Why People Want Another God

Idolatry was common in Bible times. This puzzles us. Why would anyone bow down to a piece of carved wood or rock and pray to it?

• Idolatry puts man over his god. Man decides who his god is. He creates a god in his image. He decides what his god likes and dislikes (Romans 1:21-25).

• Idolatry allows man to live by his desires. If man makes his own god, then man makes his own rules. He can live as he wants. After all, his god approves of it (Romans 1:26-32).

• Idolatry gives power to rulers. Kings in the Old Testament didn’t serve other gods because they sincerely believed in them. They worshipped them because they knew the people were superstitious and they wanted to keep them that way to control them (I Kings 12:28-30).

• Idolatry gives “hope.” People wanted their god to bless them with health, wealth, peace and long life. At the same time, they feared that god because they didn’t want to be cursed. Honoring their deity with worship and sacrifices was the way to stay in favor with their god (Exodus 32:4).

I know all of this is ridiculous. But is the world really any different now? Hundreds of millions of people still believe in other gods—Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists and others. Some of these are very intelligent and highly educated. How can this be?

But there are many idolaters who don't even know they are idolaters. The Bible says a covetous man is an idolater (Eph. 5:5). Idol worshipers trust their god to bring them happiness and success. They think it will make them happy and keep them safe from harm. Idol worshipers are slaves to their god, and greedy people are slaves of money. They are addicted to it. They can’t make a decision with consulting the mighty dollar first.

Worshipers of Molech in the Old Testament committed an unspeakable atrocity. They sacrificed their own children in fire in honor of this pagan deity. Incredibly, even some of God’s people succumbed to this horrific ritual. Yet parents today sacrifice their children on the altar of the almighty dollar. They neglect their children’s souls to give them a comfortable future on earth.

Idolatry is utter foolishness. But many who laugh at those who bow before an idol are doing the same thing in their heart.

Kerry

West End church of Christ • September 28, 2025