The most poisonous bitter root that can spring up and defile many is the sin of idolatry, which is defined as 1. (n.) The worship of idols, images, or anything which is not God; the worship of false gods. 2. (n.) Excessive attachment or veneration for anything; respect or love which borders on adoration –Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary
Consider these stern warnings against idolatry. Hear, fear, and do more likewise…
“Suppose someone secretly entices you—even your brother, your son or daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend—and says, ‘Let us go worship other gods’—gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known. They might suggest that you worship the gods of peoples who live nearby or who come from the ends of the earth. But do not give in or listen. Have no pity, and do not spare or protect them. You must put them to death! Strike the first blow yourself, and then all the people must join in. Stone the guilty ones to death because they have tried to draw you away from the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of slavery. Then all Israel will hear about it and be afraid, and no one will act so wickedly again. (Deuteronomy 13:6-11)
Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idolatry
“Go west and look in the land of Cyprus; go east and search through the land of Kedar. Has anyone ever heard of anything as strange as this? Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols! The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay,” says the LORD. “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! (Jeremiah 2:10-13)
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols
But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So, because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. (Colossians 3:5-11)
The power of the sinful nature was crucified with Jesus Christ, so Christians don’t have to be ruled by that nature anymore. Therefore, Christians don’t have to be controlled by their sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. They do not have to resort to religious idolatry. They do not have to resort to physical idolatry. Instead, they can have a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They can put on their new nature and be renewed.
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