Idolatry today? - What false gods are competing for our worship?

[St. SteVen]

Was idolatry only a problem in ancient times?

What would the first Commandment of the Ten be addressing if it was given today?

“You shall have no other gods before[a] me.
You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in
heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
You shall not bow down to them or worship them..." - Exodus 20:3-5 NIV

I was thinking about how many of the desirable products we are tempted to own
have names of "anything in the heavens above or the earth below".

Even just car names. Corvette Stingray, Ford Bronco, Chevy Impala, Jaguar,
Ford Mustang, Volkswagen Rabbit, Dodge Ram trucks,

Then there are TV shows like American Idol. Pretty blatant, I guess. - LOL

What other things have become idols in our world today?

Are there gods in the spiritual realm driving these desires?

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[Windmill Charge]

An idol is anything that is more important to one than worship/serving God.

 

[Verily]

Covetousness is idolatry

Col 3:5-7 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

 

[St. SteVen]

Covetousness is idolatry

Col 3:5-7 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Yes.
Some translations say "greed".
There is a lot of WANT in this world for ourselves.
Using the measure of what others have to elevate ourselves.

Colossians 3:5-7 NIV
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:
sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[a]
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

[

 

[Verily]

Yes.
Some translations say "greed".
There is a lot of WANT in this world for ourselves.
Using the measure of what others have to elevate ourselves.

Colossians 3:5-7 NIV
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:
sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[a]
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

[

That's the defintion of ​

Covetousness​

noun​

1. extreme greed for material wealth
2. an envious eagerness to possess something
3. reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth

Even Jesus said,

Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Luke 16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

That one hit a nerve with them

 

[St. SteVen]

That's the defintion of ​

Covetousness​

noun​

1. extreme greed for material wealth
2. an envious eagerness to possess something
3. reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth

Interesting.
I thought covetousness carried the desire for what belongs to someone else. Thanks.

[

 

[Verily]

Interesting.
I thought covetousness carried the desire for what belongs to someone else. Thanks.

[

It does, look here

1. one eager to have more, esp. what belongs to others
2. greedy of gain, covetous

Since my KJV says "covetousness" but yours "greed" I just looked up the word greed you posted outside of strongs for your thread, which is synonomous with it somewhat. I think Strongs better follows the line of things as mapped out in the commandment when it come, "thy neighbors wife, his servant, his house etc". I just posted that definition for greed because I thought you might prefer it.