Can a man make gods for himself?
Such [things] are not gods! Jeremiah 16:20
Such [things] are not gods! Jeremiah 16:20
05/08/2019
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One great sin of ancient Israel was
idolatry, and today we see are witnessing the spiritual Israel having the same
tendency. Remphan's star shines no longer, and the women weep no more for
Tammuz, but Mammon still intrudes his golden calf, and the shrines of pride are
not forsaken. Today we are witnessing
more and more even the “people of God” are turning to the stars and heavenly
hosts for answers.
But
God turned away [from them] and handed them over to serve the host of heaven.
As it is written and forever
remains written in the book of the prophets, “It
was not [really] to Me that you offered victims and sacrifices for forty years in
the wilderness, was it, O house of Israel? You also took along the tabernacle (portable temple) of
Moloch and the star of the god Remphan, the images which you made to worship;
and I will remove you beyond Babylon
[carrying you away into exile].” Acts
7:42-43
We know from reading Ephesians
6:12 that we do not wrestle against
the flesh and blood but against darkness and spiritual forces of wickedness in
the heavenly places. So it really makes no sense when “Christians” seek solace
from heavenly forces {a
mythological group of gods represented by the heavenly bodies and
constellations}.
We have even witnessed “Christians” laying
hands on the bull in from of Wall Street; praying for the finances of America.
This is detestable in the eyes of God! The “Church” has become a den of idol
worship just as it was in the days of ancient Israel all because the god of
this world {Satan} has blinded them to
the TRUTH of God’s Word.
But
even if our gospel is [in some sense] hidden [behind a veil], it is hidden
[only] to those who are perishing; among them the god of this
world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from
seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the
image of God. 2
Corinthians 4:3-4
And
no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. So it is no
great surprise if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness,
but their end will correspond with their deeds. 2
Corinthians 11:14-15
No one can serve two masters; for either he
will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon
[money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord]. Matthew
6:24
So much truth lies in the words, "they
are no gods," because these objects of our blind love are very doubtful
blessings, the solace which they give us now is dangerous, and the help which
they can give us in the hour of trouble amounts to NOTHING. Why, then, are we
so enchanted with vanities? We pity the pagan and heathen who adore a god of
stone, and yet worship a god of gold. There is NO superiority between a god of
flesh and one of wood. The principle, the sin, the foolishness is the same in
either case. The only difference between the two is that in ours the crime is
more aggravated because we have more light, and sin in the face of it. The pagan
and heathen bows to a false deity, but the true God he has never known; we
commit two evils, inasmuch as we forsake the living God and turn unto idols.
Idolatry
Don’t
you realize that this is not the way to live? Unjust people who don’t care
about God will not be joining in his kingdom. Those who use and abuse each
other, use and abuse sex, use and abuse the earth and everything in it, don’t
qualify as citizens in God’s kingdom. A number of you know from experience what
I’m talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list. Since then,
you’ve been cleaned up and given a fresh start by Jesus, our Master, our
Messiah, and by our God present in us, the Spirit. 1
Corinthians 6:9-11
Anything that takes the place of God in your life is
idolatry. Christ reigns over all and until you realize that you will be
running around searching for things that will never complete you. Idolatry, in
this sense, means abandoning the way of God for foolishness.
Idols are dead,
idols are mute, idols are loveless, and idols hold us back from moving forward
in our journey with Christ Jesus. Why choose something that never loved you
over someone {Christ Jesus} who died to have a relationship with you?
Idol
worship blinds you to the truth. For many of us idols have become a way of life
and we probably have been so consumed by them that we didn’t even know that
they have become idols.
Psalm 115:4-8
The idols [of the nations] are silver and gold, The work of man’s
hands. They
have mouths, but they cannot speak;
they have eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but
they cannot hear; they have noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but they cannot feel; they have feet, but
they cannot walk; nor can they make a sound with their throats. Those who make them will become like them,
everyone who trusts in them.
Idolatry begins when you lose sight of Christ. We
have taken our focus off of Christ. We no longer have an impact on the world.
People don’t know God, they don’t want to know God, and now idolatry is growing
faster than ever before.
·
“If you want to follow Jesus
because He will give you a better life, that’s IDOLATRY. Follow Christ for the
sake of Christ. He is WORTHY.”
·
“Idolatry is seeking security
and meaning in someone or something other than God.”
·
“For what is idolatry if not
this: to worship the gifts in place of the Giver himself?”
·
“We make a god out of
whatever we find most joy in. So, find your joy in God and be done with all
idolatry.”
Please
consider these idols that can set up a stronghold in the heart. Look carefully
at your own life and see which ones might apply to you and need to be removed.
Maybe you struggle with something completely different than what I mention. I
pray that this list will be used by the Holy Spirit to show to you your own
personal need.
Pride
Isaiah
2:11 - The
proud look of man will be degraded
and the arrogance of men will be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in
that day.
Proverbs
16:18-19 - Pride
goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be humble in spirit with the
lowly than
to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant).
