Introduction: What do we think about idols? What are they? What is the relationship between idols and other spiritual beings? Today, I desire to answer these questions. Two points will stand out for us to commit to: first, worship God alone. Second, we are to live as imagers of God and disciples of Christ, spreading the good news to other imagers so that they too might be redeemed.

1. What is an idol? An object made in a certain shape that represents a certain idea of a spiritual entity. The idols were made in an “image” of the god or goddess they were meant to represent. The idol was the “representative of the deity” within the world. This is not necessarily reality but is what is believed in the ancient near east.

2. Two parallel ideas: there are other spiritual beings besides God and there is no one like the LORD (

‌3. Other spiritual beings: Ps. 82:1-8; Ps. 89:6-7; Is. 6:1-6; Dan. 7:9-10; Dan. 8:16; Dan. 9:21; Dan. 12:1; Rev. 12:7-9; Job 38:7; Deut. 32:8,43; Gen. 6:1-6.

4. The ancient Israelites were not (or were not supposed to be) polytheists; they were simply aware of other spiritual beings out there.

‌5. Third thought: idols are utterly worthless (Ex. 20:3-4; Jer. 2:5; Is. 44:9-20).

6. Spiritual beings are “out there”. Paul helps us in 1 Cor. 8:4-6 and 1 Cor. 10:20).

7. The idol does not speak; it does not work powerfully; it cannot save. It is simply an image of nothing - for it represents nothing. The one who worships it becomes like it - dumb, sightless, speechless, hard, unable to hear. Not literally - but spiritually and in every way that matters. They become people who speak and have nothing to say; they hear words and do not comprehend; they have vision but are unable to see things of import; they are intelligent yet cannot understand or comprehend the truth; their hearts are hardened, to the point they would sacrifice their own children (

Jer. 19:4-6).

8. Only one that saves is the True God; putting faith in him and worship him so that we are conformed to his image.

‌9. Idolatry still exists today - whenever someone worships another god or power, or exalts themselves - their wants, desires, and needs - above the worship of God and the commands of Scripture.

‌10. Ex: Sacrifice to culture - by giving into ideologies, such as transgender.

‌11. Another idolatry: youth and beauty

‌12. Another idolatry: political candidates.

‌Renz: “Whatever we worship, whatever we put at the center of our lives, will give shape and direction to our lives, but the center can only hold if it is the living God himself.”

1. In ancient times there was a ritual to set the idol in the temple, named today by some as the "Mouth Opening ceremony."

‌2. There is no real life in the idol.

‌3. The idol making ceremony might remind us of Genesis 1-2.

1. The LORD is high and lifted up - let all keep silent before him.

‌2. The LORD is now in his temple (the church) - 1 Cor. 3:16; 1 Cor. 6:19.

Our practical application then is to live as both imagers of God and as those in whom the Spirit of God dwells. We are to live our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. We are to share the gospel with other imagers, that they may turn from death to life, darkness to light, and may themselves be filled with the Holy Spirit and turned to the worship of the One True God.

‌Second, to our first point, commit ourselves to worshipping God and God alone. Allow Scripture to fill you with right theology; be conformed not to this world but be renovated by the renewing of your minds through the word of God. Do not cave in to bowing down to the culture and world around you. Let us pray.