Man-Made Worship
Apr 15, 2006
In Old Testament times, idol worship was prevalent. People invented their own gods and worshipped them. Many followed false gods named Baal (Numbers 25:1-3, 2 Kings 1:2). The Philistines worshipped Dagon (1 Samuel 5:1-5). Even the Israelites were caught up in serving false gods on many occasions (Judges 2:11-14, Judges 10:10, 2 Chronicles 28:1-4).
These actions were certainly foolish. The false gods and idols that they worshipped and served were of no benefit to them. When the people cried out to their false gods for help, they were not saved (Jeremiah 11:12). Those who chose to serve false gods instead of the true God received no help from God, who instead suggested that they seek aid from the gods they had chosen (Judges 10:13+14). Idols proved to be of no value whatsoever. They were incapable of good or evil (Isaiah 41:23+24). They were “worthless” and “nothing,” except for “wind and confusion” (Isaiah 41:29). Idols could not speak, see, hear, smell, or do anything else (Psalm 115:5-8).
The reason that idols and false gods were so worthless is clear. They were made up by men (Psalm 115:4+8). It was of no benefit for a man to serve a god that he had created himself. It could not hold him up when he was weak, but he had to hold it up (Jeremiah 10:4). It could not carry him when he was in trouble, but he had to carry it (Jeremiah 10:5). Idols and false gods, created by men, were utterly worthless.
It’s very easy for us today to look back at those idol worshippers from long ago and wonder what they were thinking. How could they have possibly thought that fake gods invented by men would be able to aid, protect, deliver, or reward them? Jeremiah 10:8 says that “a wooden idol is a worthless doctrine.” It was a worthless doctrine because it was dreamed up by men. How many doctrines and religions commonly practiced today are worthless for the very same reason?
The New Testament is abundant with warnings against religious beliefs created by men. Jesus criticized those who taught and practiced their own ideas, instead of what was from God (Matthew 15:3-9). Colossians 2:8 warns against letting “anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men.” Also, 1st Timothy 4:1-3 warns that there will be false doctrines of “forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from foods which God created…”
Are your religious beliefs from God or from men? Does your religion bear God’s name, or some man’s name? Do you go by what the word of God, the Bible says, or do you go by whatever your religious leader tells you? Simply trusting a belief system that comes from some man is no different than trusting in an idol or a false god because they are both man-made. Instead, study the word of God and follow that. Please remember that “it is a very small thing” to be judged by men (1 Corinthians 4:3). God judges us (1 Corinthians 4:4), and that is no small thing.
These actions were certainly foolish. The false gods and idols that they worshipped and served were of no benefit to them. When the people cried out to their false gods for help, they were not saved (Jeremiah 11:12). Those who chose to serve false gods instead of the true God received no help from God, who instead suggested that they seek aid from the gods they had chosen (Judges 10:13+14). Idols proved to be of no value whatsoever. They were incapable of good or evil (Isaiah 41:23+24). They were “worthless” and “nothing,” except for “wind and confusion” (Isaiah 41:29). Idols could not speak, see, hear, smell, or do anything else (Psalm 115:5-8).
The reason that idols and false gods were so worthless is clear. They were made up by men (Psalm 115:4+8). It was of no benefit for a man to serve a god that he had created himself. It could not hold him up when he was weak, but he had to hold it up (Jeremiah 10:4). It could not carry him when he was in trouble, but he had to carry it (Jeremiah 10:5). Idols and false gods, created by men, were utterly worthless.
It’s very easy for us today to look back at those idol worshippers from long ago and wonder what they were thinking. How could they have possibly thought that fake gods invented by men would be able to aid, protect, deliver, or reward them? Jeremiah 10:8 says that “a wooden idol is a worthless doctrine.” It was a worthless doctrine because it was dreamed up by men. How many doctrines and religions commonly practiced today are worthless for the very same reason?
The New Testament is abundant with warnings against religious beliefs created by men. Jesus criticized those who taught and practiced their own ideas, instead of what was from God (Matthew 15:3-9). Colossians 2:8 warns against letting “anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men.” Also, 1st Timothy 4:1-3 warns that there will be false doctrines of “forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from foods which God created…”
Are your religious beliefs from God or from men? Does your religion bear God’s name, or some man’s name? Do you go by what the word of God, the Bible says, or do you go by whatever your religious leader tells you? Simply trusting a belief system that comes from some man is no different than trusting in an idol or a false god because they are both man-made. Instead, study the word of God and follow that. Please remember that “it is a very small thing” to be judged by men (1 Corinthians 4:3). God judges us (1 Corinthians 4:4), and that is no small thing.