1
Peter 5:5 - Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and
experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you,
clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s
apron], for God is opposed to the proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], but He gives grace to the humble.
James
4:4-6 You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the
world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s
friend [that, loves the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever
chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you
think that the Scripture says to no purpose that the [human] spirit which He
has made to dwell in us lusts with envy? But He gives us more and more grace
[through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life
that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore,
it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn
away from self-righteousness].”
We
see proud people all the time. These people believe they don’t need God or
anyone else to tell them how to live their lives. Even Christians who have put
their trust in God for their eternal salvation are sometimes too proud to allow
Him to control their daily lives.
Pride manifests itself in many ways. Sometimes it
is hidden in our attitudes and character traits. Disobedience to authority is
often a matter of pride. It is when you
don’t want others telling you how to live or run your life.
Lust
Matthew
5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to
you that everyone who [so much as] looks at a woman with lust for
her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
So
many people are addicted to lustful thoughts and actions. Jesus gave us a clear
teaching on lust that expanded the meaning of the law concerning lust. He said
if a man looks at a woman with lust in his heart it is the same as adultery in
the eyes of God. Lust is not always passive either. Some people present
themselves in a way so as to entice others to look at them in an inappropriate
way.
I believe you should take care of your body as it is the gift of God
with which you serve Him and house His Holy Spirit, but it should not be used
to entice others into sinful thoughts and desires.
Romans
12:1-3 Therefore I urge you, brothers and
sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of
yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical,
intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer
with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you
mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and
ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God
is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for
you]. For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone
of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability]
than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has
apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].
James
1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for
temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot
be tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one. But each one is
tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and
baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). Then when
the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run
its course, it gives birth to death.
1
John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and
the lust and longing of the
eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources
or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but
are from the world.
Romans
1:21-25 For even though they knew God [as the
Creator], they did not honor Him as God or give thanks [for His wondrous
creation]. On the contrary, they became worthless in their thinking [godless,
with pointless reasoning, and silly speculations], and their foolish heart was
darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged
the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God
for an image [worthless idols] in the shape of mortal man and birds and
four-footed animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over
in the lusts of their own hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies
would be dishonored among them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin], because
[by choice] they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served
the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Galatians
5:16-21 But I
say, walk habitually in the
[Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will
certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds
impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. For the sinful nature has
its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit
opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit]
are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you
[as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. But
if you are guided and led by
the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. Now the practises
of the sinful nature are clearly
evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total
irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife,
jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote
heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you
beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will
not inherit the kingdom of God.
2
Timothy 2:22 Run away from youthful lusts—pursue
righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those [believers] who call on the
Lord out of a pure heart.
1
Peter 2:11 Beloved,
I urge you as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual
urges [those dishonorable desires] that wage war against the soul.
Physical Idols
Exodus
20:3-5 “You
shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself any idol,
or any likeness (form, manifestation) of what is in heaven above or on the
earth beneath or in the water under the earth [as an object to worship]. You
shall not worship them nor serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous
(impassioned) God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely mine], visiting
(avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of the fathers on the children [that is,
calling the children to account for the sins of their fathers], to the third
and fourth generations of those who hate Me”
Ezekiel
5:11 So, as I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘surely, because you
have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable idols and with all your
abominations, therefore I will also diminish you and withdraw, and My
eye will have no pity and I will not spare [you].
If you ask people about IDOLS in their homes, not one single person
will admit they actually do. A physical idol would be anything that you spend
time with and are not willing to give up to serve the Lord. It is anything that
distracts you from focusing on God.
1
Corinthians 12:2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led off after speechless idols; however you were led
off [whether by impulse or habit].
You may really like a certain sports star or entertainer—and that is
not necessarily wrong. However, if your mind becomes filled with their
abilities more than it is focused on God, then it becomes an idol.
I love to read. But books can become idols. I don’t know that you have
to spend as much time reading the Bible as you do other books. However, it
other books rob time away from your time with God they become idols.
The television can also be a physical idol in that people spend much
more time worshiping what comes through it than they do thinking about God. If
you are spending more time in front of that television than you are worshiping
your Creator then that television has become an idol in your life.
Worship
is a powerful thing. It changes your entire being. Sadly, worship is used for
bad more than good. Why do you think teens are dressing immodestly? Their gods
on TV are dressing immodestly. Why do you think women are seeking plastic
surgeons? They want to look like their idols.
The
more that you are influenced by your idol the less content you become. Our
idols tell us we’re not good enough the way we are. That is why many people try
to look and act like their favorite celebrities. Idols
don’t know your worth, but Christ thought you were to die for.
There are many other things that could be named in this category: cars,
Internet access, telephones, etc. What is it that the Lord is bringing to your
mind with a twinge of conviction right now? That could be the Holy Spirit
prompting you to consider your own physical idols.
1
John 5:21 Little children (believers, dear ones), guard yourselves from
idols—[false teachings, moral compromises, and anything that would take God’s
place in your heart].
