1. Introduction
While the Old Testament often portrays idolatry in overt, physical forms—statues, shrines, and rituals—the New Testament unveils a more subtle and internalised form of idolatry. Though Greco-Roman idols remained visible in Jesus’ and Paul’s day, the Holy Spirit, through the apostles, expands the definition to include greed, status, lust, false religion, and even self-worship. This entry explores how the New Testament deepens our understanding of idolatry, making it a matter not only of what we bow to but also what we live for.
2. Idolatry Beyond Statues: The Heart Issue
Jesus rarely confronted carved idols directly, not because idolatry had disappeared, but because it had become more internalised. He spoke to a Jewish context where overt idol worship was largely avoided. However, He uncovered deeper idols of the heart:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
— Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
The focus of your affection, desire, and loyalty reveals your true object of worship. The new idols were not graven images, but hidden masters that shaped people’s priorities and behaviours.
3. Greed and Covetousness as Idolatry
Perhaps the clearest redefinition of idolatry in the New Testament is Paul’s stark diagnosis:
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature… greed, which is idolatry.”
— Colossians 3:5 (NIV)
“For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
— Ephesians 5:5 (NIV)
In these texts, greed (Greek: pleonexia) is seen as idolatrous, not because it bows before an idol, but because it enthrones self and desire above God. Covetousness trusts in wealth to provide what only God can give—security, satisfaction, and identity.
4. Power and Popularity as Modern Idols
In the Gospels, Jesus challenged those who sought influence, recognition, or honour over truth and submission to God:
“How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”
— John 5:44 (NIV)
This is idolatry of human approval—when reputation becomes more desirable than God’s favour. It reflects a form of image worship, where self-image or social validation becomes a false god.
The apostle John summarised the categories of worldly idolatry in his epistle:
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
— 1 John 2:16 (NIV)
5. Religious Idolatry: Law, Ritual, and False Worship
Paul’s warnings extend even to religion itself. Idolatry is not limited to pagan temples—it can appear in misplaced religious confidence:
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator.”
— Romans 1:25 (NIV)
Paul rebukes both Gentiles and Jews for their idolatry:
- Gentiles, for worshipping nature and false deities (Romans 1:23–25),
- Jews, for trusting in the Law, circumcision, or heritage rather than Christ (Romans 2:17–29; Philippians 3:3–7).
False religion becomes idolatrous when it replaces living faith in Christ with empty form, cultural pride, or human effort.
6. The Idol of Self: Last Days Warnings
Paul foresaw a time when even self-worship would dominate society:
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power.”
— 2 Timothy 3:2–5 (NIV)
This represents a complete inversion of worship: from God-centred to self-centred. Even among the religious, idolatry emerges when outward form is retained while inner surrender is abandoned.
7. The Church and Hidden Idolatry
The New Testament also shows how idolatry can creep into the church:
- Ananias and Sapphira pretended generosity while clinging to money (Acts 5),
- Simon the sorcerer sought to buy the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:18–21),
- The Nicolaitans in Revelation mixed Christian language with moral compromise (Revelation 2:14–15).
Jesus’ rebuke of the church in Laodicea captures this spiritual danger:
“You say, ‘I am rich…’ but you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
— Revelation 3:17 (NIV)
This is the idol of self-sufficiency—trusting in wealth, comfort, or status rather than Christ.
8. Conclusion
The New Testament makes clear that idolatry is no longer about external shrines—it is about internal thrones. Whether greed, self-love, religious pride, or human praise, idolatry is anything that competes with Jesus for the heart’s deepest trust and desire. True discipleship demands radical exposure and rejection of these idols, lest they quietly rule where only Christ should reign.
9. Reflection and Prayer
Reflection Question:
What invisible altars exist in your life—areas where trust, desire, or identity are placed in something other than God?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, search my heart and reveal every false god within me. Whether it be greed, pride, or self-sufficiency, I lay it down. Cleanse me from hidden idols and fill me with a desire for You alone. Amen.