An idolater is someone who somehow makes a substitute for God. Something other than God takes first place in the idolater’s heart.
You can get into idolatry by “…loving anything more than God, or participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul…” – Verse 14 of 1 Corinthians 10:9-14. 1
An idol replaces God
The Bible explains here that an idol is anything that replaces God and His rightful place:
- Any carved image that is worshipped (“graven image” KJV)
- Misplaced love: “loving anything more than God”
- Misplaced attention: “participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul”
- practicing anything that leads to sin
- harmful addictive behavior that enslaves (MirrWebster: addiction)
There is a place for idolaters
In the Bible, it’s a no-brainer: No one “who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” No exception. Scary thought.
The idolater accepts an object to worship in place of God, and/or is ensnared by an addiction that leads to sin, and/or develops a practice that enslaves the soul. They are lost for eternity.
“For this you know with certainty,
that no immoral or
impure person or
covetous man,
who is an idolater,
has an inheritance in
the kingdom of Christ and God.”
– Ephesians 5:5
“loving anything more than God”
It’s a matter of your heart …the lusts of their own hearts” –Romans 1:v24. Elsewhere God says that if a person persists and persists and persists… in his/her sin, He Himself may eventually give them full rein (like dropping the reins that guide a galloping horse and letting the horse go willy-nilly where IT wants).
God is patient and kind, “not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9), but don’t test God in this. This matter of His extreme forgiving heart… has its limits.
– Source: Tempting God
The antidote to idolatry
The antidote against falling into idolatry? Run far from it! Stay far away from any kind of idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:14
AMP
14 Therefore, my beloved, run [keep far, far away] from [any sort of] idolatry [and that includes loving anything more than God, or participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul].
FOR MORE:
Practicing sin, not following Christ
Excerpt: Are you practicing sin? Is there sin you constantly practice? Have you grown accustomed to accepting [“your” sin] as okay with God? Are you okay with the practices of your life? Scripture teaches us very clearly what is obviously …NOT following Christ. In fact, we are warned that “that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” You are not following Christ if this is characteristic of you: Galatians 5:16-21.
The one-off offer Jesus makes to everyone
How you can know you are a Christian
There is a broad road that says Heaven but goes to Hell
Hating is life changing – eternal life changing. Scary thought.
Hell by God …a series about Hell:
Going to hell? | Hell is home | Not afraid of hell | Hell’s Quotes | Hell is real | and more.
Growing into our natural new life in Christ
The Bible is the standard for Christian thought and practice. Not me. Not you.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 10:9-14 9 “We must not tempt the Lord [that is, test His patience, question His purpose or exploit His goodness], as some of them did—and they were killed by serpents. 10 And do not murmur [in unwarranted discontent], as some of them did—and were destroyed by the [a]destroyer.
11 Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation]. 13 No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].
14 Therefore, my beloved, run [keep far, far away] from [any sort of] idolatry [and that includes loving anything more than God, or participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul].
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