What does the Bible teach about idolatry?

Throughout the Bible there are many passages that teach against idolatry.  In the Old Testament, idolatry was restricted to shunning the worship of graven images, idols, stars, planets, false gods and like manner.  However, the New Testament broadened the definition of idolatry by commanding individuals to remove any hindrance, be it the worship of false gods, graven images, stars, planets, money, success, or like manner which interferes with one’s relationship with God.

Idolatry was listed among the Ten Commandments, with the following words.

“’You shall have no other gods before me.  You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.’” (Deuteronomy 5:7-10 NIV, italics added for emphasis)

Some groups of believers may that take this Old Testament passage to the extreme by saying you cannot make (or take)  images of anything, to include taking photographs of people or making statues to commemorate people.  Obviously, when the entire passage is read within context, the commandment is against people making images of Godly or earthly things, for the purpose of literally worshipping them as gods.  Moses himself encountered this problem among the Israelites while he was speaking with God on Mount Sinai for an extended length of time, as the Israelites wanted instant gratification by worshipping a god they could see…evident by their actions of melting gold jewelry for molding an idol shaped like a golden calf. (Exodus 32)

Even in the New Testament, idolatry was a major problem as Apostle Paul included it several times among the various lists of sinful behaviors.

“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”  (I Corinthians 6:9-10 NIV, italics added for emphasis)

   

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21 NIV, italics added for emphasis)

In Apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he further explained the definition of idolatry, by saying.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (II Timothy 3:1-2, 4-5 NIV, italics added for emphasis)

Overall, Scripture teaches that individuals are to enjoy the things of this world, as long as they do it in righteousness, be it recreation, personal hobbies and interests, success or like manner.  In fact, hobbies and interests play an integral role in the well-roundedness of our personal lives…along with our relationship with God and our niche in our communities.  On the contrary, we still need to use caution about elevating our pleasures and interests, whether intentionally or unintentionally, to a point that makes them trump our relationship with God.  As believers mature, they will understand the importance of removing any hindrance, be it the love of success, money or like manner that interferes with their relationship with God.