Webster’s New World dictionary defines idolatry as the worship of idol or excessive reverence for or devotion to a person or thing. An Idol is an image of god used as an object of worship or any object of ardent or excessive devotion. Also an idol could be described as an object or a figure made of wood, metal or stone to which primitive people worshiped and pray to and offer sacrifices. Most of these objects were impotent and lifeless. They had heads but neither think nor reason; had legs but hand-carried. They had fixed hands that could not move; eyes and ears that neither see nor hear and their nose perceived no smell. They are mute and powerless. This description is physical and mentally correct. However the scriptures define ‘idol as any form of anything intend or meant to represent God’; something that a person put before him/her allowing the thing or person to take the place of God that may be capable of causing him/her to stumble into iniquity; be distracted or deceived from God [Deuteronomy 4:15-18; Ezekiel 14:3ff]. The Longman dictionary of contemporary English describes idol as something or someone we love or admire very much to a point of worshiping; a picture of status that is worshiped as a god by men.
In Idolatry in our land, Pastor Joshua Kanu Oji described “idolatry as the practice of worshiping idols. Men do this in various forms; some kiss, dance, bow, pray and even praise these gods.” Primitive people worship these objects as a way to reach the invisible and Supreme Being that is responsible for their existence, wellbeing and creation [Acts 17:16ff]. They believe that these objects created by God have ways to reach, appease and commune with Him on their behalf. They offered sacrifices and attuned these objects: trees, stones, soil, and man-made figures, when they had fallen into iniquities, felt less of God’s presence, in captivity and seek yield of the farm. In time of ignorance the God that sits at mercy seat show mercies. In our modern world, mankind has made tremendous advancement in technology. We seem to focus on these man’s ingenuities and in government institutions to solve our problems rather than on God who gives the knowledge of discovery to mankind. This is similar to how our primitive parents place their confidence on carved images rather on God of creation. We become our judges and can evaluate the progress mankind has made in this direction in our societies.
Idolatry is not just the carved images that sit in pagan temple; they include the godless cravings and commitments that rule human hearts. These cravings include: greed, lust, covetousness, and love for money, pride, and passion for worldliness as well as do-it-yourself idolatry. In our age, people pride in wickedness, belong to secret societies, dabble into occult practice using physical objects such as Ouija Boards, tarot cards, crystals to tell fortune and checking on horoscope from Astrologers. Sadly some of these things are aired on radios and television channels for wider audience. Similarly psychotherapies apply their own principles and methods to deal with human needs. They believe that human beings can become whatever they want apart from God. Hence they do things unscriptural.
Unfortunately, these indulgences have infiltrated the society and the Church; causing unbelieving believers to drift in faith. These people want God’s power but oppose Him. They dip God’s promises but skip his commands. They worship wealth, riches and mankind. As far as you have made it, you become a mini-god, an institution having numerous followers and sycophants that can dine with royalty. In some communities and Churches, you suddenly become indispensable; everything rotates around you and you become everything to everybody. The scripture is right when it says that money answers everything [but is not everything]. Little wonder Apostle Ini Okpon admonishes that anointing without money is annoyance and testimony is made from test and money.
Writing on Modern Idolatries, Arthur Osborne opines idol as a pejorative term used by followers of certain religion with the purpose of bringing other religions into contempt by suggesting that the images and symbols they worship are not in fact symbols but idols; objects to which independent reality and sanctity are attributed.. An object is an idol when independent divinity is attributed to it but a symbol if supported by devotion of worshipers and canalized the grace of God. Idolatry has grown to include cause or idea: Nationalism, science, art, sexual allegiance, worship of money and self.
Freedom of religion accommodates multiplicity of gods and religion. Religious attachment is faded out and replaced by emotional attachment. Emotional attachment involves doing what we like and living for mere pleasure and convenience, decline of biblical beliefs and switching to some substitutes or alternative gods. People seem to believe in Doctors report, News report and Civil laws as well as tarot finding than God’s truth. This is not entirely new; after-all, the ancient Greeks showed more loyalty to their civilization than the God who made and sustained them just like western nations do today. The Romans’ city-state expanded into a bureaucratic empire; they adopted world allegiance and rejected divine allegiance. In our age the advance world adopts free society where nationalism reigns supreme alongside idolatrous glorification.
Science on the other hand has become a giant monster and psychological treatment has replaced religion. Psychologist treats patients psychologically without the vital Spiritual ingredients resulting in superficial amelioration. While Spiritual truth transmutes its seeker, science appears to leave a person the same narrow way it met him / her. However the most pervading idolatry in our age and time is the worship of self. Idolatry has grown wider to include the worship of other human beings. Our modern world is a world of idols, an idolatrous world and generation.
The divinity of union has become an idolatry of sex. Our media is saturated with sexy words, acts, and fashion as well as anything that pleases the body – rape, porn, lust, and homosexuals. The tenth of the ten commandment re-emphases on the 7th commandment: ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ It says do not covet…… In this commandment, God brought into play the Spiritual element as above behavioral aspect. Coveting your neighbor’s does include an illegal desire for someone’s husband or wife. The man/ woman could just be a mere object of needs fulfillment. This foul practice is rampant now in our communities and tears down the very fabric of our society; thereby bringing the nation closer to the brink of collapse. Coveting your neighbor’s belonging is an object of self gratification. The simply desire to have them may lead to taking them. James McBride opines covetousness stretches its deadly tentacles into all facet of society. Indeed this deadly disease has infiltrated our society and expunged contentment as a worthy virtue.
In the advance world, the cheap plastic-credit card buy-now-pay-later introduces a new lifestyle that has left many in heart breaks, despairs and a prey of the predatory loan sharks. The lavish lifestyle of Hollywood star and entertainment sectors flaunted by the media stimulated the avarice of adults and teens to lust after unattainable riches. Many have been forced into criminal activities to get rich quick and some end up in jail. The Lotto [gamble] sponsored by government help to promote the quest for quick money with no labor and encourage instant gratification.
The scripture urges Christians to flee idolatry and be content with things we have [Col.3: 5; Heb 13: 5]. “Happiness is not getting what you want but wanting what you have.” King Solomon advises, “Wealth acquired hastily dwindles away but he who gathers by labor increases.” Apostle Paul says godliness with contentment is great gain……those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men into destruction and perdition……flee these things and pursue righteousness.” [1 Tim 6: 6-11].
Elder Ogbonnaya, Godswill can be reached by email:gkapin53@yahoo.com