What is an Idol?
The Bible warns us against Idols. An Idol is any Image we make with out hands, or in our hearts, and bow down to worship them.
[Exo 20:1-6 KJV] 1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. The Jewish People were slaves in Egypt in cruel Bondage. All of mankind is under the cruel Bondage of Sin and Death.
[Heb 2:14-15 KJV] 14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he ( Jesus ) also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
The LORD is very specific: have No other gods before Me. We must not make Graven ( Carve out or Sculpture ) Images of any thing in Heaven , on earth, or under the Sea. All the Nations around Israel Worshiped the Creatures of this world, but not the True Creator.
[Rom 1:17-25 KJV] 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
The Worshipping of Money, Sex, Media Stars, or any thing or person are Idols. Whatever is placed before The LORD GOD is and Idol. It can be a Priest, a Pastor, your Spouse or Children. Any Mediator you go through ( angel, person, dead or alive ) to Pray to God, is an Idol. https://youtu.be/dDVGNRaOC34
[Isa 45:20 NKJV] 20 "Assemble yourselves and come; Draw near together, You [who have] escaped from the nations. They have no knowledge, Who carry the wood of their carved image, And pray to a god [that] cannot save.
[Psa 115:3-8 KJV] 3 But our God [is] in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. 4 Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: 6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: 7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. 8 They that make them are like unto them; [so is] every one that trusteth in them.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the One and Only Mediator between God and Man. The LORD is very Clear on this.
1Tim. 2:3-6 KJV] 3 For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
The Lord is a Jealous God, visiting the Iniquity ( lawlessness ) of the fathers to the 3rd and 4th generation of them that Hate Him. This is why there are Thieves, Murderers, Drug Addicts, Alcoholics and Lawlessness in generations of Families. The LORD passes the fathers Iniquity down to the Children who Hate the LORD. When one of those Children Repent and give their Life unto the LORD, the Curse is lifted, their Sins washed away by their Faith ( trust ) in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 2:8-9 KJV] 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[Rom 10:8-13 KJV] 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
[2Co 5:21 KJV] 21 For he ( the Father ) hath made him ( His Son Jesus ) [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
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