Idolater
An idolater is a person who worships idols or gives to anything the devotion that belongs to God alone. In Scripture, idolatry is a serious sin because it replaces the true God with false gods or created things.
At a Glance
An idolater is a person who worships idols or gives to anything the devotion that belongs to God alone. In Scripture, idolatry is a serious sin because it replaces the true God with false gods or created things.
Description
An idolater is a person who gives worship, trust, or ultimate allegiance to someone or something other than the one true God. In the Bible this term commonly refers to those who bow to false gods or images, but Scripture also shows that idolatry is not only outward and ritual; it can also be inward, when the heart treats some created thing as ultimate. Because God alone is Creator and Lord, idolatry is a direct violation of His covenant and glory. The New Testament continues this emphasis and warns believers to flee idolatry, including forms of misplaced desire and greed that compete with devotion to God. The safest summary is that an idolater is one who replaces God, whether through formal worship of idols or through heart-level allegiance that belongs to Him alone.