Matthew
10:37 “He who loves
father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or
daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”
Romans
1:21-25 For even though they knew God [as the
Creator], they did not honor Him as God or give thanks [for His wondrous
creation]. On the contrary, they became worthless in their thinking [godless,
with pointless reasoning, and silly speculations], and their foolish heart was
darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged
the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God
for an image [worthless idols] in the shape of mortal man and birds and
four-footed animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over
in the lusts of their own hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies
would be dishonored among them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin], because
[by choice] they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served
the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Self
Matthew
6:33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at,
strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness
[His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be
given to you also.
As
“Christians” we should seek God and all He wants from us; placing our desires
and affections in His hands. In 2
Timothy 3:1-5 we learn about what
happens to a person who is caught up in themselves {Cult of Self} instead of
focusing on their Creator. Those obsessed with themselves today are easy to
spot; they are the ones constantly taking “Selfies” and posting to Social Media
for attention.
2
Timothy 3:1-5 But
understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and
trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will
be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by
greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful,
unholy and profane, [and they
will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane],
irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate,
immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of
[sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward]
godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct
nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.
Colossians
3:5 So put to death and
deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body [with its sensual,
self-centered instincts] immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of]
idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God].
Ezekiel 14 - Idolatrous Elders condemned for the idols they worshipped and coming to God seeking favor for their own personal needs.
Matthew
21:23-27 – The chief priests and
elders trying to undermine the authority of Jesus and puff up their own self
glory are cut down to size by the authority of God working through His son
Jesus Christ.
Mark
7:20-23 And He
said, “Whatever
comes from [the heart of] a man, that is what defiles and dishonors him. For
from within, [that is] out the heart of men, come base and malevolent thoughts and schemes, acts of sexual
immorality, thefts, murders, adulteries, acts of greed and covetousness, wickedness, deceit,
unrestrained conduct, envy and
jealousy, slander and
profanity, arrogance and
self-righteousness and foolishness (poor judgment).
All these evil
things [schemes and desires] come from within and defile and dishonor the man.”
Romans
1:24-25Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their
own hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among
them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin], because [by choice] they
exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature
rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Entertainment
Colossians
3:17 Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or
deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him],
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
First of all, is your entertainment God-honoring? If not, then that is
reason enough to step away from it according to this verse in Colossians.
If
the things you consider entertainment {sports, music, television} are being put
ahead of your commitment to serving God then they are idols in your life and
need to be removed from your life. Is your entertainment pure?
Titus
1:15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to the corrupt
and unbelieving, nothing is pure; both their mind and their conscience are
corrupted.
One of the most disturbing forms of
“entertainment” on television today is the idolization of {Mediums and
Spiritists}. The Word of God is clear when it comes to these ones who will
defile you. These people are communicating with demons known as “familiar spirits”
who know every detail about you and everyone else living or dead. These spirits
pose as your relative or friend to lead you astray. We learn in Mark
1:23-26 just because a spirit can
tell the truth, doesn't mean it is a good spirit.
Leviticus
19:31 Do not
turn to mediums [who pretend to consult the dead] or to spiritists [who have
spirits of divination]; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.
Galatians
5:19-21 Now the practises of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual
immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of
self-control), idolatry, sorcery {includes mediums and spiritist and witches},
hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions
[that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you
beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will
not inherit the kingdom of God.
1
Timothy 4:1-2 But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in
later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to
deceitful and seductive spirits
and doctrines of demons, [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars
whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of
ethical functioning].
Rules
1
Thessalonians 5:21 But test all things carefully [so you
can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.
Mark
7:8, 9, 13 You disregard and
neglect the commandment of God, and cling
[faithfully] to
the tradition of men. He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting
aside and nullifying the
commandment of God in order to keep your [man-made]
tradition and regulations. So you nullify the [authority of the] word of God [acting as if it did not apply]
because of your
tradition which you have handed down [through the
elders]. And you
do many things such as that.
Colossians
2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty
deception [pseudo-intellectual babble], according to the tradition [and musings]
of mere men, following the
elementary principles of this world, rather than following [the truth—the
teachings of] Christ.
Just
like the Pharisees in the Bible [who made their laws into idols] valuing their
own set of rules and “traditions” above the law of God; we are witnessing
modern day “Christians” doing the exact same thing. People have become so
caught up in the “TRADITIONS” of their RELIGION that they have lost focus on
the TRUTH that comes from teaching the Word of God. A huge majority of “Christians”
actually “actively ignore” the teachings of the Bible today.
Religion
Matthew
23:27-31 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you
are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside, but inside are
full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.
So you,
also, outwardly seem to be just and
upright to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you
build tombs for the prophets and decorate and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had been living
in the days of our fathers, we would not have joined them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those
who murdered the prophets.
