What exactly is an idol?
In its simplest of definitions, an idol, from a religious or spiritual point of view, is a physical item that is worshiped or venerated as a god.
It is not a representation of a god but is the god itself. This can be confusing as there are times when religions sometimes build statutes of gods that are also believed to reside elsewhere, such as heaven, or in the case of the ancient Greeks, Zeus, who lived on Mount Olympus, but still had temples and statues where people showed the same honor and veneration that they would have, had he been there in person.
This has even been a topic of debate in the Christian church. In 730 A.D., Emperor Leo III banned the use of icons and other religious images of Jesus and other saints, declaring that they were idols, although the great controversy over this would be a back-and-forth issue until 843 A.D. when they would finally be restored.
However, few people, whether they use icons and statues in Christian worship, view them as gods but merely representations of the people portrayed. That being said, many Christians are still uncomfortable with their use, and outside of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, they are rarely seen.
So, what is idolatry in Christianity? Is it really a problem?
In a nutshell, idolatry, as stated above, is making a god of something tangible. I gave a dictionary definition of a god in a previous article I wrote on atheism.
Essentially, as stated there, a god is anything on which a person puts supreme power and control. Therefore, it does not even have to be some holy deity with supernatural powers. It does not have to come in the form of an organized religious group or faith practice. A god can be anything…or anyone!
Icons are a big part of worship in Eastern Orthodox tradition.
While the use of icons, statues, and other art depicting early Church fathers, saints, or scenes from the Bible are familiar to most people, their use in daily worship is uncomfortable to some, and even the presence of a cross in a place of worship or as a piece of jewelry is frowned upon by some.
Seen as a gateway to placing too much power on a creation and not the creator, some people would prefer not to have such things present. It is my opinion that, to some extent, this is a matter of personal preference and must be approached with caution.
I, for example, wear a cross around my neck but in no way feel that it gives me any sort of protection or special blessing. For me, it is nothing more than an outward testimony of my faith. The Christian artwork in my home and office gives me a sense of peace and acts as a reminder of who I serve.
What, then, are the idols Christians worship?
If Christians are not actually bowing down to the statues of saints or believing that the cross around their neck protects them from harm, are they/we really at risk of worshiping idols?
“Idolatry is really not good for anyone. Not even the idols.” — John Bach
When we examine how we defined idols earlier, an item that is “worshiped or venerated,” it is important that we realize that venerating or worshiping need not occur in a house of worship. Any time we put the importance of something first in our lives, we do this.
When was the last time you took an overtime shift on a Sunday so that you could make extra money, even though it meant missing church? Have you ever spent more time grooming yourself so that you looked good for a date, wanting to impress that “special someone,” but didn’t spend 15 minutes reading your Bible or on your knees in prayer, asking for guidance that same day?
What about the extra money set aside for the new car that you wanted the same year that you couldn’t afford to give money to a missionary because “things are too tight this month”? Have you ever made sure that you knew the schedule of your favorite sports team but forgot about a special event that your church was holding or a music recital of one of your children? How are these not examples of idolatry?
God is a jealous God! He makes that very clear.
Scripture is very clear about God’s jealousy. I have written about jealousy, and how it can sometimes be a good thing, such as when a husband gets jealous of another man flirting with his wife.
God’s jealousy is a sign that He does not want to share His beloved children’s love and devotion with any other gods. When we put other things ahead of Him in our lives, we have, in essence, declared them to be our “god(s).”
“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” (Exodus 20:5, KJV) (Emphasis added)
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (I Corinthians 6:19, KJV)
The first verse above shows us that God is jealous of His relationship with us as His children, while the second reminds us that we are not our own! We have been bought with a price and belong to the King of kings.
Let us worship as innocent children
When a child first hears about Jesus, when she learns about God’s love, she doesn’t know of a God other than a larger-than-life Father who loves her unconditionally. She envisions a God who can do anything and who will always be there. It is simple yet magnificent!
It is only when we grow up, and life becomes complicated that we learn about other things that can become gods to us. We are inundated with an array of trappings and objects, emotions and opportunities that cloud our lives. There are ample opportunities for us to make any of these not only important but the most important thing to us, edging out family, health, and even God.
Have you done this? If I am, to be honest, I must say that there have been times that I have. There isn’t a person alive who isn’t at risk. If you aren’t sure, or if you are overly confident that this couldn’t happen to you, take a look at your “to-do” list. Check your priorities. Where do you rank God? Where do you rank your family? Where is your time spent? Your money?
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