What are some forms of modern idolatry?

what does the bible say?

Modern idolatry occurs whenever anything—whether a person, object, habit, or desire—takes the place of God in our hearts. The Bible shows that idolatry is not only literal worship of statues or false gods, but it also includes greed, lust, pride, and selfish ambition (Exodus 20:3; Colossians 3:5). Idols lead hearts away from God (Psalm 115:4–8; Ezekiel 16). God alone deserves our love, obedience, and devotion (Deuteronomy 6:4–5; Matthew 22:37–38). Modern idolatry is spiritually dangerous because it can enslave us and open the door to other forms of sin and deception (1 Corinthians 10:19–20). Ultimately, idolatry is overcome by centering our affections and lives on Jesus Christ, loving Him above all else, and living for His glory.

from the old testament

• The first of the Ten Commandments was that God’s people should have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3). Idolatry is replacing God’s prominence in our lives with any other object, person, or practice.
• The great Shema of Israel was to love God with all your heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4–5). Loving God must have the greatest place in our lives. Loving anything above Him is idolatry and leads us astray from the truth.
• Idols are lifeless, powerless, and cannot save. Yet, people give power to idols, and the Bible warns that those who trust them become like them (Psalm 115:4–8; Isaiah 44:9–20).
• Idolatry is spiritual adultery that breaks covenant with God and provokes His judgment (Judges 2:11–13; Hosea 2:13; Ezekiel 16).
• God calls His people to destroy idols completely, not tolerate or imitate them (Deuteronomy 12:2–4).
• Idolatry leads to moral corruption and injustice, turning people’s hearts away from God (2 Kings 17:15–17; Jeremiah 2:11–13).

from the new testament

• Behind idols exists real demonic influence, making idolatry spiritually dangerous (1 Corinthians 10:19–20).
• Christians are called to turn from idols to serving the living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
• Idolatry characterizes the unrighteous who will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19–21; Revelation 21:8).
• True worship directs the heart toward God alone, offering ourselves to Him, rather than to created things (Romans 12:1–2).
• Greed, lust, and anything else that rules the heart can function as modern idols (Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5).
• Colossians 3 helps us underst and modern forms of idolatry. Colossians 3:5 notes, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
• Contrasting the former lives of his readers with their new lives in Christ, Paul lists various sins that serve as other “gods” in place of Jesus Christ. He adds in Colossians 3:7–8, “In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” Paul’s list specifically includes ten forms of idolatry, but these are likely not intended to cover every possible form. The idea is that idolatry can include any way of life that places another object, person, or practice before the Lord.
• In Matthew 22:37–38, Jesus repeated the call for us to love God above all else, calling it the great and first commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”

implications for today

Idolatry has traditionally been associated with the worship of physical idols, gods and goddesses in the form of statues made by human hands. Still today, many around the world bow down before various idols. However, there are other forms of idolatry that are also addressed in the Bible. There is truly nothing new under the sun, and even though idolatry might look different today than it did in the Old Testament or New Testament, it is still placing another person, object, or practice above God, and it is still sin that draws us away from God. How can these modern forms of idolatry be stopped? Paul offers a positive alternative in Colossians 3:12–17. These ten practices include compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiveness, love, peace, and thankfulness. In the end, he summarizes, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). When everything a person does is for Jesus Christ, then idolatry is no longer a controlling factor in a believer’s life. Paul wrote to Christians who lived in a society in which both literal idolatry and other forms of idolatry were common. Regardless of the form of idolatry, the answer is to turn from idolatry and to live as God’s children, doing everything for the glory of God.

Recap

understand

• Idolatry is placing and object, person, or tradition before God.
• Modern idolatry can include worshiping physical idols or putting anything in God’s place of prominence.
• Idolatry leads us astray from what is true and good.

reflect

• How do you underst and the meaning of idolatry, according to the Bible?
• How are you tempted to worship or to put in a place of prominence things other than God?
• What helps you to recognize when you are idolizing things above God?

engage

• How are modern forms of idolatry similar to or different from idolatry in the Bible?
• Why is idolatry such a serious sin?
• How can we help each other guard against idolatry?