When it comes to Religion one must look to the Book
of James to learn what it means to have a PURE and UNBLEMISHED
RELIGION. In James
1:27 we read: “Pure and
unblemished religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our
God and Father is this: to visit and
look after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, and to keep oneself
uncontaminated by the [secular] world.”
When
you look at the “Modern Church” you will be hard pressed to find much that
resembles a Church set apart from the world. You are more likely to find praise
services that resemble secular “worldly” concerts with light shows and smoke
screens. There is not much reverence for the Lord God therefore the Holy Spirit
is grieved because there is no room for Him amongst the noise.
There
are numerous “Religions” that have admittedly thrown out the teachings of TRUTH
from the Bible in favor of their own “New Revelation” or “Enlightened”
teachings, which are lies from the pit of hell. Looking worldwide you will find
religions that have chosen to incorporate the idolatrous worship of the
nationals to gain more followers.
As
Believers in Christ Jesus we should be focusing on our relationship with our
Father God, NOT on an idolatrous commitment to a “church” or “religion”.
2
Peter 2:12-18 But
these [false teachers], like unreasoning animals, [mere] creatures of instinct,
born to be captured and destroyed, reviling things they do not understand, will
also perish in their own corruption [in their destroying they will be
destroyed], suffering wrong [destined for punishment] as the wages of doing
wrong. They count it a delight to revel in the daytime [living luxuriously].
They are stains and blemishes [on mankind], reveling in their deceptions even
as they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, constantly looking for
sin, enticing and luring away
unstable souls. Having hearts trained in greed, [they are] children of a curse.
Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone
astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of
Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness; but he was rebuked for his own transgression:
a mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. These
[false teachers] are springs without water and mists driven by a tempest, for
whom is reserved the gloom of black darkness. For uttering arrogant words of vanity [pompous words
disguised to sound scholarly or profound, but meaning nothing and containing no
spiritual truth], they beguile and
lure using lustful desires, by
sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error.
Leviticus
26:1 You shall not make idols for yourselves,
nor shall you erect an image, a sacred pillar or an obelisk, nor shall you place any figured stone in your
land so that you may bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy
5:9 You
shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous
(impassioned) God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely mine], visiting
(avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of the fathers on the children [that is,
calling the children to account for the sins of their fathers], to the third and
the fourth generations of those
who hate Me.
1
Corinthians 10:7; 1
Corinthians 10:14; Galatians
4:8; Galatians
5:19-21; 1
John 5:21; Colossians
3:5; Revelation
9:20; Isaiah
44:9-20; Isaiah
45:20; Jonah
2:8; Exodus
20:3-6; Leviticus
19:4; Psalm
16:4; Psalm
135:15-18
World
1
John 2:15 Do
not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things
that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not
in him.
We
can get so caught up focusing on the life we are currently living that we can
lose site of the prize, which is the world to come. People can get so caught up
in their careers they feel there is no time for God. Of course everyone needs
to work so they can take care of expenses, but money can become such a focus it
becomes idolatrous. When we focus on our Creator Jehovah God, He will provide
ALL that we need to live {Matthew
6:33}.
Matthew
6:24 No one can
serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he
will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and
mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or
whatever is valued more than the Lord].
James
4:4 You
adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to
God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that, loves the things of
the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world
makes himself an enemy of God.
Romans
8:12-13 So
then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our
human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the
[impulses of the] flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit] - for if you are
living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if
[you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will
[really] live forever.
Romans
12:1-2 Therefore
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies
[dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and
well-pleasing to God, which is
your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to
this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be
transformed and progressively
changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on
godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves]
what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His
plan and purpose for you].
1
Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
2
Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make
mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what
partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can
light have with darkness?
As
you can see from these scriptures it is important that your number one focus is
God. God has delivered you from the things of this world through the blood of
Jesus Christ His Son. Since we are dead to this world Paul encourages us to
quit thinking like the world in Colossians
3:1-3.
None of the Egyptian gods are mentioned in the Bible by name, but we know from history and archeology they existed. This is also the case with 1000's of other Pagan/false gods from Bible times.
In addition, there are numerous false gods from that time that are
very well known today, and even taught about in schools. How many of you had to
memorize the names of the Greek gods and what their "power" was i.e.
Apollo, Ares, Athena, Hera, Hermes, Poseidon, Zeus, etc....?
As Christians, we believe ONLY in the one true God of the Bible.
Thankfully, we don't need numerous, “man-made gods" {who have NO POWER at all}
to guide our lives and live our lives for; just one God, who we will spend all
eternity with one day if and when we place our trust in Jesus Christ.
False gods found in Scripture
Therefore if you have
been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the
dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the
right hand of God. Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things
above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have
only temporal value]. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life
is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians
3:1-3
False gods None of the Egyptian gods are mentioned in the Bible by name, but we know from history and archeology they existed. This is also the case with 1000's of other Pagan/false gods from Bible times.
Isaiah 45:20 Assemble yourselves and come; come together, you survivors of the nations! They
are ignorant, who carry around their wooden idols [in
religious processions or into battle] and keep on
praying to a god that cannot save them.
