| IDOLATRY |
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| The Evils Idols Stood For Idols were far from innocent, however. They stood for vile, angry gods who could hurt you unless you bartered for peace. The highest sacrifice? Slaughter your own son. The Jews had adopted this practice (19:5). According to these idol-worshipping religions, success came through the fertile power of nature and the gods. You could tune in to such power by having sex with temple prostitutes, either male of female. The Jews also borrowed this (2 Kings 23:7). These ideas disgusted the God of Israel. By mixing such practices with their devotion to him, God's people were becoming confused about his true character. (For more on idolatry, see "Why All the Fuss about Idols?") Idolatry Today The New Testament broadens the definition of idolatry so that it applies to us, even though we worship no statues. Paul said that greed is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5). The things people get greedy for - money, sex, power, even food - can function as little gods. When we feel depressed, we turn to them for comfort. When we're happy, we give them the credit. We gradually becomes their slaves. But this is exactly the place for God in our lives, and God alone. If something else takes his place, we are as guilty of idolatry as the people Jeremiah spoke to. God cannot share us. He is either the only God, or he is not God at all. Jealousy is an ugly emotion, but in some situations it is the only appropriate response. A father is jealous of his children; that is, he will fight never to give them up to another family. A husband is jealous of his wife: he will not share her most intimate love with anyone else. So God feels about his people. They belong to him, and to him alone. Life Questions: Where do you turn when you're troubled? Do money, success, popularity, or other factors serve as substitutes for God? |