Most people today would laugh at the idea of idolatry. The Bible tells of people who, because they did not know God, built golden altars and golden idols then bowed before them to worship. However, once they knew about God, they did not change. The idea of doing such a thing in today’s world appears to be preposterous if not amusing. Idol worship came about because mankind could not understand life and needed someone or something to believe in. When Moses led the people out of Egypt they came from a culture that worshiped many idols. In times of stress or trouble the Israelites had a tendency to turn back to the only gods they had known.

People today also need someone or something to believe in, and this causes them to bow to modern idols and worship them. This idea may not be as far-fetched as it would first appear. Many worship sports heroes or rock idols while others turn to inanimate objects such as cell phones and computers. While there is nothing wrong with these items as tools, all too often they become a god to many people. Scripture gives a clear picture of idolatry.

Col 3:5

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. NASB

Immorality is the first idol mentioned here and as the newscasts report, America is awash in immorality. Not only is this decadence prevalent, it is displayed openly for all to see. Children grow up with full exposure to an immoral lifestyle from an early age. The sin of impurity follows swiftly on its heels for that, which was once forbidden, is now the norm.

Passion is satisfied without delay rather than waiting for the proper time and place. Immorality, passion, and impurity have all but destroyed the true meaning of marriage as shown in God’s Word. Children do not see a married couple as parents; they live instead amid the immorality of co-habitation. The parents become upset or concerned when their children engage in sex, forgetting children hear what is done more than what is said.

Evil desires and greed lead to lying, cheating, robbery and murder.

People the world over have developed the “Me First” lifestyle that keeps them from the love of God. This is idolatry and leads to destruction.

Idolatry destroys lives for idols have no real power; they have only the power of deception. Remember God is a jealous God and He will allow no other gods before Him. Anything or anyone deemed to be more important than God is an idol. The following passage shows what happens when people worship idols rather than God.

Gal 6:7

Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? NASB

The question everyone must answer is whether they will submit to God or continue to pursue the idols of this world.