Jonah 2:8 Those who regard and follow worthless idols turn away
from their [living source of] mercy and
lovingkindness.
Judges 10:14 Go, cry out to the gods you have chosen; let them
rescue you in your time of distress.
Leviticus 19:4 Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten
gods (images cast in metal); I am the Lord your God.
Psalm 16:4 The sorrows [pain and suffering] of those who have
chosen another god will be
multiplied [because of their idolatry]; I will not pour
out their drink offerings of blood, nor will I take
their names upon my lips.
Galatians 4:8 But at that time, when you did not know [the true]
God and were unacquainted with
Him, you [Gentiles] were slaves to those [pagan] things which by [their very]
nature were not and could not
be gods at all.
Revelation 9:20-21 The rest of mankind, who
were not killed by these plagues, did not repent even then of the works of
their hands, so as to cease worshiping and
paying homage to the demons and the idols of gold and of silver and of bronze
and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk and they did
not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries (drugs, intoxication's) nor
of their [sexual] immorality nor of their thefts.
Exodus 20:3-6 You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not
make for yourself any idol, or any likeness (form, manifestation) of what is in
heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth [as an
object to worship]. You shall not worship them nor serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous (impassioned) God [demanding what is
rightfully and uniquely mine], visiting (avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of
the fathers on the children [that is, calling the children to account for the
sins of their fathers], to the third and fourth generations of those who hate
Me, but showing graciousness and steadfast lovingkindness to thousands [of generations] of
those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Isaiah 44:9-20 All who make carved idols are nothing. Their precious
objects are worthless [to them], and their own witnesses (worshipers) fail to
see or know, so that they will be put to shame. Who has made a god or cast an
idol which is profitable for nothing? In fact, all his companions will be put
to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are mere men. Let them all assemble, let
them stand up, let them be terrified, let them together be put to shame.
The iron smith shapes iron and uses a chisel and works it over the coals. He forms the
[idol’s] core with hammers and works it with his strong arm. He also becomes
hungry and his strength fails; he drinks no water and grows tired. The
carpenter stretches out a measuring line, he marks out the shape [of the idol]
with red chalk; he works it with planes and outlines it with the compass; and
he makes it like the form of a man, like the beauty of man, that it may sit in
a house. He cuts cedars for himself, and takes a cypress or an
oak and lets it grow strong for himself among the trees of the forest. He
plants a fir, and the rain nourishes it. Then it becomes fuel for a man to burn, so he takes
one of them and warms himself; he also kindles a fire to bake bread. He also
makes a god [from the same wood] and worships it. He makes it into a carved
idol [with his own hands] and falls down and worships it! He burns half of the
wood in the fire; over this half he [cooks and] eats meat, he roasts meat and
is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, “Aha! I am warm, I have seen the
fire.” But from what is left of the wood he makes a god, his carved idol. He
falls down before it, he worships it and prays to it and says, “Save me, for
you are my god.” They do not know, nor
do they understand, for God has muddied their eyes so that they cannot see, and
their hearts (minds) as well so
that they cannot understand. No one remembers, nor has knowledge and
understanding [enough] to say [to himself], “I have burned half of this log in
the fire, and also baked bread on its coals and have roasted meat and eaten it.
Then I make the rest of it into an repulsive thing [to God]; I bow down [to
worship] before a block of wood!” That kind of man (the idolater) feeds on
ashes [and is satisfied with ashes]! A deceived mind has led him astray, so
that he cannot save himself, or ask, “Is this thing [that I am holding] in my
right hand not a lie?”
Asherah was a Canaanite goddess
Exodus 34:13-14 Asherah was the consort of El, the chief Canaanite god. Wooden poles,
perhaps carved in her image, were often set up in her honour and placed near
other pagan objects of worship. Deuteronomy 7:5; Judges 6:25-30 Gideon destroys an Asherah
pole; 1 Kings 14:15,23; 1 Kings 15:13; 1 Kings 16:33; 1 Kings 18:19 Elijah summons 400 prophets
of Asherah to Mount Carmel. King
Josiah’s reforms: 2 Kings 23:4-7, 13-16; Isaiah 27:9; Jeremiah 17:2; Micah 5:14
Ashtoreth was a goddess of war and
fertility Judges 2:12-13 Ashtoreth, the consort of Baal, was associated with the evening star
and was worshiped as Ishtar in Babylon and as Athtart in Aram. To the Greeks
she was Astarte or Aphrodite and to the Romans, Venus. Judges 10:6; 1 Samuel 7:3-4; 1 Samuel 12:10; 1 Samuel 31:10; 1 Kings 11:5,33
Baal was a Canaanite and Phoenician god of fertility and rain
Judges 2:10-13 Baal, meaning “lord”, was pictured standing on a bull, a popular symbol
of fertility and strength. Baal was associated with Asherah and Ashtoreth,
goddesses of fertility.
