What is an Idol?

Crossnote an idol can be almost anything. Something you worship or put more before the God. Be that an object like praying to Mary or the Saints. But It could also just as easily be your partner it could be your family your home or your financial security. I get rather uneasy when thinking about it for to long More so when thinking upon the full comprehension and gravity of Christs words in fully evaluating Jesus words ( Come Follow Me )
 
Yes, I believe so crossnote, some people end up praying to the statue.
Then they pray to the saints, instead of God, and even worship them.

We are also in danger of making people into idols e.g. pop idol.
 
crossnote said:
In today's world what would you consider an idol to be? What would it have in common with the OT idols of stone and wood that could neither hear or speak?
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crossnote said:
Cosia, would you say we need to guard ourselves from statues?...1 John 5:21 NASB95 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
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Good morning, crossnote and Cosia;

Absolutely! When I go to my barber they have a statue head of Julius Caesar. When they ask how I want my haircut I point to the statue and say, not like him! lol!

God bless you, crossnote. This is a good topic.
 
Prim90 said:
Crossnote an idol can be almost anything. Something you worship or put more before the God. Be that an object like praying to Mary or the Saints. But It could also just as easily be your partner it could be your family your home or your financial security. I get rather uneasy when thinking about it for to long More so when thinking upon the full comprehension and gravity of Christs words in fully evaluating Jesus words (Come Follow Me)
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Hello Prim90;

I once witnessed a wedding where the bride wanted a moment to go up, kneel down and pray to the statue of Mary while touching her feet.

Money. I've seen people have their money and coins stacked (bills, silver and gold) and count them. Their eyes are mesmerized at their money.

I've known people that loved their vintage cars and put so much investment in a rare part and forget the more important thing.

If you're uneasy thinking about it too long, this can be a good thing, Prim90.

When we don't gravitate more toward Jesus (Come Follow Me), we can become distracted and embrace an idol without even knowing it.

God bless you, sister.
 
Cosia said:
Yes, I believe so crossnote, some people end up praying to the statue.
Then they pray to the saints, instead of God, and even worship them.

We are also in danger of making people into idols e.g. pop idol.
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Some have said the heart is an idol factory going on with...It is manifested when getting what you want has become more important than what God desires for you. Simply put anything that you are loving, desiring, or serving more than God is an idol of the heart.

Would this fit the statue imagery?
 
Yes it would

When I was sat with someone who was dying, she was going frantic for a small statue that belonged to her. No mention of God. She broke my heart.
 
Prim90 said:
Crossnote an idol can be almost anything. Something you worship or put more before the God. Be that an object like praying to Mary or the Saints. But It could also just as easily be your partner it could be your family your home or your financial security. I get rather uneasy when thinking about it for to long More so when thinking upon the full comprehension and gravity of Christs words in fully evaluating Jesus words ( Come Follow Me )
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pretty much nailed what is a idol anything that keeps you from God and i mean anything a person doing ministry work if not seeking the Lord the ministry can become a idol Jesus family Church if not careful we can get it backwards Church Jesus family
 
bobinfaith said:
Hello Prim90;

I once witnessed a wedding where the bride wanted a moment to go up, kneel down and pray to the statue of Mary while touching her feet.

Money. I've seen people have their money and coins stacked (bills, silver and gold) and count them. Their eyes are mesmerized at their money.

I've known people that loved their vintage cars and put so much investment in a rare part and forget the more important thing.

If you're uneasy thinking about it too long, this can be a good thing, Prim90.

When we don't gravitate more toward Jesus (Come Follow Me), we can become distracted and embrace an idol without even knowing it.

God bless you, sister.
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Bob a bride praying to the Virgin Mary at her wedding. Some funny : ) I wonder what she was praying about. I’m sure the groom was much impressed or maybe more perplexed. As to money. Well the love of money is well attested to and the many material things you mention. They do fill the void for awhile but never enough to fill the void of a desperate hungry heart that Gods essence and love can only fill fully. Why not gravitate more fully to Jesus when considering the ( come follow me command ) you ask. God can only increase our faith in trusting him more fully I guess and not within other things of this world and nor within ourselves . The long war with God does continue daily. Having the faith of a mustard seed be much sought after for me I guess ❤️
 
Prim90 said:
Bob a bride praying to the Virgin Mary at her wedding. Some funny : ) I wonder what she was praying about. I’m sure the groom was much impressed or maybe more perplexed. As to money. Well the love of money is well attested to and the many material things you mention. They do fill the void for awhile but never enough to fill the void of a desperate hungry heart that Gods essence and love can only fill fully. Why not gravitate more fully to Jesus when considering the ( come follow me command ) you ask. God can only increase our faith in trusting him more fully I guess and not within other things of this world and nor within ourselves . The long war with God does continue daily. Having the faith of a mustard seed be much sought after for me I guess ❤️
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Hello Prim90;

As always, thank you for sharing your thoughts. The bride praying to the statue during her wedding, I really don't know why. I was 25 then and I never witnessed anything like that before. It was her wedding day so maybe it was a custom?!? I noticed long after she married it was never brought up in our social circle.

