Twice in the book of Psalms, there is an expose on the folly of idolatry (Psalm 115:4-8, 135:15-18). In each, there are three striking facts which demonstrate the utter folly of such a belief system. These are:
- The inanimate nature of an idol. “The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands” (Psalm 135:15). Every idol is made by humans (living, animate beings) out of non-living, inanimate materials. As the apostle Paul so eloquently pointed out in Athens: If humans are the offspring of deity, it is utter foolishness to think that “the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising” (Acts 17:29). The scientific law of biogenesis declares that life comes from life. Humans who are living beings are not inferior to their non-living inventions. How foolish to think otherwise!
- The inability of an idol. “They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; noses they have, but they do not smell; they have hands, but they do not handle; feet they have, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throat” (Psalm 115:5-7). An idol is mute, blind, and deaf. It also cannot smell, touch, or walk. If you met a human with such inabilities, would you consider them more capable and superior to you? If you would not think such about a fellow human being with such profound limitations, how much more foolish it is to consider something created by human hands with the same limitations to be superior to you!
- The degrading influence of an idol. “Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them” (Psalm 135:18). The scientific law of sowing and reaping has been around since the beginning of history (cf. Genesis 1:11-12). It also exists in the spiritual world as well (cf. Galatians 6:7-9). You become spiritually like what you worship. If you worship a mute, blind, deaf idol, you will spiritually become like it. If you worship the holy, living, true God of love you will become like Him. Worshiping an idol degrades. Worshiping Jehovah in spirit and in truth uplifts. How foolish to be devoted to something that diminishes you intellectually, morally, and spiritually!
