What is Idolatry?
Lev 26:1
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.
The LORD GOD is a Jealous God. He will not have his creation worshipping false gods.
[Exodus 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.
The first two commandments are clear. The LORD led Israel out of Egyptian slavery. Many worshiped the gods of Egypt. Making a graven image (carved from wood or stone) or any likeness of anything that is in heaven, or in the earth, or in water under the earth is strictly forbidden. You are not to Bow Down or serve them. The Lawlessness of the fathers that hate the LORD will be put on their children unto the third and fourth generation. Yet He is merciful to them who love and obey His commandments.
Now I must share an uncomfortable truth with you. Do you have Idols in your church? Are there statues you pray to and bow down to? Some churches have pictures called Icons. It may not be molten or carved, but it is an image nevertheless. You may have grown up in a church with Idols. It seems perfectly normal to you. Many say, "We do not worship the statues or icons, but venerate the saints." The scriptures are clear: 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,... The issue is not if you worship or Venerate the saints. It is not to make them at all, so that you will not be tempted to worship them. The LORD judged Israel for this sin, and scattered them throughout the Nations.
There are many examples of men worshipping angels and saints, where it was forbidden.
[Leviticus 26:1 KJV] 1 Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up [any] image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I [am] the LORD your God.
[Deuteronomy 4:19 KJV] 19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, [even] all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
[2 Kings 17:16 KJV] 16 And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, [even] two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.
In Acts 10:25,26 the Apostle Peter brings the Gospel to Cornelius. He tries to worship Peter, but is told not to. [Acts 10:25-26 KJV] 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped [him]. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
The Apostle John also tried to worship an angel. [Revelation 22:9 KJV] 9 Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. The only man who received worship from men was the God-man. [John 1:14 KJV] 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
[Matthew 2:11 KJV] 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
[Matthew 14:33 KJV] 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
[Matthew 28:9 KJV] 9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Even Mary recognized the Lord was her Savior. [Luke 1:46-47 KJV] 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
No where in the Bible is prayer made to anyone but the LORD, and His Son, The Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer is made only to God. [1 Timothy 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.
Dear reader, Do you hear what the scripture is saying? One Mediator. Salvation is through the Lord Jesus Christ, and him alone. Hear the Word of God and Believe.
[Romans 10:9-13 KJV] 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.
Call upon Him today. He will give you His Holy Spirit, and a totally New Life. I also came from a church full of Idols and Icons. They never opened the Bible to explain. One day a man in a park appoached me. He opened God's word and told me to read Eph. 2:8,9
[Ephesians 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.
I read it, and for the first time in my life I understood the Lord Loves me, and wants to forgive me of my sins, not because I deserve it, but because of His great Love and Mercy. Salvation cannot be earned. It is given as a gift by Him who Laid His life down for you, and was raised the 3rd day. He has defeated death and the devil, and offers you His Gift of Eternal Life right now. Simply receive it by faith. I am saved now over 50 years. I know my sins are forgiven, and I have Eternal Life.