You made a good point about "idols filling the void for awhile." As Christians we have to be very careful when it comes to that.

Temporary (idolation or idolization) of other things can take our attention with no thoughts away from God whereas our attention with thoughts to God go deeper and in the long run is more fulfilling.

God bless you, Prim90.
 
bobinfaith said:
The bride praying to the statue during her wedding, I really don't know why. I was 25 then and I never witnessed anything like that before. It was her wedding day so maybe it was a custom?!?
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Hi Bob.... I can answer this question/dilemma you have in trying to understand what occurred here.
I am a former Catholic and so am familiar with this topic of Mother Mary.

The 95 Theses began the FREEDOM for the CHURCH... and it also EXPOSED the lies and heresies of the Catholic Church. We need to be THANKFUL for Martin Luther as I don't think many understand or realize the DEPTH of importance in his act of QUESTIONING the Catholic church. ( That is my opinion ).

A great many of the Catholic FIGURES were given the false title of sainthood... and they are idolized in the Catholic Church. Mary is given SUPREME authority and title within the Catholic Church. She is falsely represented as having stayed a VIRGIN her entire life. She is seen as the WOMAN of all women and the mother of all mothers.

This bride would have wanted to touch the statue in order to make a plea with Mary to bless her as a bride and a woman. Perhaps even asking her to bless her with children.

It's mind-boggling and so very cringe-worthy... however... this is the largest cult in the world by where the people are indoctrinated from child-hood with these dangerous practices. The biggest problem is that the members of the Catholic church are NOT encouraged to QUESTION Authority.

This is the short answer.
 
hate to kick the golden cow of tos over.. but the above mentioned Church is very much into idols along with praying to Mary is not scripture nor is purgatory . we have to stand for the truth
 
If I have broken the rules... I am sorry for that... but I believe I answered a question that was asked.
I worded my post VERY CAREFULLY... and I prayed before posting. I do believe we have the responsibility of TELLING the TRUTH.
I am NOT bashing this institution.... as a former member of this church... I am simply stating what position they have on Mary ( the mother of Christ ).
 
In Awe of Him said:
Hi Bob.... I can answer this question/dilemma you have in trying to understand what occurred here. I am a former Catholic and so am familiar with this topic of Mother Mary. The 95 Theses began the FREEDOM for the CHURCH... and it also EXPOSED the lies and heresies of the Catholic Church. We need to be THANKFUL for Martin Luther as I don't think many understand or realize the DEPTH of importance in his act of QUESTIONING the Catholic church. ( That is my opinion ). A great many of the Catholic FIGURES were given the false title of sainthood... and they are idolized in the Catholic Church. Mary is given SUPREME authority and title within the Catholic Church. She is falsely represented as having stayed a VIRGIN her entire life. She is seen as the WOMAN of all women and the mother of all mothers. This bride would have wanted to touch the statue in order to make a plea with Mary to bless her as a bride and a woman. Perhaps even asking her to bless her with children. It's mind-boggling and so very cringe-worthy... however... this is the largest cult in the world by where the people are indoctrinated from child-hood with these dangerous practices. The biggest problem is that the members of the Catholic church are NOT encouraged to QUESTION Authority. This is the short answer.
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forgiven61 said:
hate to kick the golden cow of tos over.. but the above mentioned Church is very much into idols along with praying to Mary is not scripture nor is purgatory . we have to stand for the truth
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In Awe of Him said:
If I have broken the rules... I am sorry for that... but I believe I answered a question that was asked.
I worded my post VERY CAREFULLY... and I prayed before posting. I do believe we have the responsibility of TELLING the TRUTH.
I am NOT bashing this institution.... as a former member of this church... I am simply stating what position they have on Mary ( the mother of Christ ).
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forgiven61 said:
its not bashing when you shed light on darkness
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Hello In Awe of Him;

Not to worry. Your point was taken. I only brought up the bride at her wedding alluding to the topic of idols, not my intention to hijack another discussion of it's own in this thread. Since I posed this in my post I'll take responsibility.

forgiven made a valid point that we must stand for the truth. Jesus was not popular and His Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23) was explicitly standing for Truth, and was one of the climaxes of His mission before He went to the Cross.

Still, idols remain a principality of darkness and is very deceptive if we're not careful. When we stay focused on God's covering and protection by prayer and study (of His warnings) in the Bible, we gain wisdom and discernment when an idol creeps in.

God bless you both.
 
crossnote said:
Here also is an interesting verse...

Colossians 3:5 NKJV
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
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Is there a Greek grammarian that coulld tell us if idolatry, in this passage, only relates to coveteousness or does it include the others? (fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire)?
 
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