What does God say about idol worship?

What is wrong with idol worship?

When Hindus prostrate themselves before images of their gods, these are idols. … No Hindu is under the impression that the idol or image is in fact God or the demi-god of choice. We are perfectly aware that it is only a representation of an idea; and therefore we do not worship it but the idea behind it.

What does Paul say about idols?

Since Paul believed that whatever does not proceed from trust is sin (Rom 14:14), when the weak do not eat idol food out of knowledge or a sense of freedom but out of a fear of being ridiculed, they are guilty of sin.

What is the punishment for idol worship?

Historically, the punishment for idolatry was often death. According to the Bible, the commandment was originally given to the ancient Israelites by the Lord after they had escaped from slavery in Egypt, as described in the Book of Exodus.

Which religion do not worship idols?

Thus, an important point is made: Hindus don’t worship idols, believing them to be Gods. Rather, they view the statues and images as physical representations of God to help them focus on an aspect of prayer or meditation.

What does Jesus say about idolatry?

You shall have no other gods before me. This is expressed in the Bible in Exodus 20:3, Matthew 4:10, Luke 4:8 and elsewhere, e.g.: Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God.

How does the Bible define an idol?

idolatry, in Judaism and Christianity, the worship of someone or something other than God as though it were God. … Even true doctrine (e.g., true doctrine about idolatry) may become an idol if it fails to point beyond itself to God alone.

Does the Bible say not to make idols?

You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the …

Why is idolatry evil?

Idolatry is the radical obverse of the conviction that God exists because idolatry radically displaces the One God with some other god or gods, and idolaters are as convinced of their other god or gods as theists are convinced of their One God.

Do not make yourself an idol meaning?

The English word “idol” in translations of the Bible may represent any of several Hebrew words. In the commandment “You shall not make for yourselves an idol”, the word is pesel, indicating something carved or hewn. … Some terms represent the consistently negative moral view with which idols are portrayed by the Bible.