected the state religion of the Northern Kingdom (see GOLDEN CALF). As early as the Assyrian and Babylonian periods (8th and 7th centuries BC), various deities from the Tigris and Euphrates had intruded themselves--the worship of Tammuz becoming a little later the most popular and seductive of all (Ezekiel 8:14)--while the worship of the sun, moon, stars and signs of the Zodiac became so intensely fascinating that these were introduced even into the temple itself (2 Kings 17:16; 21:3-7; 23:4,12; Jeremiah 19:13; Ezekiel 8:16; Amos 5:26).

The special enticements to idolatry as offered by these various cults were found in their deification of natural forces and their appeal to primitive human desires, especially the sexual; also through associations produced by intermarriage and through the appeal to patriotism, when the help of some cruel deity was sought in time of war. Baal and Astarte worship, which was especially attractive, was closely associated with fornication and drunkenness (Amos 2:7,8; compare 1 Kings 14:23), and also appealed greatly to magic and soothsaying (e.g. Isaiah 2:6; 3:2; 8:19).

Sacrifices to the idols were offered by fire (Hosea 4:13); libations were poured out (Isaiah 57:6; Jeremiah 7:18); the first-fruits of the earth and tithes were presented (Hosea 2:8); tables of food were set before them (Isaiah 65:11); the worshippers kissed the idols or threw them kisses (1 Kings 19:18; Hosea 13:2; Job 31:27); stretched out their hands in adoration (Isaiah 44:20); knelt or prostrated themselves before them and sometimes danced about the altar, gashing themselves with knives (1 Kings 18:26,28; for a fuller summary see EB).

Even earlier than the Babylonian exile the Hebrew prophets taught that Yahweh was not only superior to all other gods, but reigned alone as God, other deities being nonentities (Leviticus 19:4; Isaiah 2:8,18,20; 19:1,3; 31:7; 44:9-20). The severe satire of this period proves that the former fear of living demons supposed to inhabit the idols had disappeared. These prophets also taught that the temple, ark and sacrifices were not essential to true spiritual worship (e.g. Jeremiah 3:16; Amos 5:21-25). These prophecies produced a strong reaction against the previously popular idol-worship, though later indications of this worship are not infrequent (Ezekiel 14:1-8; Isaiah 42:17). The Maccabean epoch placed national heroism plainly on the side of the one God, Yahweh; and although Greek and Egyptian idols were worshipped in Gaza and Ascalon and other half-heathen communities clear down to the 5th or 6th century of the Christian era, yet in orthodox centers like Jerusalem these were despised and repudiated utterly from the 2nd century BC onward.

See also GOLDEN CALF; GODS; IMAGES; TERAPHIM.

LITERATURE.

Wm. Wake, A Discourse concerning the Nature of Idolatry, 1688; W.R. Smith, Lectures on the Religion of the Semites; E.B. Tylor, Primitive Culture; J.G. Frazer, Golden Bough (3 vols); L.R. Farnell, Evolution of Religion, 1905; Baudissin, Studien zur semitischen Religionsgeschichte; Beathgen, Der Gott Israels u. die Gotter der Heiden, 1888.

