Idolatry is the practice of worshipping something other than the one true God, usually a physical entity or an idea It is a form of idolatry to crave money, fame or power more than following God's commands. Idolatry is a sin, as stated in the first of the Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
The Bible warns us of the dangers of idolatry, including its tendency to lead us away from God and into spiritual decay. Idolatry leads us to focus on the temporary things of this world instead of on the eternal things of God. It is a barrier to our spiritual health and our relationship with God. Here are five of the most common examples of idolatry in our lives.
1. Money: Money is often referred to as the “root of all evil” and it invites us to place our value and security in it instead of in God. The Bible tells us that the love of money is a snare that can entrap us, and it warns us not to put our trust in it.
2. Pleasure: Seeking pleasure from the world instead of from God is another form of idolatry. The Bible warns us that pursuing the fleeting pleasures of this world will lead us away from God and keep us from true satisfaction.
3. Power: When we put our confidence in our own power instead of in God’s power, we have replaced God with ourselves. The Bible commands us to humble ourselves before God and to recognize that His power is the only true source of strength.
4. People: Placing our trust in people instead of in God is a form of idolatry. People will disappoint and hurt us, but God will never let us down. The Bible warns us of the danger of trusting in people instead of in God.
5. Materialism: When we place too much importance on physical objects and neglect our spiritual needs, we are worshipping material things instead of the one true God. The Bible instructs us to keep our eyes on God, not on the things of this world.
Idolatry can take many forms, including the five discussed here. In whatever form it takes, idolatry is dangerous to our spiritual health and our relationship with God. To truly draw closer to God, we must lay aside the idols of this world and make God our center.