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What does the Bible say about worship of false gods?

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The Bible teaches that worship belongs to the one true God alone, and that turning to false gods is a grave sin that dishonors him and enslaves the human heart. In Exodus 20:2-6, the Lord forbids all other gods and images because he is jealous for the faithful love of his people. Exodus 34:14 and Deuteronomy 12:30-31 warn believers not to adopt the worship practices of surrounding nations. Paul says idolatrous sacrifices involve fellowship with demons and calls Christians to flee idolatry in 1 Corinthians 10:14, 20. True worship is offered in spirit and truth through Christ, as John 4:24 teaches, with hearts devoted to God rather than earthly treasures (Matthew 6:21).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Exodus 20:2-6

    [2] "I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. [3] You shall have no other gods before me. [4] "You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: [5] you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, [6] and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

  • Exodus 20:3

    You shall have no other gods before me.

  • Exodus 34:14

    for you shall worship no other god: for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:20

    But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don't desire that you would have communion with demons.

  • Exodus 20:4-6

    [4] "You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: [5] you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, [6] and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

  • Romans 8:7

    because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.

  • John 4:24

    God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

  • Deuteronomy 12:30-31

    [30] take heed to yourself that you not be ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before you; and that you not inquire after their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. [31] You shall not do so to Yahweh your God: for every abomination to Yahweh, which he hates, have they done to their gods; for even their sons and their daughters do they burn in the fire to their gods.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:14

    Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

  • Matthew 6:21

    for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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