Christians in Pagan Temples

Pagan idolatry was quite the spectacle. Worshippers were boisterous, sensual (Exodus 32:6), and they even included physical cuttings and killings (1 Kings 18:28; 2 Chronicles 33:6). Temples were erected, homes began to include them, and some cities were wholly given to them (Acts 17:16). Idolatry is a grievous sin. Idolatry is a foolish sin (Romans 1:22). But unfortunately, idolatry is an “accepted” sin. Did you know that Christians sometimes worship at idolatrous temples?

Idolatry is defined as worshipping an object as a god, but Merriam Webster also added, “immoderate attachment or devotion to something.” Because we live in this world, it is easy to get attached to it. It is common to forget the One God we cannot see for the financial god we can touch, the emotional god we can feel, or the lustful god we can see. Little do we realize that when this happens, God sees idolatrous worshippers entering pagan temples! Early Christians refused to worship Roman gods and even gave their life for their disbelief. Some found it wrong to even eat meat offered to idols. We shutter at the thought of falling down before an idol and worshipping it, yet we become guilty of entering a pagan temple, when we put anything above God.[1]

Curiously, the apostle John ends his first general epistle with these words: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen” (1 John 5:21). It seems to be spontaneous, but it serves as a perfect bookend for these brethren. While John may have had physical idols of wood, stone, or gold in mind, the application is stretched to include all forms of idolaters. So, when do Christians enter idolatrous temples? What gods do Christians sometimes worship?

Themselves (1 John 1:8). J. McMath said, “Today's idols are more in the self than on the shelf.”[2] John warned these brethren not to get caught in the trap of perfectionistic prowess. Culturally, the Gnostic “nobles” were spreading the idea that they were above sin. They played God, thinking they were perfectly holy. Some Christians fall before their own alter, as their own god, to offer up sacrifices to themselves. They do this when they refuse to acknowledge their frailties. They do so when they become arrogant in their disposition and lofty in their thinking (Romans 12:3). God’s temple has no room for this idol; put it away. How?

• Walk in the light (1 John 1:7).

• Confess your wrong (1 John 1:9).

To be wrong is to be human, don’t make yourself a god, you’ll never be good enough anyway.

The World (1 John 2:15-16). It is common to be attracted to things that appeal to eye, body, and mind, but they were never made to be worshipped. John urged these saints to not fall in love with the world. This idol has three arms:

• Lust of the flesh—physical appetites (gluttony, drugs, illicit sex).

• Lust of the eyes—monetary appetites (covetousness [Colossians 3:5]).

• Pride of life—arrogant appetites (bragging, narcissism, self-glory).

It is not being around this temple that will get us (we cannot go out of the world), but we can stop from entering in it. One wrote “A true Christian living in the world is like a ship sailing on the ocean. It is not the ship being in the water which will sink it, but the water getting into the ship.”[3] While we cannot be taken out of the world, we can surely be kept from the evil one (John 17:15; 1 John 5:18). Doing the will of the true God is the antithesis (1 John 2:17). This god of the world is not worthy of our worship.

Hate (1 John 3:10-15). If abstract idols had a chief god, this might be one of them. If we could give a title to the whole book of First John it might be “Love One Another.” The idol of hate is worshipped by so many. Infightings, grudges, gossip, criticism, and discouragement are the legs. In fact, John says that people make Satan their god by refusing to love each other. It can become so easy to worship the god of hate that it becomes a normality. Some Christians worship this idol every day! Thinking about Jesus and His offering will help us destroy this idol once and for all (1 John 3:16-18).  

Fear (1 John 4:18). “Is fear an idol?” One teenager asked. “Well, let’s see what defines idol worship,” said the minister. “Sacrifice of time, always thinking about it, and letting it have control of your life. So yes, I would say its an idol.” The teenager responded and said, “well I’ve got a lot of idols to get rid of then.” Fear can become a Christian’s worship, and it will become a Christian’s cancer. John said fear has “torment.” Many Christians don’t recognize that their fear shows:

• They don’t love others.

• They don’t love the church.

• They don’t love God.

Perfect love dispels this idol. Christians travel to this alter often when they doubt God or when they become so distraught over worldly cares (Matthew 6:25-34). Fear does nothing for nobody. Stay a little while longer in God’s court and trust His goodness, your fear will subside soon.  

Have you been worshipping at the idolatrous temple? If so, get out of there (1 Corinthians 10:14)!!! We don’t want God to find us bowing before an idol; this is one of God’s most hated sins. The next time you are tempted to attend one of these services, quote 1 John 5:21 to yourself.

Endnotes

[1]Kris Emerson

[2]www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/i/idolatry.htm

[3]Biblical Illustrator