Baal-Zebub was a popular deity of the
Philistines Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15 Beelzebub is the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Baal-Zebub”, meaning
“lord of the flies”. See also 2 Kings 1:1-6, 16-17
Bel was the chief deity of Babylon
Isaiah 46:1 Bel was another name for the sun god, Marduk. Nebo, the god of learning
and writing was the son of Marduk. Jeremiah 50:2; Jeremiah 51:44
Chemosh was the chief god of Moab 1 Kings 11:7; Numbers 21:29; 1 Kings 11:33; 2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 48:7,13,46
Egyptian gods Ancient Egypt had more than 40 false gods, although none are mentioned by name in the Bible. They included Re {Ra}, creator sun god; Isis, goddess of magic; Osiris, lord of the afterlife; Thoth, god of wisdom and the moon; and Horus, god of the sun. Oddly, the Hebrew people were not tempted by these gods during their 400+ years of captivity in Egypt. The Ten Plagues of God against Egypt were humiliations of ten specific Egyptian gods.
List of the ten plagues and the Egyptian gods and goddesses
1. Blood - Hapi god of the Nile
2. Frogs – Heket goddess
of fertility, water and renewal
3. Lice or gnats – Geb god of the earth
4. Flies – Khepri god of creation, movement of the sun and rebirth
5. Livestock – Hathor goddess of love and protection
6. Boils – Isis goddess of medicine and peace
7. Hail – Nut goddess of the sky
8. Locust – Seth god of storms and disorder
9. Darkness – Ra the sun god
10. Death of firstborn
– Pharaoh
the ultimate power of Egypt
Mammon was the god of riches. The Golden Calf {Exodus
32:4; Nehemiah
9:18; Acts
7:41} is not only a representation of Yahweh {Yahweh [God]
did NOT approve}; it is also still today a representation of “wealth”. Matthew
6:24; Luke
16:9-11
Molech was the chief deity of Ammon 1 Kings 11:4-5; Leviticus 18:21 The practice of sacrificing
children to Molech was common in Phoenicia and the region; Leviticus 20:2-5; 1 Kings 11:7, 33; 2 Kings 23:10 Josiah destroyed the area
where the altars for child sacrifice were located; 2 Kings 23:13; Isaiah 57:9; Jeremiah 32:35; Jeremiah 49:1, 3; Zephaniah 1:5; Acts 7:43
The worship of
false gods was a snare to God’s people
Numerous attempts were made to stop the worship of Baal and
other false gods Judges 6:28-32; 1 Kings 18:17-40;
2 Kings 10:18-28; 2 Kings 11:18; 2 Kings 23:4-5, 13
Attempts to stop false worship proved unsuccessful
2 Kings 21:3.
The
word “Baal” was not originally a proper name but came to be used as such. 2 Chronicles 28:1-4; Hosea 13:1-2
Warnings
against and condemnation of, the worship of false gods
Psalm 40:4; Daniel 3:29
Nebuchadnezzar came to realize the foolishness of worshipping false gods Psalm 4:2; Jeremiah 13:25; Jeremiah 16:19; Amos 2:4; Zephaniah 1:4
The first
Christians were confronted with the worship of Greek and Roman deities
Zeus and Hermes Acts 14:12 Zeus
was the patron god of the city of Lystra and his temple was there. Paul was
identified as the god Hermes (the Roman
Mercury), Zeus’ attendant and spokesman.
We
also learn from Scripture that people even try to deify other humans. {Acts 12:21-22; Acts 14:12-15; Acts 28:6}
I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you
as begin a new part of your journey living for Christ Jesus by removing
anything and everything in your life that even resembles an idol or false god.
I pray that the peace of God reign in your life as you focus more on Him and
less on the things of this world.
God has not left us unarmed against all
these evil forces coming against us to cause us to lose focus on our Lord and
Savior. In Ephesians 6:10-18 we are given the Armor of God to protect
us and we are encouraged to take captive every thought and purpose to the
obedience of Christ in 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 I want to leave you today with this
beautiful scripture found in Philippians 4.
Philippians 4:6-9 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in
everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with
thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the
peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which
transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. Finally, believers,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable and
worthy of respect, whatever is right and
confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is
anything worthy of praise, think continually
on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. The
things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice
these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.
Through study of the Word of
God the veil of deception from the enemy of God {Satan} will be removed. It is
then and only then you will be able to understand and know the TRUTH from the
Word of God.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman
[tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of
truth.
John 8:31-32 So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had
believed Him, “If
you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them,
then] you are
truly My disciples. And
you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].”
