In the Old Testament, idolatry was a frequent sin by the nation of Israel. God didn’t mince words with how much He hated it. Although it’s easy to wonder what kept Israel from quitting this sin for good, the notion of worshipping other gods might be something we actually struggle with today. The first step toward freedom from this sin is awareness. Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about idolatry and what it means for us.

This is an excerpt adapted from the Fire Bible Study Notes

“Do not be afraid … You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.

1 Samuel 12:20-21

Definition of Idolatry

Idolatry refers to worshiping idols, images or other “God-substitutes” (things in place of the true God). It is a severe offense against God that happened again and again throughout the history of God’s people. The first clear recorded instance was when Jacob (renamed Israel, Ge 32:28) commanded members of his extended family to get rid of their foreign gods just before he arrived in Bethel (Ge 35:1-4). The first time the Bible describes the entire nation of Israel engaging in idolatry was when they gathered to worship the golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai (Ex 32:1-6). During the time of the judges, God’s people frequently turned to false gods and participated in idol worship. Though there is no evidence of idolatry during the time of Saul or David, during the latter years of King Solomon there is a continuing pattern of idolatry in Israel (1Ki 11:1-8). At the end of Solomon’s reign, Israel became divided. After the division, all of the rulers of the northern kingdom of Israel engaged in idolatry, as did many of the southern kings of Judah. Only after the exile did the worship of other gods cease among the Jews.

Attractiveness of Idolatry

Why was idolatry so appealing to the Israelites? Several factors were involved.

(1) The Israelites were surrounded by pagan nations.

The pagans believed that worshiping several gods was superior to worshiping one God. That is to say, they felt that more was better. God’s people constantly imitated the evil religious practices and lifestyles of the surrounding nations instead of obeying God’s command to keep themselves holy (morally and spiritually pure and devoted to God) and separated from such practices.

(2) The false gods of the other nations did not require the kind of obedience and moral purity that the God of Israel demanded.

For example, many of the pagan religions included sexual immorality with temple prostitutes as part of their religious rituals. This practice became appealing to many of the Israelites. But God required His people to obey the high moral standards defined in His law in order to maintain a saving relationship with Him. They had to resist the pull toward immorality and other sinful practices accepted and practiced by the pagan religions.

(3) Because of the demonic character of idols, idolatry at times produced appealing results for the people who worshiped the images.

The demonic powers were able to provide temporary material and physical benefits for the worshipers. Fertility gods promised the birth of children; weather gods promised agreeable conditions for abundant crops; warrior gods promised protection from enemies and victory in battle. Such “benefits” were attractive to the Israelites, and for these reasons many were willing to dedicate themselves to the worship of these idols.

Basic Character of Idolatry

We cannot fully understand the appeal of idolatry unless we understand its true nature.

(1) The Bible makes it plain that an idol is nothing (Jer 2:11; 16:20).

It is only a piece of wood or stone, carved by human hands. It has no power of its own. Samuel calls idols useless things (1Sa 12:21), and Paul clearly states: “We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world” (1Co 8:4; 10:19-20). Because of an idol’s worthlessness, the psalm writers (Ps 115:4-8; 135:15-18) and prophets (1Ki 18:27; Isa 44:9-20; 46:1-7; Jer 10:3-5) often mocked and ridiculed idols, pointing out how ridiculous it is to trust them.

(2) However, behind all idols of false gods are demons–spiritual beings ruled by Satan.

Both Moses (Dt 32:17) and the psalmist (Ps 106:36-37) declared false gods the same as demons. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he says the same thing when explaining to the believers about eating meat sacrificed to idols: “the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God” (1Co 10:20). The power behind idolatry is the power and activity of demons, who have much influence in this world. Christians know, of course, that the power of Jesus Christ is greater beyond any limit than that of demons. The Bible does, however, describe Satan as “the god of this age” (2Co 4:4), who exercises very great power in the world at this present time (1Jn 5:19; Lk 13:16; Gal 1:4; Eph 6:12; Heb 2:14). He has the power to produce counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders (2Th 2:9; Rev 13:2-8, 13; 16:13-14; 19:20) and to cause or provide physical and material benefits to some people. There is no doubt that this power sometimes contributes to the material gain and success of the wicked (Ps 10:2-6; 37:16, 35; 49:6; 73:3-12).

(3) The relationship between idolatry and demons becomes more clear when we realize how closely connected pagan religions are with…

  • spiritism (receiving messages from the dead)
  • sorcery (use of magic through evil spirits)
  • divination (predicting the future)
  • enchantment (casting spells)
  • witchcraft (the practice of magic)

These and other practices attempt to communicate with ungodly spiritual forces or the dead in order to receive power, gain hidden knowledge or determine the future (2Ki 21:3-6; Isa 8:19). According to Scripture, all of these occult practices involve worship and admiration toward demons. For example, when Saul asked the witch at Endor to summon Samuel from the dead, she saw a spirit “coming up out of the ground,” which proved to represent Samuel (1Sa 28:8-14). This shocked her because she had expected a demon to come up from the underworld.

(4) The NT calls greed a form of idolatry (Col 3:5).

In this sense, people put love and desire for riches and power ahead of God. In fact, these things can become a person’s “gods.” But on a deeper spiritual level, demons are able to give limited material benefits. For that reason, people who are not satisfied with what they have will not hesitate to compromise with, or “sell out” to, corrupt and evil powers who may get them what they want. Such people may not worship gods made out of wood and stone. In reality, they worship the demons that stand behind greed and evil desires. Jesus warned that we “cannot serve both God and Money” (Mt 6:24). Speaking on the same subject, Paul later warns that believers should “not drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons” (1Co 10:21).