Camden M. Cobern

▶Sermons

Audio

The Christian View of Sports (To the Parents)
Alex Marini · 1:29:37
The Christian view of sports should be done in a way that honors God and does not distract from spiritual pursuits.
Putting Idols Away
Annie Poonen · 51:43
Annie Poonen teaches that believers must identify and remove the idols in their hearts, maintain a close daily connection with Jesus, and trust God's plan through trials for His glory.
Crushing Idols and Communing With God
Anthony Mathenia · 1:09:03
Anthony Mathenia teaches that true communion with God requires crushing idols in our hearts and lives, exemplified by Moses' intercession for Israel amidst their idolatry.
Are You a Christian Nationalist
Anton Bosch · 1:00:18
Anton Bosch warns against the idolatry of Christian nationalism, emphasizing that true salvation is individual and rooted in Jesus Christ, not in any nation or political system.
Christian Idols - Self
Anton Bosch · 53:59
Anton Bosch warns that the idol of self is a subtle yet serious form of idolatry that Christians must confront to truly worship God and reject self-centeredness.
Is Your Family an Idol
Anton Bosch · 56:29
Anton Bosch warns that when family becomes more important than God, it becomes an idol that hinders true obedience and salvation.
Tulsa 2000 - Part 1
Art Katz · 1:17:40
Art Katz passionately warns of Israel's persistent sin and impending judgment while calling for heartfelt repentance and restoration, emphasizing the church's responsibility to boldly proclaim God's truth.
False Gods
B.B. Caldwell · 45:32
B.B. Caldwell's sermon 'False Gods' warns against the dangers of idolatry and emphasizes the necessity of placing God first in our lives.
Family God's Way #3 - Worldly Threats to Family
Bob Hoekstra · 58:33
The world is posing serious threats to family God's way, and we must be aware of idols and false gods, including self-love and money worship, and deny ourselves to follow Jesus.
The Glory Of God Departing
Brian Long · 49:35
Brian Long teaches that the glory of God departs due to sin and idolatry among His people but returns when the King of glory, Jesus Christ, takes His rightful place in the church.
A Portrait No Artist Can Paint
C.H. Spurgeon · 40:35
The sermon emphasizes the importance of being held up in Christ's right hand, representing faithfulness to Him, and the power of the gospel residing in Christ Himself.
Broken Cisterns
Chuck Smith · 43:10
The sermon emphasizes the importance of worshiping God and the consequences of forsaking Him, highlighting the difference between living water and stagnant water.

Video

Audio： A Call To Us
Basilea Schlink · 4:35
Basilea Schlink calls believers to forsake idols and wholeheartedly serve the jealous, loving God with undivided devotion.

Text

Epbraim, He Hath Mixed Himself
A.B. Simpson
A God-centered life allows you to use material blessings for His glory and to extend His love and grace to others.
Jesus and Idols?
Allan Halton
The sermon warns against the dangers of idolatry, particularly the idolatry of self and covetousness, and encourages listeners to focus on God's love and holiness to avoid these pitfalls.
Professional Sports-idolatry
Allan Halton
The speaker argues that professional sports is a form of idolatry and that Christians should separate themselves from it.
What Have I to Do With Idols?
Arno Clemens Gaebelein
The only way to be separated from idols and walk wholly with the Lord is to hear and observe Him.
Mt. Sinai Versus the Cross of Christ
Art Katz
The sermon challenges listeners to move beyond the limitations of the revelation at Sinai and to understand God's true nature through the Cross of Christ.
Princess Diana's Funeral as Global Event: A Prophetic Comment
Art Katz
Art Katz's sermon critiques the global idolization of Princess Diana, urging the Church to reflect on its implications for faith and society.
Star Wars 'The Phantom Menace': An Ultimate Idolatry?
Art Katz
The promotion of Star Wars is a manifestation of idolatry and greed, and Christians should resist this plague by abstaining from participating in it.
The 'God' of This Generation
A.W. Pink
The false god of this generation is a figment of human imagination, lacking the characteristics of the true God, and merits nothing but contempt.
The Second Commandment
A.W. Pink
A.W. Pink's sermon on the Second Commandment emphasizes the prohibition of idolatry and the importance of true worship in spirit and truth.
Beyond the Symbols
A.W. Tozer
The sermon warns against the dangers of symbolism in church, emphasizing the need for a genuine experience of the Presence of Christ.
Loving God Only
A.W. Tozer
The sermon emphasizes the importance of loving God with every power of our entire being, and how this love should be exclusive and not accompanied by other priorities.
Trusting the Completely Trustworthy God
A.W. Tozer
The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting a completely trustworthy God, and the need for repentance and faith in order to reconcile with Him.
Manasseh Pridefully Rebelling Against the Lord
Bob Hoekstra
Manasseh's prideful rebellion against the Lord led to his downfall and captivity, serving as a warning to us to listen to God's voice and resist the world's influence.
Household Gods
Catherine Booth
The sermon warns against the dangers of household gods, specifically the gods of fashion, ease, and gain, and calls Christians to serve God and humanity.
Do Men Make Their Own Gods?
C.H. Spurgeon
The sermon warns against the sin of idolatry, highlighting its dangers and the need for repentance.
Shall a Man Make Gods Unto Himself
C.H. Spurgeon
The sermon warns against the tendency to idolatry in believers, highlighting the dangers of doting on favourite children and the folly of worshiping false deities.
Idolatry and the Fear of God
Charles Finney
The sermon emphasizes the importance of serving the Lord and not serving one's own gods, highlighting the difference between the fear of the Lord and a slavish fear.