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The Problems in Personal Evangelism
32. WHAT ABOUT IDOL WORSHIP?
The worship of idols is the result of the rejection of the one, true,
invisible
God.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are
clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal
power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Because that,
when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were
thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart
was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made
like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and
creeping things... Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and
worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is
blessed for ever. Amen. - Rom 1:20-25
The worship of idols is a worship of convenience.
A CONSCIENCE TO APPEASE: Man, being made in the image of
God, has a moral consciousness in which he must appease and
atone for his sins and crimes. He must do something that says that
he has duly paid for his wrongdoings and misdeeds. Since he has
subconsciously rejected the one, true, invisible God whose
standards and demands are just too high for him, he then resorts to
the worship of something more to his convenience. He wants a god
whom he can worship on his own terms and conditions, and the
worship of idols fits that mindset - idols have no standards orplaced on their devotees. The worshippers can, to a certain
extent, do what they please and subsequently appease the idols
with a regular offering for their sins and, in turn, seek their ( the
idols' ) blessings.
A CONVENIENCE TO SIN: Generally speaking, the bulk of idol-worshippers
have little compunction about lying, cheating, gambling,
womanizing and the many other vices they are fond of indulging in.
As long as the idols are appeased, they have some liberty to
continue in their sins.
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served
the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever, Amen. For
this cause God gave them up unto vile affections... And even as they
did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a
reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being
filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity;
whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters... - Rom
1:25-32
The worship of idols is also a worship of superstition.
A WRONG PERCEPTION: Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars'
hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too
superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found
an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom
therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made
the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and
earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped
with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to
all life, and breath, and all things.- Acts 17:22-25
God, who made the whole universe, cannot be contained in a statue
nor does He need to be "fed" with offerings or be carried about
everywhere.
A WRONG MOTIVATION: The two main motives for the majority
of idol-worshippers are for "protection" and "prosperity", or because
of "fear" and "favor". Generally speaking, there is no real, personal
or love relationship with the idols.
The worship of idols is, in reality, a worship of the devils.
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice
to
devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship
with devils. - 1 Cor 10:20
God hates the worship of idols.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto
thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven
above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the
earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them... - Exod
20:3-5
Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an
abomination unto the LORD... - Deut 27:15
All idols are the product of human imagination.
A made God is no God. - Matthew Henry.
Table of Contents Question 33: What About Astrology, Necromancy, Paranormal Activities, UFOs, Extraterrestrial Beings, Etc?
