Faith Vs. Idolatry
Introduction. What is faith? It is the acceptance, belief or confidence in something we cannot see based on evidence. As the Hebrew writer put it, “Faith is the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1)
God exists. Even though we cannot see Him, we can believe in Him because the evidence of His existence is all around us in the created universe. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes have been clearly seen by the things that are made...” (Rom. 1:21).
We also know that God has spoken to us and that the Bible is His inspired word. The evidence of this includes, but is not limited to 1) the consistency and harmony of the Bible, 2) fulfilled prophecies, 3) miracles as a sign of the divine authenticity of the revealed word, and 4) eye-witness accounts recorded in the Scriptures.
Once we establish that the Bible is the revealed word of God, our faith then conforms to the things He says are true since “Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Thus, Paul wrote, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). As long as our concept of God remains rooted and grounded in His revealed word, then our faith is what it ought to be and is pleasing to God.
If Not By Faith, Then What? Consider, if faith comes by hearing God’s word, what if we choose to believe something about God that has no legitimate evidence to support it? What if we want to believe something about God’s character or nature that is not revealed in His word? Is it still faith? It is in the sense that we believe it, but it is not the faith that pleases God (Heb. 11:6). In fact, God describes this unfounded faith in a very different light.
From long ago, men have invented ideas about God that were not true, even to the point of changing the nature of God in their thinking. Paul describes this in Romans 1:21-23: “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible men—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.”
What does God call it when men represent Him in some form or nature other than what is true? Idolatry! Faith ends and idolatry begins when we imagine God in a different light than what is revealed; when we begin to believe that He is something that He is not. God reveals Himself to us through His word. If, instead of walking by faith in His word, we choose to believe a lie, our own imagination then becomes our idol.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I cannot believe in a God who would ______” and then describes something that God does in the Bible? Or, “The god that I worship would ______”? If we presume to define who and what God is, contrary to His word, we are in effect creating our own god.
Isaiah illustrates the futility of idolatry in Isaiah 44:1-20. He concludes his remarks by saying, “A deceived heart has turned him aside” (Isaiah 44:20). When we change the nature of God in our hearts, choosing to believe He is something or someone that He is not, this verse describes us.
Conclusion. What do you believe about the living God? More importantly, how did you arrive at that understanding? Would you have a faith that is pleasing to God and know Him as He is? Then let your faith be in His revealed word and nothing more. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith” (2 Cor. 13:5).
God exists. Even though we cannot see Him, we can believe in Him because the evidence of His existence is all around us in the created universe. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes have been clearly seen by the things that are made...” (Rom. 1:21).
We also know that God has spoken to us and that the Bible is His inspired word. The evidence of this includes, but is not limited to 1) the consistency and harmony of the Bible, 2) fulfilled prophecies, 3) miracles as a sign of the divine authenticity of the revealed word, and 4) eye-witness accounts recorded in the Scriptures.
Once we establish that the Bible is the revealed word of God, our faith then conforms to the things He says are true since “Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Thus, Paul wrote, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). As long as our concept of God remains rooted and grounded in His revealed word, then our faith is what it ought to be and is pleasing to God.
If Not By Faith, Then What? Consider, if faith comes by hearing God’s word, what if we choose to believe something about God that has no legitimate evidence to support it? What if we want to believe something about God’s character or nature that is not revealed in His word? Is it still faith? It is in the sense that we believe it, but it is not the faith that pleases God (Heb. 11:6). In fact, God describes this unfounded faith in a very different light.
From long ago, men have invented ideas about God that were not true, even to the point of changing the nature of God in their thinking. Paul describes this in Romans 1:21-23: “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible men—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.”
What does God call it when men represent Him in some form or nature other than what is true? Idolatry! Faith ends and idolatry begins when we imagine God in a different light than what is revealed; when we begin to believe that He is something that He is not. God reveals Himself to us through His word. If, instead of walking by faith in His word, we choose to believe a lie, our own imagination then becomes our idol.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I cannot believe in a God who would ______” and then describes something that God does in the Bible? Or, “The god that I worship would ______”? If we presume to define who and what God is, contrary to His word, we are in effect creating our own god.
Isaiah illustrates the futility of idolatry in Isaiah 44:1-20. He concludes his remarks by saying, “A deceived heart has turned him aside” (Isaiah 44:20). When we change the nature of God in our hearts, choosing to believe He is something or someone that He is not, this verse describes us.
Conclusion. What do you believe about the living God? More importantly, how did you arrive at that understanding? Would you have a faith that is pleasing to God and know Him as He is? Then let your faith be in His revealed word and nothing more. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith” (2 Cor. 13:5).