Idolatry is condemned in both the Old and New Testaments (Exodus 20:3-6; 1 Corinthians 6:9). There are a number of things that have the potential of becoming idols for us if we allow them. They are not limited to graven images but could include things like money, possessions, careers, and even people. The warning issued by John at the end of his first epistle – “Little children, guard yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21) – remains an important reminder for Christians today.
With the danger of idolatry being a reality and having the divinely given warning in mind, let us notice a few facts about idols.
Idols compete with God for our allegiance and devotion – The prohibition of idolatry given in the Ten Commandments was based upon the fact that God is “a jealous God” (Exodus 20:5). He will not accept our divided allegiance. Jesus pointed out the need to choose one or the other when He spoke of one prominent idol today – wealth: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth” (Matthew 6:24). We cannot ride the fence, but must follow the Lord wholeheartedly (Matthew 22:36-37). Idols pull our hearts away from God.
Idols are nothing – To make the point that there was no sin inherent in one eating meat that had been sacrificed to an idol, Paul gave this reason: “We know that there is no such things as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one” (1 Corinthians 8:4). Idols hold no significance other than what we assign to them. On one hand, the golden calf made by Aaron for the Israelites was just a statue; but the people assigned some greater significance to this statue in their minds: “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt” (Exodus 32:4). If we are to guard ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21), we must guard our minds that we would not treat anything as if it were a god.
Idols have to be made – The account of the golden calf began with the people making a request of Aaron: “Come, make us a god who will go before us” (Exodus 32:1). All idols have to be made – either physically like a graven image (Isaiah 44:9-17) or mentally as we assign undue importance to things that pertain to this life (Colossians 3:5). Idols did not exist before man; rather, they were made by man. They will also be among the things that will be destroyed when this world comes to an end (2 Peter 3:10).
Idols allow man to do anything he wants – As the Israelites engaged in the worship of the golden calf, their behavior was affected: “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play” (Exodus 32:6). Because the idol was made by man and assigned some degree of significance by man, it would naturally approve of whatever man wanted to do. Paul warned about “self-made religion” (Colossians 2:23) in which man could follow any commands he wished in his religious service. Idolatry certainly qualifies as “self-made religion.” Whatever man wishes to do, his idol will allow him to do it in good conscience.
Idols take but give no blessing in return – Again, using the example of the golden calf, notice what was required of the people in order to fashion this idol: “Tear off the gold rings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me” (Exodus 32:2). This gold that was collected would be used to make the golden calf (Exodus 32:4). These people sacrificially gave their gold for the idol. The idol never gave them anything in return. Contrast that with God who requires sacrifice, but blesses far more abundantly than what man gives to Him (Malachi 3:8-10). For our service and sacrifice to Him in this life, God offers us “an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). No idol can offer this or any other blessing to us, no matter how much we sacrifice for that false god.
Idols stand between man and salvation – Paul wrote, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” He included idolaters in this list of those who are unrighteous (1 Corinthians 6:9). We are told of idolaters, as well as others: “Their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). If we do not surrender our idols – whatever they may be – we cannot be saved.
You must make a choice. Will you serve the one, true God who made the heavens and the earth? Or will you serve a false god? The wise choice is apparent. Will you forsake all to follow the Lord?
