s Se r m o n 8 s

God & Idolatry

Text: 1 Co­rin­thians 10:14–22. Such a message is very relevant in our world today, which is still largely given to idolatry. aul had previously told the Corinthian Many revere gods, spirits, or powers other than brethren that it was acceptable for them the Lord God of the Bible. P to eat meat that had been offered to idols, as long as no spiritual harm was done either to The TEaching of the Bible fellow Christians or to outsiders.1 However, in Concerning IDOLATRY 10:14–22, the apostle drew a line which Christians Idolatry is a prevalent theme in both the Old were not to cross. They could not participate in and the New Testaments. What, specifically, does pagan religious activities: the Bible say about idolatry?

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I Idolatry Is Intolerable to God speak as to wise men; you judge what I say. Is God told the Israelites, “I am the Lo r d your not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other is one bread, we who are many are one body; gods before Me” (Exodus 20:2, 3). This was the for we all partake of the one bread. Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices first of His Ten Commandments. Through Moses, sharers in the altar? What do I mean then? That God told His people just before they entered the a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an Promised Land, idol is anything? No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to You shall fear only the Lo r d your God; and you demons and not to God; and I do not want you shall worship Him and swear by His name. You to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you the peoples who surround you, for the Lo r d cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to otherwise the anger of the Lo r d your God will jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we? be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off (10:14–22). the face of the earth (Deuteronomy 6:13–15).2

1The principle that allowed Christians to eat meat The prohibition of idolatry included forbid­ offered to idols also allows us to participate in activities ding the manufacture and worship of idols. that might have connections with idolatry, as long as reli­ gious services are not involved and no one—neither Chris­ This was the second of the Ten Commandments tian nor outsider—can be harmed spiritually. This prin­ (Exodus 20:4–6). The Israelites were not even to ciple allows Christians to call the months and the days of the weeks by their ordinary names, even though many of those names originated with pagan gods. Further, it permits 2This passage was quoted by Jesus in Matthew 4:10 Christians to engage in many common practices (such as (see also Exodus 23:24a). For other laws forbidding mak­ the celebration of holidays) which were first rooted in ing or worshiping idols, see Exodus 34:17; Leviticus 19:4; idolatrous beliefs but whose association with other gods 26:1; Deuteronomy 4:15–19, 25, 26; 11:16, 17, 28; 16:21, 22; and spirits have long been forgotten. 27:15; 30:17, 18.

