“Little children, keep yourselves from idols” is how the apostle John concludes his first epistle (1 John 5:21). Idolatry occurs when God is made into man’s image. Fundamentally, idolatry is a mental creation; it may or may not involve metal or wood. This is why one’s adequate and accurate conception of God is of such supreme importance!
A grave mistake made by the wicked (Psalm 50:16ff.) is “you thought that I was altogether like you” (Psalm 50:21). Because humanity is made in God’s image, we share many common characteristics. This is what makes the human race superior to all other creatures. However, similarity of traits does not mean equality; we are not identical twins, for God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
The fatal error of thinking falsely—idolatrously—about Jehovah is it makes God in man’s image.
