Idolatry is reducing God to something you can grasp, can use, and can control
Those who make them or trust in them are like them – dull to the truth, worldly, open to false spirits and divination, prone to deadness of organs – and unable to understand the Bible – regardless of whether object of worship is a pagan god, animals, Mary or Jesus.
Idolatry is the activity of the human heart – and is not limited to bowing before a statue.
An idol is conceived in the heart – evolves in the mind – and is then evidenced in the value and honor given to creatures and the created.1:23
Covetousness is closely linked to idolatry3:5.It stems from a desire to possess more of what someone else may have….a craving that must be gratified; I Cor.10:7-14
Covetousness – leads to discontentment, testing God and having him serve or prove Himself to us and sexual immorality or lust – the out-workings of idolatry
When there is an obsession with unimportant things – beware of the beginnings of idolatry
When God and people are forgotten or displaced in the pursuit of a good thing – beware of idolatry
When good things become an exclusive right or demand that must be met – it may be idolatrous.
Good things becoming idolatrous when its absence or loss ruins our trust in the goodness of God.
Beware of idols in your life – because of the wrath of God on idolatry. You shall not make for yourself idols or images – for I the Lord your God am a jealous God. Ex 20:3-5
1 1:9You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven whom he raised from the dead – Jesus – who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Secondly – I10:20-22What pagans sacrifice they offer to demons – Do not be participants with demons – as those who partake of sacrifices are participants at the altar. You can’t banquet with the Master one day and slum with demons the next day.
For food offered to idols – read I 10:25-33from the Message Bible