Idol Worship Throughout History

[faithlovinmom]

Idol Worship Throughout History

Chapter 7: Christianity vs Idolatry

In the beginning, man was created to worship, to worship his creator receiving love, peace, protection and many blessings. Thus, instead of continued devotion, he became a religious being. It is said, "God made man in his own image, and then man kindly returned the favor." Which means.... that God did make man in his own image but then man turned around and made images after his own likeness to worship instead of God. Man's fall from true worship began as far back as in the Garden of Eden. Satan told Eve, "for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Gen3:5 Eve, wanting the knowledge of good and evil and also to be as a god (something to be desired), she was disobedient. Her worship and love for God had been replaced. Eve now had desires unto herself instead of the desire to please God, and thus, she was cursed. So it is also today, those that replace their true worship and love of our Lord with Idols and desires unto themselves are also cursed. They have chosen death instead of life.

History is filled with the mythology of one god or another, influencing generations of people through idol worship. The character of every nation and tribe of human history has been formed and modified, in a great degree, by the character attributed to their gods. Man by worshiping, becomes assimilated to the moral character or symbol of the object for which he worships. Idols are entreated for their protection, power, and blessings of individuals and nations. From ancient times, and continuing today, civilizations have been worshiping false gods through the images, icons, and statues in which they have created. Temples, priesthoods, and elaborate systems of worship have showered these false gods with honor.

As I have stated previously, Isaiah tell us truly that there is only ONE God. He also reveals the idolatry of man........"Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any. They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?.........The carpenter.......... maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.........yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto. He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire: And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image; he falleth down unto it, and worshipeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.........a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand? Isaiah 8:-20

Paul had first hand experience with idol worshippers in Athens. "Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.........then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;........Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device." Acts 17:16-29

The superstitions of idol worship were not created without help; Scripture teaches that idol worship is empowered by devils. The fallen spirit world offers magic, threatens retaliation, and gives the manifestations necessary to establish false religious worship. Once established, shame and honor codes, ethnic pride, fear, false hopes, and traditions of men are enough to sustain the system.

"And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations." Lev 17:7

"They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not." Deut. 32:16-17

"And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils. And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood." Psalm 106:36-38

"What say I then? That the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils." 1Corin. 10:19-21

In our modern world today there are many things man has devoted his time, fear, and love to more so to than to God. We can make and worship idols without using a graven image. Here are a few examples:

1. Ourselves: narcissism, vanity, power, control and personal desires and glory.

2. Sex, romance, drugs, alcohol, abortion and any personal pleasure.

3. Material possession, money, homes, cars, games, jewelry etc.

4. Sports, holidays, TV, events, computers or any cause you devote a lifetime to.

The list is endless. Any of these and more will turn a man's heart away from God. Any created thing can become an idol. Man's root problem is his disconnection from his Holy and Powerful creator. The word tells us:

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more that lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, everlearning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." 2Tim 3:1-7

We need to be rooted and grounded in God's love. Instead we are isolated, empty, angry, fearful and needy. Without a relationship to God our innate desire to worship leads us to gods of our own making. All of our attempts to worship anything other than our Lord Jesus turn out to be very disappointing and leaves us empty, violated and addicted.

Praise God, that He has not left us bereft and in a desperate state, destined to spend our lives in pursuit of false gods that will never satisfy and bring death unto our soul. Our Lord Jesus Christ has paid the ultimate price for our sin and shame. "For that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.......I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.........I am the way, the truth, and the life." John3:16, 8:12, 14:6

We are given a choice to choose how we spend our time and in whom we do love most. We must judge and evaluate our own lives. We must deny ourselves and all idol worship. We must choose the right path, they way which is lighted by our Lord Jesus Christ. If you choose the things of God, the angles in heaven do rejoice over you greatly.