IDOLATRY AND WITCHCRAFT

A short study on what the scriptures say about idolatry and witchcraft

Idol = an image, as a statue or other material object worshiped as a deity. Any person or thing devotedly or excessively admired. His political idol was Kennedy. A mere image or semblance of something. A figment of the mind, fantasy. A false conception or notion, fallacy.

Idolatry = worship of idols, excessive or blind adoration, reverence, devotion. Webster’s Dictionary.

Strong’s Concordance: “…and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man and of birds and of fourfooted beasts and of serpents. Therefore God also gave them over to the lusts of their own hearts for uncleanness, to contaminate their own bodies between themselves, who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for all ages. Amen.  …Romans 1.23-25

Image = Greek 1504 = eikon = image, likeness, portrait.  Man = Greek 444 = anthropos = human being, person, people

Uncleaness = Gr. 167 = impurity, a state of moral filthiness, especially in relation to sexual sin.

Dishonor Gr. 818 = to dishonor, disgrace, treat shamefully, insult.  Lie Gr. 5579 = pseudos = lie, falsehood, deception.

Unseemly = indecent – Recompense = an exchange, penalty – Error = deception, delusion – Reprobate = failing the test, rejected.

Wickedness = 4189 = in the NT always a negative moral quality opposed to God and His goodness. Inventors = 2182 = contriver

Or dost thou despise the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, ignoring that the goodness of God leads thee to repentance? Romans 2.4

“…to those who persevered in well doing, glory and honour and incorruption, to those who seek eternal life; but unto those that are contentious and do not obey the truth, but are persuaded by unrighteousness, indignation and wrath. Romans 2.7-8

Witchcraft = practice of a witch, practice of magic, sorcery, magical influence. Exorcise evil spirits by use of magic. Bewitch, charm.

Sorcery = the art or practice of spells of a person who is supposed to exercise supernatural powers through the aide of evil spirits, black magic, witchery.

For rebellion is the sin of witchcraft, and to break the word of the Lord is iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected thee from being king. 1 Samuel 15.23

Know ye not that the unjust shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor effeminate nor homosexuals 1 Corinthians 6.9

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil lust, and covetousness, which is idolatry; Co. 3.5

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; which I denounce, as I have also told you in time past that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5.19-21

And he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the valley of the sons of Hinnom; he also observed times, used enchantments, and was given over to witchcraft, consulting with spiritualists and with diviners; he multiplied in doing much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 2 Chronicles 33.6…also Nahum 3.4