Idolatry

Idolatry is the worship of anything or anyone other than the one true God. Scripture identifies it as a fundamental rebellion that places created things in the place that belongs to the Creator alone.

Exodus 20:3-5 commands, "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image — any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them." First Corinthians 10:14 instructs, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." First John 5:21 closes with the warning, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." Romans 1:25 describes the root of idolatry as exchanging "the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator." Idolatry is not limited to carved images; anything that takes the place of God in a person's heart is an idol.

Idolatry in the modern world often takes the form of placing career, money, relationships, or pleasure above God. The first commandment calls believers to give God the supreme place in their hearts and lives. Regularly examining what occupies the highest place in one's affections is essential to walking faithfully with God.