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What does the Bible say about idolatry?

Answered in 127 sources

The Bible condemns idolatry, presenting it as a rejection of the one true God, exemplified through the actions of Ahaziah who inquired of Baal Zebub instead of the God of Israel.

Idolatry is a significant theme in Scripture, indicating a rejection of God's sovereignty and truth. The account of Ahaziah in 2 Kings highlights this issue, where he chooses to seek counsel from Baal Zebub, demonstrating a lack of faith in the God who had historically shown His power and presence among His people. God’s question through Elijah, 'Is it not because there is not a God in Israel?' underscores the absurdity of turning to false idols when the true God is available. The Bible presents idolatry as not only a sin but also a condition of the heart that leads to rebellion against God's authority and His commandments.
Scripture References: 1 Kings 22:51-53, 2 Kings 1, Exodus 8:16-19, 1 Thessalonians 1:9, Colossians 3:5, Ezekiel 14:3, Romans 1:21-23, John 1:9, 1 John 5:21, Jeremiah 17:6-10, Exodus 32, Isaiah 44:9-20, Isaiah 41:21-29, 1 Corinthians 10, Ezekiel 36:25, Psalm 135:15-21, Romans 1:22-23, Acts 19, Isaiah, Jeremiah, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, Acts 17:16-23, Isaiah 57:10-14, 1 Corinthians 10:14, Hebrews 10:26-29, Exodus 20:3, Revelation 2:20, Matthew 10:37, Judges 21, Acts 17:16-24, Romans 3:19-20, Ephesians 5:5, Psalm 115:4-8, Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Corinthians 8:4, Exodus 20:3-5, Deuteronomy 4:15-19, Exodus 20:4-5, Acts 17:22-23, 2 Kings 18:1-8, Ephesians 4:18, Acts 17:16, Hosea 4:17, Matthew 15:14, Proverbs 1:23-33, Exodus 20:3-4, Exodus 32:1-10, 1 Corinthians 10:7, Psalm 115, 1 Kings 18, Isaiah 45:20-22, Isaiah 40:18-25, Romans 1:23-25, Ezekiel 24:25-26, Psalm 50:21-22, Romans 1, Acts 17:22-34, Psalm 50:12, Romans 1:22-25, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Daniel 3, Exodus 32:1-8, 1 Kings 18:21-27, Psalm 115:1-8, Jeremiah 16:20, Zechariah 10:2, Joshua 1:1-2, Exodus 20:2-3, Exodus 32:4-8, Psalm 106:19-21, Deuteronomy 28:47-53, 2 Kings 6, Psalm 135:5-18, Exodus 32:1-6, Psalm 50:21, Psalm 135:5-6, 2 Kings 18:4-5, Judges 17, 1 Samuel 4:3-4, Romans 1:18-32, Exodus 34:14, Exodus 20:5, Romans 1:21, Isaiah 42:8, Exodus 32:1-35, 1 Corinthians 10:11, Isaiah 44:10-20, Isaiah 40:18-20, Romans 1:23, 2 Kings 18:4, Romans 6:3-4, 1 Samuel 5, Isaiah 44, 1 Kings 12:28-30, 1 Kings 14:16, Isaiah 46:1-4, Exodus 20:4-6, Isaiah 44:6-9, 2 Kings 23:21-37, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Judges 6:25-28, Romans 1:25, Isaiah 2:22, Colossians 2:8-10, Deuteronomy 4:15-20, Exodus 20:4, Isaiah 46:9, Judges 2:10-23, Isaiah 2:9-22, Job 10:2-3, Isaiah 45:5-6, Samuel 15:22, 1 Kings 17:2-17, Psalm 106:20, Jeremiah 11:11, Jeremiah 2:11, Psalm 106:19-22, Exodus 32:7-8, Acts 17:16-17, Psalm 73:25-26, 1 Kings 18:22-29, Philippians 3:19, 1 John 5:21; 1 Thessalonians 1:9, Isaiah 1:3, 1 Kings 15:9-24, 2 Chronicles 14:1-3, 2 Kings 21:2-6, Revelation 2:18-23, Acts 17:24, Acts 17:16-34, Romans 1:21-25, John 4:23-24, Isaiah 43:10-12, Genesis 49:16-17, Judges 17:6, Exodus 32:19, Psalm 81:9, Matthew 4:10, Judges 13:1-3, Psalm 50, Judges 13:1, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Daniel 3:8-18, Philippians 3:3, Judges 2:12, Judges 3:7, Judges 10:6, Exodus 8:1-13

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