Forever in Christ Jesus Service,
False gods of the Bible
Name of Pagan/False god: Adrammelech
Worshiped By/In: Sepharvites
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:31
Description: Sun-god
Worshiped By/In: Sepharvites
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:31
Description: Sun-god
Name of Pagan/False god: Amon
Worshiped By/In: Thebes in Egypt
Bible References: (Total Verses): Jeremiah 46:25
Description: Sun-god
Worshiped By/In: Thebes in Egypt
Bible References: (Total Verses): Jeremiah 46:25
Description: Sun-god
Name of Pagan/False god: Anammelech
Worshiped By/In: Sepharvites
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:31
Description: Moon-goddess
Worshiped By/In: Sepharvites
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:31
Description: Moon-goddess
Name of Pagan/False god: Asherah (Asherim)
Worshiped By/In: Canaan
Bible References: (Total Verses): Judges 6:25-26; 28, 30
Description: Fertility goddess
Worshiped By/In: Canaan
Bible References: (Total Verses): Judges 6:25-26; 28, 30
Description: Fertility goddess
Name of Pagan/False god: Ashima
Worshiped By/In: Hammath in Syria
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:30
Description: goddess of fate
Worshiped By/In: Hammath in Syria
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:30
Description: goddess of fate
Name of Pagan/False god: Ashtoreth (Ashtaroth)
Worshiped By/In: Syria / Phoenicia / Canaan
Bible References: (Total Verses): 1 Kings 11:5, 33
Description: Love, fertility goddess
Worshiped By/In: Syria / Phoenicia / Canaan
Bible References: (Total Verses): 1 Kings 11:5, 33
Description: Love, fertility goddess
Name of Pagan/False god: Baal
Worshiped By/In: Syria / Phoenicia / Canaan
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 10:18-23, 25-28
Description: Principal god
Worshiped By/In: Syria / Phoenicia / Canaan
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 10:18-23, 25-28
Description: Principal god
Name of Pagan/False god: Baal-berith
Worshiped By/In: Shechem In Canaan
Bible References: (Total Verses): Judges 8:33, Judges 9:4
Description: Name means "lord of covenant"
Worshiped By/In: Shechem In Canaan
Bible References: (Total Verses): Judges 8:33, Judges 9:4
Description: Name means "lord of covenant"
Name of Pagan/False god: Baal-Peor
Worshiped By/In: Moabites
Bible References: (Total Verses): Numbers 25:3, 5
Description: The lord of the house of Horus
Worshiped By/In: Moabites
Bible References: (Total Verses): Numbers 25:3, 5
Description: The lord of the house of Horus
Name of Pagan/False god: Baal-Zebub (Beelzebub in NT Greek)
Worshiped By/In: Ekron In Philstine
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 1:2, 3, 6, 16
Description: Name means "lord of flies" (protection from)
Worshiped By/In: Ekron In Philstine
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 1:2, 3, 6, 16
Description: Name means "lord of flies" (protection from)
Name Of Pagan/False god: Bel (possibly same as Baal)
Worshiped By/In: Moabites / Babylonians / Ammonites
Bible References: (Total Verses): Isaiah 46:1 Jeremiah 50:2, Jeremiah 51:44
Description: Principal god
Worshiped By/In: Moabites / Babylonians / Ammonites
Bible References: (Total Verses): Isaiah 46:1 Jeremiah 50:2, Jeremiah 51:44
Description: Principal god
Name of Pagan/False god: Castor/Pollux (Twin Brothers)
Worshiped By/In: Greeks
Bible References: (Total Verses): Acts 28:11
Description: Twin sons of Zeus protection for sailors
Worshiped By/In: Greeks
Bible References: (Total Verses): Acts 28:11
Description: Twin sons of Zeus protection for sailors
Name of Pagan/False god: Chemosh
Worshiped By/In: Moabites
Bible References: (Total Verses): 1 Kings 11:7, 33
Description: Destroyer, subduer. Child sacrifices made for
Worshiped By/In: Moabites
Bible References: (Total Verses): 1 Kings 11:7, 33
Description: Destroyer, subduer. Child sacrifices made for
Name of Pagan/False god: Dagon
Worshiped By/In: Philistines
Bible References: (Total Verses): 1 Samuel 5:2-5, 7
Description: Grain-god
Worshiped By/In: Philistines
Bible References: (Total Verses): 1 Samuel 5:2-5, 7
Description: Grain-god
Name of Pagan/False god: Diana / Artemis
Worshiped By/In: Ephesus In Greece
Bible References: (Total Verses): Acts 19:24, 27-28, 34-35
Description: Moon, hunting, virginity goddess
Worshiped By/In: Ephesus In Greece
Bible References: (Total Verses): Acts 19:24, 27-28, 34-35
Description: Moon, hunting, virginity goddess
Name of Pagan/False god: Gad (Fortune)
Worshiped By/In: Israel
Bible References: (Total Verses): Isaiah 65:11
Description: the god of fortune
Worshiped By/In: Israel
Bible References: (Total Verses): Isaiah 65:11
Description: the god of fortune
Name of Pagan/False god: Golden Calf
Worshiped By/In: Israel Borrowed from Egypt
Bible References: (Total Verses): Story in Exodus 32
Description: ----------
Worshiped By/In: Israel Borrowed from Egypt
Bible References: (Total Verses): Story in Exodus 32
Description: ----------
Name of Pagan/False god: Jupiter / Zeus
