Forms Of Modern Idolatry

What do you define as idolatry? Should you be concerned with the idea of idolatry in modern times?

If you ask assembly goers about whether idolatry exists in modern times they may say, “Yes”! If you ask them if it is a concern for them they might say, “No, it does not affect me because I do not have any object made as a god and I do not worship anything but God.” Therefore, many in assemblies of the church do not examine the topic of Idolatry. Perhaps we should!

What does idolatry mean? Idolatry is the worship of an idol or idols—objects or images, such as statues, that are worshipped as the representations of deities or gods. Modern Christians say they are not idolatrous because they do not worship man made objects. Christians and Jews, alike, go back to the Ten Commandments God gave for them by which to abide and quote commandment # 1. Ex. 20:3-5. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 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: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them,

They claim they do not ‘bow down to’ anything but God Almighty, therefore they say they are not idolaters.

OK! Can they be idolatrous in any other form?

Metaphorical idols. Sometimes, idol is used in a metaphorical way to compare something to an object of religious devotion and worship, and such devotion can also be called idolatry, as in The endless pursuit of wealth is a form of idolatry.

Just because we do not knowingly ‘bow down to’ any object does not mean we are sinless of idolatry. Metaphorically we might unknowingly be ‘bowing down to’ a thing or ideology which is against the Will of God.

Does the Bible speak of any other forms of idolatry than an object which some ‘bow down to’? YES!

Warnings against idolatry should cause us to heed the information given defining idolatry and idolatrous behaviors.

Eph. 5:5. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. A covetous man who puts his trust in mammon–riches–over God is identified in scripture as an idolater. Their riches mean more to them than God. Their place in society is more important to them than God and trusting in His deliverance. They must ‘keep up with the Joneses’.

Many say, “I am not rich. I do not have great wealth”.

Let me ask a question. Do you have enough money to have the things you want? Are you not trying to obtain more money? Some will say, “I need more money to live. Times are hard. I cannot provide the things I need for my family.” What you are really saying is, “I do not have because I have asked not. I am going to do it on my own.” they have removed their faith in God to faith in themselves.

Forms of Idolatry

mammon–riches

Strong’s G3126 defines Mammon as riches: reviewing Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13 (where it is personified and opposed to God)

Mat 6:24. 24 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. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Many define the term ‘mammon’ as money. If true, you cannot serve God and money. God says money is the root of all evil. Desiring more and robbing God of what little you offer is a sin. 1 Tim. 5:10. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Relying on money and the means by which you can obtain it is the very reliance factor God abhors. God wants us to rely upon His means for our wealth; not our own. Satan knows this but has slipped such an idea into our minds to violate God’s will against all righteous. When Satan creates a culture where it is very difficult to sustain your lives on the income you receive, because greedy entities are causing pain and suffering keeping you from affording the necessities of life, the poor begin to hold onto their money to not lose everything. They have put their true trust in their ability to gain money instead of their trust in the Lord. Satan wins. The person puts their service into life and culture. This is said to be a form of idolatry–a worship of mammon.

Luke 16:13. 13 No servant 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. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.