Idolatry is putting anything in God's rightful place — loving, trusting, or serving something more than him. It breaks the first commandment (Exodus 20:3), and in modern life often takes the form of money, success, or self rather than carved statues.
Anything in God's place
The first commandment forbids other gods, and the second forbids idols. But idolatry is broader than statues — it's giving to anything the love, trust, and devotion that belong to God alone. The heart is a factory of idols.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Idols of the heart
Money, success, relationships, comfort, or self can all become idols — good things turned into ultimate things. Scripture even calls covetousness idolatry. The remedy is to give God his rightful first place in our affections.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Covetousness, which is idolatry.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Quick answers
- Is idolatry still relevant today?
- Very much so. Few bow to statues now, but many organise their lives around money, career, image, or pleasure. Idolatry is any rival to God for the heart's ultimate love and trust.
- How do I know if something is an idol in my life?
- Ask what you most fear losing, where your money and time go, and what you turn to for security or joy. Whatever functions as your ultimate treasure may be an idol.
- How do I get rid of idols?
- Not merely by trying to love things less, but by loving God more — letting a greater treasure displace the lesser. Repentance, worship, and a fresh vision of God dethrone idols.