God’s Response to Idolatry

God will not tolerate any form of idolatry.

(1) He frequently warned against it in the Old Testament.

(2) The history of the Israelites was all too often a rebellious history of idol worship.

God became very angry with His people for failing to destroy all of the idols in the promised land and for adopting the worship of false gods instead. He punished them by allowing their enemies to gain control over them.

  • The book of Judges presents a cycle that is often repeated:
    • First, the Israelites began to serve the false gods of the nations that they failed to remove from the land.
    • Then, God allowed their enemies to gain power over them.
    • Finally, God’s people cried out to him for help. Then, the Lord heard and sent a judge to rescue them.
  • The idolatry of the northern kingdom went on for nearly two centuries. Finally, God allowed the Assyrians to destroy Israel’s capital and to scatter the ten tribes (2Ki 17:6-18).
  • The southern kingdom of Judah did have a number of faithful, God-honoring kings such as Hezekiah and Josiah. Because of wicked kings like Manasseh, however, idolatry became commonly accepted in the daily life of Judah (2Ki 21:1-9). As a result, God sent prophets to warn His people that Jerusalem would also be destroyed (2Ki 21:10-16). In spite of these warnings, idolatry continued (Isa 48:4-5; Jer 2:4-30; 16:18-21; Eze 8) until God finally fulfilled his prophecy through King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who captured Jerusalem, burned the temple and destroyed anything of value in the city (2Ki 25).

(3) The NT also warns Christ’s followers against idolatry.

  • Idolatry can be seen in various forms today. It is clearly evident in the false religions of the world, as well as in sorcery (use of magic through evil spirits), satanism (worship of Satan and self) and other forms of the occult. It is also present when people give themselves over to greed and materialism rather than trusting in God alone. In fact, idolatry is an issue whenever anything in a person’s life takes priority over God. Finally, it occurs within the church when people believe they can serve God and experience his salvation and blessings and at the same time participate in the immoral and wicked practices of the world.
  • As a result, the New Testament warns us not to be greedy, immoral, or to desire what belongs to others (Col 3:5; Mt 6:19-24; Ro 7:7; Heb 13:5-6), but rather to flee from all forms of idolatry (1Co 10:14; 1Jn 5:21). God makes it very clear that those who engage in any form of idolatry will have no part in His kingdom (1Co 6:9-10; Gal 5:20-21; Rev 22:15).

Where have idols popped up in your own life? Tell us in the comments below!

Fire Bible Study Notes

fire bible study notes idolatry

This blog is adapted from the Fire Bible Study Notes. Visit our store to learn more about how this helpful tool works and add it to your library today.

8 Comments

    • Bright Yao Fiamavle

      This is the best resources for bible study l have come in contact with

  1. Interesting how the definition of idolatry changed in the article. From a definite concept of graven image representing a demonic power to a nebulous Hey! Love your profile! I go naked biking at Paradise Valley, the nudist resort near Dawsonville. I’d love to show you the trails there sometime if you’re whatever… Where in the Bible did this definition get expanded to include a pet, a car, a fork, blanket or children (which is an insult to one’s kids and an admission of failure as a parent)? Paul has been specific in his writings. Surely he would have included in his writings a few lines warning his churches about the idolatry specific material things or children.
    By sufficiently watering down and expanding the definition of idolatry, or adding to the word of God (like Eve did), anything I don’t like in someone else can become and idol and is worthy of condemnation.

  2. Margaret Leona Garnto

    I had crushes on entertainers and certain movie and TV stars in the past,throughout my life, after my earthly father had molested me from the time I was six years old to the time I was thirteen years old, and I was looking for a decent father figure in my life. Was having those crushes on celebrities a form of idolatry? Please respond to my question here.

  3. What I find, after having been a Christian for 48 years, is that the enemy of God and man will use a normal God-given need, be it for love, or intimacy, or excitement, or intrigue and mystery, or wanting to know the future or whatever, and then twist or pervert this into something that will harm us, like pornography, or wanting someone else’s car, or wife, or overseas holiday. This is where we have to be wise and discerning. Godliness with contentment is great gain. If I will seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then I find that all the other things which I long for, will be supplied to me. Father God made me, so He knows exactly what will be a blessing to me, which might be boring to another of Hid kids. Getting His word into our lives on a daily basis is a huge safety and blessing factor. Huge.

  4. Worshiping anything or anyone as equal to or like YHWH is idolatry. God is jealous for His name and does not tolerate man worshiping Him through another name such as the name of jesus. This is not the name of God the Creator but the name of a man who claimed to be like God or equal to God. We are never told or commanded to worship God through or by another name that “represents” God . This would be no different than worshiping an idol of wood or stone that represents God . Its amazing how christians define themselves right out of the very definition of idolatry.

    Exodus 20: 2-3 I am YHWH who brought yo out of the land of Egypt. You shall have no other gods before Me.

    • Brad Hoffman

      Hi Ed! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts but find them very problematic. I think the Jews who encountered Jesus struggled with some of those very same thoughts, but the followers of Jesus were convinced that he was none other than God in the flesh. The conclusion they came to through his teaching and miracles were that he did and said things only God can do and say. Thus, to worship him is to worship God and not idolatry. May you come to see this as shocking and unsettling as it may be at first.

  5. ISIOMA ONYEMERIN

    Thank you, plz kindly forward more of your lessons to my Email, God Bless you richly ,Amen