10 Bible verses on idolatry
The definition of idolatry, whose etymology means the worship of an image or representation, is worship of idols or creatures worshipped as a deity (Larousse). Idolatry is a sin often cited in the Bible. In the Old Testament, there are numerous examples of idolatry, including the episode of the golden calf in the book of Exodus. After being delivered by God, the Hebrew people began to worship a statue. The Bible therefore warns us against this very human tendency to turn away from God, who alone deserves adoration, to attach ourselves to all kinds of idols.Today, to be an idolater is not simply to worship a divine representation, but also to become excessively attached to something which, in so doing, distances us from God. For as Jesus said: "No one can serve two masters: either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24).
Through 10 Bible verses, discover what idolatry is according to the Bible and how to guard against it in modern life.
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10 Bible passages on idolatry
There is only one Lord, one God worthy of worship and praise
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20, 2-3) (Discover the full 10 Commandments)
"For us, on the contrary, there is only one God, the Father, from whom all things come and to whom we go; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things come and through whom we live." (1 Corinthians 8:6)
"I am the Lord, that is my name; and I will not yield my glory to another, nor my praise to idols." (Isaiah 42:8)
Our God is a living god, unlike the idols we create for ourselves
"Do not turn to idols; do not make for yourselves gods of molten metal. I am the Lord your God" (Leviticus 19:4).
"You shall not make idols for yourselves; you shall not set up statues or steles among yourselves; you shall not put carved stones in your land to bow down to them: I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 26:1)
"The idols of the nations: gold and silver, the work of human hands. They have mouths and do not speak, eyes and do not see; their ears do not hear, and in their mouths there is not the slightest breath" (Psalm 134 (135),15-17).
Idols turn us away from God
"Therefore, my beloved, flee from the worship of idols" (1 Corinthians 10:14).
"It is well known what deeds the flesh leads to: misconduct, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of temper, intrigues, divisions, sectarianism, envy, drinking, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I have warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21).
The Lord frees us from our idols
"I will pour clean water on you, and you will be cleansed; from all your filthiness, from all your idols, I will cleanse you" (Ezekiel 36:25).
"Indeed, people tell about us, about the welcome we received among you; they say how you converted to God by turning away from idols, in order to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, Jesus, whom he raised from the dead, to deliver us from the wrath to come."(1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)
What is idolatry in our time?
Idolatry can take many forms, and there are modern forms with which we are all familiar. The cult of performance, of appearance, of money... The time and importance we give to certain material considerations can lead us away from God if they take up too much space in our lives. By making our happiness, security and fulfillment depend on our comfort, social success or physical appearance, we forget that all grace comes from God.
Two ways to combat the sin of idolatry in our lives
To combat the very human tendency to seek security and comfort in material things, the important thing is always to know how to restore God's central place in our lives. It's not necessarily a question of rejecting what makes up our lives, but of knowing how to put things back in their rightful place.
Giving thanks to God. Getting into the habit of thanking the Lord for everything that happens in our lives helps us remember that He is the source of all good, whatever form it takes.
By getting into the habit of entrusting our questions, doubts and fears to God. It's with God that we'll find true peace and security. Trusting God and his divine plans frees us from the dependencies that trap us and make us feel insecure.
Praise the Lord with Hozana!
In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus reminds us: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great, first commandment."
On Hozana, find communities of prayer to praise the Lord, give thanks to him and help us put him back at the center of our lives.
- Receive each morning , or to start the day with the Word of God.
Frequently asked questions about idolatry in the Bible
What are the consequences of idolatry?
The direct consequence of idolatry is to distance ourselves from God. Indeed, if we put our hope and trust in a person or a thing, we no longer put it in God. "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other"(Matthew 6:24).
What are the synonyms for idolatry?
In the Bible, idolatry is often associated with the worship of money and power. Greed is therefore a form of idolatry, as this verse shows: "For the root of all evil is the love of money. Because of their attachment to it, some have strayed from the faith and brought untold torment upon themselves" (1 Timothy 6:10).
Which Bible verse condemns idolatry?
The Ten Commandments given by God to Moses and inscribed on the tablets of the Law begin like this:
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt make no idols, no images of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters under the earth.
Thou shalt not bow down to these gods, to worship them." (Exodus 20, 3-5)
