Revelation 9:20 'And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk. '
A besetting problem of humanity is stubbornness; another is idolatry. Even when confronted with the most terrible consequences imaginable, humanity largely refuses to change their ways. Unbelievers who are not killed by the events described in this chapter still refuse to repent and neither do they show remorse nor have any desire for a change of mind, heart or actions.
Whether in the literal sense of bowing to statues, or in the symbolic sense of placing wealth, possessions and pleasure above God, idolatry is among the most dangerous and condemned sin in Scripture. Paul warned the Corinthians about idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:19–21), and the apostle John commanded: 'Little children, keep yourselves from idols'. (1 John 5:21).
A dictionary definition of idolatry is that of an extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone and whether that be a possession, hobby, career or worldly personality either religious or secular, we must always be aware of the ever present danger of allowing anything or anyone to replace God in our lives.
In today's world with its powerfully motivating electronic and social media advertising and entertainment industry, the transition to idolatry is not difficult and the transition can be both imperceptible and indiscernible unless one is continuously aware of the possibility.
In Matthew 6:24 Jesus tells us that - No man can serve two masters: for either he. will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other, You cannot serve God and mammon.
We take His words lightly at our peril.
A besetting problem of humanity is stubbornness; another is idolatry. Even when confronted with the most terrible consequences imaginable, humanity largely refuses to change their ways. Unbelievers who are not killed by the events described in this chapter still refuse to repent and neither do they show remorse nor have any desire for a change of mind, heart or actions.
Whether in the literal sense of bowing to statues, or in the symbolic sense of placing wealth, possessions and pleasure above God, idolatry is among the most dangerous and condemned sin in Scripture. Paul warned the Corinthians about idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:19–21), and the apostle John commanded: 'Little children, keep yourselves from idols'. (1 John 5:21).
A dictionary definition of idolatry is that of an extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone and whether that be a possession, hobby, career or worldly personality either religious or secular, we must always be aware of the ever present danger of allowing anything or anyone to replace God in our lives.
In today's world with its powerfully motivating electronic and social media advertising and entertainment industry, the transition to idolatry is not difficult and the transition can be both imperceptible and indiscernible unless one is continuously aware of the possibility.
In Matthew 6:24 Jesus tells us that - No man can serve two masters: for either he. will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other, You cannot serve God and mammon.
We take His words lightly at our peril.
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