1 mention the names of other gods (Exodus 23:13). (1 Co­rin­thians 5:11). The ultimate destiny of Tied closely to the law prohibiting idolatry were those who persist in idolatry—whether they are ordinances which forbade sorcery and other known as Christians or not—“will be in the lake forms of witchcraft (Leviticus 19:26b, 31; 20:6; that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the Deuteronomy 18:9–14).3 second death” (Revelation 21:8). Those who want The penalty for idolatry was death, both for to serve God, obey Him, and be saved eternally the individual (Exodus 22:20) and for the nation must refuse to acknowledge or worship any god (Deuteronomy 6:14, 15; see 1 Kings 9:6–9). So that but the one God of the Bible, the Lord of heaven the Israelites would not be tempted to worship and earth! other gods, they were told to destroy the na­ tions in Canaan when they conquered the land Idolatry Is Incompatible (Exodus 23:23, 24). In fact, because they failed to With the Worship of God drive the people out of the land completely, the The Bible teaches that the practice of idolatry Israelites became idolatrous and their own na­ is incompatible with the worship of the Lord tion was eventually destroyed (2 Kings 17:7–18). God. Paul made exactly that point when he said, One writer described their situation well: “The “You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and sense of Scripture was to destroy idolatry or be the table of demons [idols]” (1 Co­rin­thians destroyed by it.”4 10:21b). He meant that one cannot please God by In the New Testament, we are reminded that professing to follow Him while also worshiping 7 there is only “one God” (Ephesians 4:6)—that some other god. “there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and That idea is a major biblical theme. God is that there is no God but one” (1 Co­rinthians­ 8:4b).5 a jealous God (Deuteronomy 5:9a); He tolerates Inspired first-century evangelists urged people no rivals. “You shall have no other gods before to “turn from these vain things [idols] to a living Me” (Exodus 20:3) means not only that we must God, who made the heaven and the earth” (Acts not forsake Him to worship other gods, but also 14:15; see 17:22–31). Gentile Christians had come that we are to have no other gods in addition to out of idolatry. The Thessalonians, for example, Him or along with Him. had “turned to God from idols to serve a living The fact that God does not approve of wor­ and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9b; see also shiping other gods along with Him is a truth 1 Corin­ thians­ 12:2). Consequently, they were told which God’s people have always tended to for­ to have nothing more to do with idolatry; they get. In Old Testament times, Israel did not re­ were to “flee from idolatry” (1 Co­rin­thians 10:14; nounce their faith in the Lord and worship other see also 1 John 5:21; 1 Peter 4:3)6 and were warned gods instead. Rather, they were inclined to add that idolaters were among those who would not other gods to their worship of the Lord God. For inherit the kingdom of God (1 Co­rin­thians 6:9; instance, “priests offered sacrifices to Baal [a see Galatians 5:19–21). Idol-worshipers were false god] and Yahweh [the Lord God] and idols subject to church discipline, along with immoral were erected in the temple itself (2 Chron. 15:16; 8 and covetous church members and Christians Jer. 32:34; Ezek. 8:5–11).” who were revilers, drunkards, and swindlers Today, Christians are also unlikely to reject God openly and transfer their allegiance to 3Those who practiced sorcery or gave false prophe­ other gods; but many serve other gods in addi­ cies were to be put to death (Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 20:27; tion to worshiping Him. Christians tend to serve Deuteronomy 13:5). mammon (or money) along with God, in disobe­ 4Robert D. Spender, “Idol, Idolatry,” in Baker’s Theo- logical Dictionary of the Bible, ed. Walter A. Elwell (Grand dience to His command. Some African churches Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2000), 364. 5Paul went on to explain, “For even if there are so- 7Compare Jesus’ statement “You cannot serve God and called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there wealth” (Matthew 6:24). are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one 8Spender, 364. Regarding altars for false gods built in God” (1 Co­rin­thians 8:5, 6a). In saying, “There is no such the temple, see also 2 Kings 21:3–5. Israel’s idolatrous prac­ thing as an idol,” he obviously meant that idols have no tices, committed while they were still ostensibly serving living existence. They are not alive as God is. and worshiping the Lord, are pointed out in many pas­ 6See also Matthew 4:10, where Jesus endorsed the sages. (See, for instance, Isaiah 57:6; 65:11; Jeremiah 7:17, worship of God alone. 18; 19:13; 32:29; 44:17, 19, 25; Ezekiel 20:28–31.)

