Elijah went before the people and said, “ How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. 1 Kings 18:21
There are times in life when silence speaks louder than a thousand words and that was the case of the people of Israel in the days of Elijah. They believed in God but also believed in Baal and its evil practice. That was the reason why they had no answer to the prophet’s questions. This is not so different in the world of today, just go around and ask people if they believe God. You can be most certain that majority will answer yes, I do!
But if you dig a little deeper you will also discover that they also believe in ancestral traditions, saints, prophets, witchdoctors, saint Peter, saint Paul, Buda, and so many other “gods” that can be found in this world. This sad reality is a fact even among some who attend evangelical churches where Sunday morning they call Jesus their Lord but from time to time still drink from the cup of idolatry.
The sin of Idolatry and one of the most effective ways that satan has found in order to separate the creation from its Creator and the one that challenges God the most especially when coming from those who know the truth. The bible call it spiritual prostitution, it is like a woman with two husbands- who is she going to relay on for help when trouble strikes?
Here are a few things that you should know about this subject:
“You saw no form of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air, or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below. And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. But as for you, the Lord took you and brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of his inheritance, as you now are. Deuteronomy” 4:18-20
“‘Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God”. Leviticus 19:4
“Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” Deuteronomy.” 4:23-24
“‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord” Leviticus 19:28
“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten”. Ecclesiastes 9:5
“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritist for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God”. Leviticus 19:31
“When the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: “Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them. 1 kings.” 17:35
“If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.” Joshua” 23:16
“For the practices of the peoples are worthless, they cut a tree out of the forest and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold they fasten it with hammer and nailsso it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field their idols cannot speak;they must be carriedbecause they cannot walk.Do not fear them;they can do no harmnor can they do any good.” Jeremiah.” 10:3-5
Placing anything or anyone ABOVE Jesus is also a type of idolatry. Our children, parents, friends, possessions, boyfriend, girlfriend, roll models such as artists, political figures, musicians, religious leaders and the like… None of them may take the first place in our heart.
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:37-39
Though we must respect the rights that every individual possesses to believe in whatever they wish. I want to stamp out and warn all the readers of the consequence of a double-minded faith and that of Idolatry.
“He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:6-8
Think about what Jesus said:
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Matthew 4:10
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