IDOLS

In the United States, when someone thinks of idols, he may think only of statues that people worship in certain parts of the world. He may not consider that a television can be an idol. He may not consider that an automobile, house, certain possessions, a hobby, a person, a political party, a cause, a job, a sport, an addiction, lusts, pleasures, or some other thing, can become an idol.
A person may not consider that stubbornness is as idolatry in the eyes of God. Covetousness is also considered idolatry in the eyes of God. A person seldom considers that his own selfishness can be an idol, as "self" is more important than God.
Very few consider that anything, which is more important to a person than obeying God, may be considered an idol.
Astrology, money, gold, silver, investments, success, popularity, pride, and many other such things, are also idols to people.
Idols are an abomination to the Lord. God is a jealous God.
Those that make, possess, or worship idols are cursed.
To put anything before God, or to esteem any created thing more than God the Creator, is wickedness and a form of idolatry.
God’s warning is clear: do not do it.
Following are a few of the many verses in the Bible, relating to the subject of idols and idolatry.

In every nation of the world, people worship and serve idols. The Bible declares such things are an abomination to the Lord. There is a curse on all who practice idolatry—those that make, possess, believe in, serve, or worship graven images or idols. An idol can be anything that comes before Almighty God. Anything that is more important to a person or cherished more than God is an idol.
In America, people are devoted to possessions, pleasures, and the pursuit of happiness. Television, computers, the Internet, money, sex, self, prosperity, fame, sports, their job, car, house, addictions, are some of the many things that often come before God. Unsaved friends or relatives often come before God. Warnings from the pulpit about the dangers of listening to and following the counsel of the ungodly are seldom given; and when they are given, they are seldom heeded. Many verses are either ignored or not understood in this lukewarm generation, such as Lk 16:26-IF ANY MAN COME TO ME AND HATE NOT HIS FATHER, AND MOTHER, AND WIFE, AND CHILDREN, AND BRETHREN, AND SISTERS, YEA, AND HIS OWN LIFE ALSO, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. Should God direct a person to give up some of these, rebellion and stubbornness would arise quickly from most.
Scriptures that tell a person to deny himself and follow Jesus-ref Lk 9:23, are seldom heard in the churches anymore. Scriptures that tell a person to SELL THAT YE HAVE AND GIVE ALMS-Lk 12:33 are often explained away as not meaning what they say.
Yet these verses shall judge each of us. It is clearly written in Luke 14:33-SO LIKEWISE, WHOSOEVER HE BE OF YOU THAT FORSAKETH NOT ALL THAT HE HATH, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE.
God is a jealous God. There is to be nothing that comes before HIM and obeying HIS WORD.
Remember the greatest commandment of all? In Mt 22:37, JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND.
Mk 12:30-AND THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND, AND WITH ALL THY STRENGTH: THIS IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.
Lk 10:27,28-AND HE ANSWERING SAID, THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL THY MIND; AND THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF. AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, THOU HAST ANSWERED RIGHT: THIS DO, AND THOU SHALT LIVE.
God’s Word also says in Jn 14:21-HE THAT HATH MY COMMANDMENTS, AND KEEPETH THEM, HE IT IS THAT LOVETH ME: AND HE THAT LOVETH ME SHALL BE LOVED OF MY FATHER, AND I WILL LOVE HIM, AND WILL MANIFEST MYSELF TO HIM.
Jn 15:10-IF YE KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, YE SHALL ABIDE IN MY LOVE; EVEN AS I HAVE KEPT MY FATHER'S COMMANDMENTS, AND ABIDE IN HIS LOVE.
Jn 14:15-IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.