When some think of idolatry, they imagine that it only has to do with people in remote places of the world who make graven images and bow down and worship them. While this practice is idolatry, Exodus 20:5, and such practice is condemned by God, yet idolatry is much deeper than the mere outward worship of man-made images.

The LORD God warned against the sinner ‘that setteth up his idols in his heart,’ v. 4. ‘The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?’ Jeremiah 17:9. Again, the God declares in His inspired Word, ‘Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life,’ Proverbs 4:23. And again, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen,” 1 John 5:21.

One may ask, ‘Why so many warnings about idolatry given to those who are the LORD’s?’ It is a reminder that idolatry is inherent to the sin nature, and but for the redeeming and regenerating grace of God, we would all remain idolaters, and our idolatry would draw us most certainly away from God. To be an idolater, it takes only a thought (idolatry comes from the word “idea”). Paul, writing in Colossians 3:5, stated, ‘Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.’ Covetousness, which is in the heart by nature, is described as idolatry. It is listed right along with fornication, inordinate affection and evil concupiscence (passion of lust), all of which are thoughts and desires. Therefore, idolatry extends beyond the worship of idols and images and false gods. Even for those who do not bow physically before a statue, idolatry is a matter of the heart—pride, self-centeredness, greed, gluttony, a love for possessions and ultimately rebellion against God.

The nation of Israel fell into open idolatry soon after their deliverance from Egypt and having witnessed all of the wondrous works of redemption that the LORD had accomplished for them. Acts 7:39- “To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt.” This is a very clear description of idolatry.

1. Refusing to bow in submission to Christ, even as the children of Israel questioned and denied the person and work of Moses as Mediator. Initially, this is why God decreed that ^“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth,” Exodus 20:4. The ONE image of Himself He purposed to be in the body of His Son alone, by whom He would accomplish the redemption and justification of His people in the offering up of that body in sacrificial death. Hebrews 1:3.

2. Thrusting the LORD Jesus from them, as they did Moses. To thrust from is a violent reaction of rejection of the One that God has established as the Mediator. Any who reject the Christ of Scripture are idolaters, and crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, Hebrews 6:6. Is it any wonder that God hates idolatry?! There is no greater rebellion than to reject that God has ordained for the glory of His Son alone.

3. Turning in their hearts back again into conditional, works bondage, as Israel was in subjection when still in Egypt. Isn’t it amazing that men and women in their idolatry would prefer the leeks and onions of Egypt (bitter to taste) rather than the manna from heaven (Christ) and the water of life (Christ)?