2 also have a common problem, according to Wen­ Idols Are Incomparable to God dell Broom, a missionary with many years of The Bible teaches that idols cannot be com­ experience on that continent. In an interview he pared to God. The prophets of Israel showed that said, idols are not worthy of worship. Likewise, Paul said, they are not really “anything” (1 Co­rin­thians What has happened in Africa is that the old 10:19): They have no real existence and no life; gods have gone underground, so that apparently faithful church members still, in a time of illness they are powerless. or disaster, revert quickly to the old gods. Many The contrast between the one true God and Christians go to the village “prayer houses” idols was clearly illustrated by the contest be­ [where idolaters meet and worship]. Many Christians also are members of these prayer tween Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount houses and offer sacrifices at these houses.9 Carmel. Baal’s prophets called upon their god for hours, crying loudly, leaping around the Henry Huffard, another long-time missionary to altar, and cutting themselves to get their god’s Africa, agreed, saying, attention—but no response came. “There was no voice and no one answered” (1 Kings 18:26–29). If calamity strikes, the Christian is tempted to Elijah’s prayer, in contrast, was offered once, cover all bases. If prayer to God doesn’t seem to and the Lord God answered powerfully (1 Kings be working, he can visit a shaman (Ju-ju priest, or whatever the name) or go to a “prayer house” 18:36–38). What a demonstration of Baal’s impo­ and find out who cursed him and begin the tence and God’s power! The people cried out, process of sacrificing, using charms or in some “The Lo r d [Yahweh], He is God; the Lo r d , He is way working with the spirits to remove the curse. Members of the church of Christ know God” (1 Kings 18:39). God is alive; He can hear, it is wrong to go this route, but often family and He is powerful. False gods cannot hear or members or in-laws will apply great pressure answer because they have no power; they have for them to conform to traditional ways. Fear in no real existence. a form we can hardly comprehend plays a part in this. . . . There is a great temptation especially The biblical writers concurred with this con­ in rural settings to do as Israel and worship the clusion. Idols have “no breath. . . . are worthless spirits of the land as well as Jehovah. Christians . . . [and] will perish” (Jeremiah 51:17, 18; see 10:14, sneak away to prayer houses or go to traditional sites to appease spirits.10 15); they are “dead” (Psalm 106:28); they cannot deliver their own people (2 Chronicles 25:15; see God does not accept partial allegiance. He is also Jeremiah 11:12b); they cannot speak, see, a jealous God and will not share His followers hear, smell, feel, walk, or make a sound (Psalm with any other god. His people must serve Him 115:4–8). In fact, they can do neither harm nor with all their beings. As Moses conveyed God’s good (Jeremiah 10:5). words to His people, he said, “Hear, O Israel! The greatest difference between God and The Lo r d is our God, the Lo r d is one! You shall idols is that He made everything, including man love the Lo r d your God with all your heart and (Genesis 1), while idols are made by man. Isaiah with all your soul and with all your might” (Deut­ stressed this difference, describing in detail the eronomy 6:4, 5; emphasis mine).11 Christians work the craftsman puts into making an idol. involved in pagan religious practices must un­ Then, ironically, the maker of the idol bows down derstand that those practices are incompatible and worships the thing that he himself has made! with Christianity! Anyone who wants to be a (See Isaiah 44:9–20; see also 40:19, 20; Jeremiah Christian must altogether renounce his former 10:1–16; Habakkuk 2:18–20.) associations with idolatrous practices. Not only is it wrong to worship an idol, but it is also foolish. People who bow down to idols made of wood or stone or who seek the help of the spirits or the ancestors must be challenged. 9Broom. Some of these Christians claim to believe that Christianity is the true religion—but, just in case the ancestral We might ask them, “Do you really think that gods and spirits have real power, they continue to honor your god can help you? Can your god really them as well as God. make you well? Can it, in fact, do anything?” 10Henry Huffard, personal e-mail to Coy Roper, 6 March 2006. They need to learn about the God who made the 11Compare Matthew 6:24; 12:30; 22:37. heavens and the earth, who lives eternally, and

3 who helps mankind. able. “God is faithful” (1 Co­rin­thians In light of the biblical teachings on the subject, 10:13). how should Christians react to idolatry? Since • He is all-powerful (Jeremiah 32:17; Ephe­ Christ is against idolatry, Christians must also be sians 3:20). He is the One who made the against it. Like the prophets, Christians ought to world and everything in it (Acts 14:15). engage in a war on idolatry. Instead of tolerating • He is benevolent. How do we know? The idolatrous behavior, we must do everything we Bible tells us so. “God is love” (1 John can, within the bounds of righteous behavior, to 4:8). The world itself bears witness to the stamp out the influence of idolatry—especially benevolent nature of the one true God within the church.12 In ancient times, God’s people (Acts 14:17). were destroyed because of idolatry. Today the • He is always available (Acts 17:27, 28). If we church’s response to idolatry may determine approach God as He directs, we need never whether it lives or dies. According to Broom, wonder what the results will be. God is “Idolatry was the fatal issue for the Old Testa­ there, He hears, and He acts consistently ment people of God and could be for African with His Word and His will. His actions churches today.”13 toward us are always based on love.