Worshiped By/In: Greeks
Bible References: (Total Verses): Acts 14:12
Description: King god, ruler of heaven and all other gods
Worshiped By/In: Greeks
Bible References: (Total Verses): Acts 14:12
Description: King god, ruler of heaven and all other gods
Name of Pagan/False god: Kalwan (Chiun)
Worshiped By/In: Babylonians
Bible References: (Total Verses): Amos 5:26
Description: Possibly star god
Worshiped By/In: Babylonians
Bible References: (Total Verses): Amos 5:26
Description: Possibly star god
Name of Pagan/False god: Meni (Destiny)
Worshiped By/In: Israel
Bible References: (Total Verses): Isaiah 65:11
Description: ----------
Worshiped By/In: Israel
Bible References: (Total Verses): Isaiah 65:11
Description: ----------
Name of Pagan/False god: Mercury / Hermes
Worshiped By/In: Greeks
Bible References: (Total Verses): Acts 14:12
Description: Messenger for the gods
Worshiped By/In: Greeks
Bible References: (Total Verses): Acts 14:12
Description: Messenger for the gods
Name of Pagan/False god: Merodach / Marduk
Worshiped By/In: Babylonians
Bible References: (Total Verses): Jeremiah 50:2
Description: Possibly associated with Mars, war god
Worshiped By/In: Babylonians
Bible References: (Total Verses): Jeremiah 50:2
Description: Possibly associated with Mars, war god
Name of Pagan/False god: Milcom (Malcham, Malcam)
Worshiped By/In: Ammonites
Bible References: (Total Verses): 1 Kings 11:5, 33
Description: ----------
Worshiped By/In: Ammonites
Bible References: (Total Verses): 1 Kings 11:5, 33
Description: ----------
Name of Pagan/False god: Molech (Moloch)
Worshiped By/In: Ammonites
Bible References: (Total Verses): Leviticus 20:2-5
Description: Destroyer, consumer. Child sacrifices made for
Worshiped By/In: Ammonites
Bible References: (Total Verses): Leviticus 20:2-5
Description: Destroyer, consumer. Child sacrifices made for
Name of Pagan/False god: Nebo
Worshiped By/In: Chaldea in Babylon
Bible References: (Total Verses): Isaiah 46:1
Description: Writing, speech, literature, arts god
Worshiped By/In: Chaldea in Babylon
Bible References: (Total Verses): Isaiah 46:1
Description: Writing, speech, literature, arts god
Name of Pagan/False god: Nehushtan
Worshiped By/In: Israel
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 18:4
Description: Serpent Moses made in wilderness {Numbers 21:4-9}
Worshiped By/In: Israel
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 18:4
Description: Serpent Moses made in wilderness {Numbers 21:4-9}
Name of Pagan/False god: Nergal
Worshiped By/In: Cuth in Babylon
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:30
Description: god of war and destruction
Worshiped By/In: Cuth in Babylon
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:30
Description: god of war and destruction
Name of Pagan/False god: Nibhaz
Worshipped By/In: Avvites
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:31
Description: ----------
Worshipped By/In: Avvites
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:31
Description: ----------
Name of Pagan/False god: Nisroch
Worshiped By/In: Assyrians
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 19:37, Isaiah 37:38
Description: ----------
Worshiped By/In: Assyrians
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 19:37, Isaiah 37:38
Description: ----------
Name of Pagan/False god: Queen Of Heaven (Known As Ishtar)
Worshiped By/In: Assyria / Babylon
Bible References: (Total Verses): Jeremiah 7:18, Jeremiah 44:17-19, 25
Description: Love, war, fertility goddess
Worshiped By/In: Assyria / Babylon
Bible References: (Total Verses): Jeremiah 7:18, Jeremiah 44:17-19, 25
Description: Love, war, fertility goddess
Name of Pagan/False god: Rimmon
Worshiped By/In: Syria
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 5:18
Description: Weather god
Worshiped By/In: Syria
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 5:18
Description: Weather god
Name of Pagan/False god: Sikkuth
Worshiped By/In: Babylonians
Bible References: (Total Verses): Amos 5:26
Description: Saturn god
Worshiped By/In: Babylonians
Bible References: (Total Verses): Amos 5:26
Description: Saturn god
Name of Pagan/False god: Succoth Benoth
Worshipped By/In: Babylonians / Samarians
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:30
Description: goddess
Worshipped By/In: Babylonians / Samarians
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:30
Description: goddess
Name of Pagan/False god: Tammuz
Worshiped By/In: Babylonians / Samarians
Bible References: (Total Verses): Ezekiel 8:14
Description: Vegetation god
Worshiped By/In: Babylonians / Samarians
Bible References: (Total Verses): Ezekiel 8:14
Description: Vegetation god
Name of Pagan/False god: Tartuk
Worshiped By/In: Avvites
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:31
Description: Prince of darkness
Worshiped By/In: Avvites
Bible References: (Total Verses): 2 Kings 17:31
Description: Prince of darkness
Scriptures
for further study
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