Idol worshippers across history have not always realized the idols they worshipped would become inhabited by the demons their idols represented. Their worship invited demonic spirits to come and occupy their idols.
In I Corinthians 8:4 Paul wrote,” We all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God.” Later in chapter 10 of Corinthians, Paul again wrote, “What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God.”
Paul wanted his readers to know that the sacrifices people offer to a false god are sacrifices to a demonic spirit. These spirits represent a much larger and invisible presence in the unseen world of spiritual powers. These demonic spirits gain an earthly expression and demonstration through the false idols they inhabit.
It’s not just about worshipping a carved image. An idol is anything that replaces our trust in God, giving our devotion to the spirit the idol represents.
In the time of Habakkuk, the idols were fishing nets, “Then they will worship their nets and burn incense in front of them . These nets are the gods who have made us rich! they will claim” (Habakkuk 1:16).
Today, some people stand before an image of Buddha or Shiva, or a similar created image, and invite the spirit representing those idols to come. For many, these acts of worship are done in ignorance. It was not their plan to worship a demonic presence. Their worship is done under the influence of demonic delusion and deception.
The more devious forms of idol worship are not so easily discerned or seen. It can be the worship of success, wealth, or even personal safety. While these representations do not look like a physical image of a person or thing, they do reveal where a person has placed their trust. One choice invites the presence of God and His angelic host. The other choice invites Satan and his demons.
We don’t hear much today about demons, where they reside, and how they function. This is a valuable study that will keep our worship pure and devoted only to Jesus, not an imposter god. That understanding will break the grip of delusion held by those who have not yet learned the realities of such a study. There is always a consequence of who and what we choose to worship.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Garris Elkins
Featured Image by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