Turning from Idols The Person of Christ to the True GOD Another reason to forsake idolatry and turn While we oppose idolatry, we must let idola­ to God is seen in the person of Jesus Christ. ters know that God loves them (John 3:16). Christ Christians know about the God of the universe wants to save them (Luke 19:10; Mark 16:15, 16). because He has made Himself known by sending The invitation of Christ is extended to those who His Son. Jesus came as God in the flesh (John 1:1, have spent their lives worshiping other gods. 14; 14:9; see Matthew 1:23). He led a sinless life Idol-worshipers have turned to God in every and manifested His power in His miracles. He age, just as the Thessalonians turned from idols reflected the Father through His wisdom and to God in the first century (1 Thessalonians 1:9). knowledge as He taught, and He demonstrated Why should idolaters turn to Christ? His love and kindness and compassion to every­ one. He was willing to suffer, even to die on the The Nature of God cross, so that people might be saved. His resur­ One reason to turn from false gods to the one rection proved His divinity; and He promised a true Lord is seen in the nature of God. The God second coming, when He will return to judge the Christians worship is vastly superior to the gods world. Nothing in any other religious system is worshiped by idolaters. These gods are described, remotely like Jesus, mankind’s Savior. Surely, at best, as capricious and unreliable. At worst, everyone should want to follow such a person! their actions are depicted as being malevolent and deliberately injurious to mankind. The evil they The Blessings of Christianity would do to men is supposedly warded off by A third reason to abandon the gods of idolatry special offerings and ceremonies. In truth, they and obey the gospel message about Jesus relates are powerless. They can neither help nor harm to the blessings of being a Christian. those who believe in them. Holiness is granted. We are blessed as Chris­ In contrast, let us consider God’s nature: tians because Christ calls us to a holy life. The one who becomes a Christian cannot continue • He is eternal and never-changing (Psalm to live an unrighteous life. God calls His people (102:25–27). He is consistent and depend­ to become holy, just as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15). The Christian is born anew (John 3:3, 5; 1 Peter 12Broom said that one solution to the problem of 1:22, 23) and experiences new life (Romans 6:3, idolatry in the church would be to teach more from the Old 4). He puts off the old man of sin and begins to Testament prophets, since “they were fighting against walk in purity (Romans 6:11–13). The old ways idols just as Elijah did on Mount Carmel. God’s prophets had no toleration for idols” (Broom). are no longer suitable. 13Ibid. This call to holiness is unknown in idolatrous

4 religions. False gods and spirits are not them­ We can anticipate going home to be with Jesus selves perceived as righteous, nor do they require forever. Everyone is a sinner; we all do wrong righteous behavior. In fact, rejecting the Creator at times. Someday Jesus will return and call us and beginning to worship the creature results in to account for what we have done in the flesh. greater and greater sinfulness (Romans 1:18–32). Unless our sins have been forgiven, we will be Some may think that Christianity, because it re­ condemned to hell. However, our sins can be quires people to live by a higher standard, places forgiven, cleansed by the blood of Christ, so that an added burden on one’s life—that it is likely we will not be condemned because of them in the to decrease, rather than increase, one’s personal day of judgment. happiness. On the contrary, the experience of How can that happen? It happens through thousands has demonstrated that living sinfully the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8, 9) and by the brings misery and death (Romans 6:23), while power of Christ’s shed blood (Ephesians 1:7). living a pure life is the happiest, most abundant It happens when we turn to Christ in faith and life of all14 (John 10:10). The Christian who seeks obedience, believing in Christ as the Son of God to live righteously can indeed “rejoice always” (John 8:24); repenting of our sins (Luke 13:3; Acts (1 Thessa­lonians 5:16). 17:30); confessing our faith (Romans 10:10; Mat­ Fear is banished. Christians are blessed because thew 10:32); and being baptized into Christ for Christ banishes fear from our lives (John 14:27; the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). 1 John 4:18). We have no reason to fear false gods, Do this, and your sins will be forgiven. You will since we know they do not exist, and Christ is then have the privilege of living a Christian life. more powerful than any spirit that might exist. We As long as you strive to be faithful, the blood of do not have to be afraid of man (Hebrews 13:6) or Jesus will continue to cleanse you from your sins anything else in the world (Romans 8:35–39), and (1 John 1:7). You can live without fear and with we have no fear of death (Philippians 1:21; 1 Co­ the hope of heaven! Idols—whether images or rin­thians 15:54–57). In fact, if we “fear God and spirits or ancestors—cannot make that claim! keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13), then we need not fear anything else. CONCLUSION Forgiveness is received. We are blessed when we We may think that, since we do not worship become Christians because our sins are forgiven. idols made of wood or stone or venerate our ancestors or offer gifts to the spirits, we cannot be guilty of idolatry. However, if we put anything 14For instance, giving oneself wholly to a husband or a wife without ever committing adultery is more fulfilling before God, that thing becomes our god. than a lifestyle of immorality. Coy Roper

©Copyright, 2010 by Truth for Today. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

5