A. PROHIBITION OF IDOLATORY (EX 20:3-6, 22-23)
1. Extended to include astrology, witchcraft, the occult, fire-walking, divination, sorcery, interpretation of omens, casting spells, seeking spirit mediums, seances, or necromancy.
[ Deut 4:15-19; 18:9-13 ]
2. The principle is that all forms of idolatry are to be uncompromisingly rejected and renounced and a clear separation from all its associated objects implemented.
a. Annihilation of ethnic groups that promote Deut 7:1-4
Idolatry 20:16-18
b. Elimination of idols by demolition and Deut 7:5-6
Burning.
c. Precious metals and jewelry not to be coveted Deut 7:25-26
after or spared.
d. Intermarriage with followers of idolatry Deut 7:1-4; 1
forbidden Kgs 11:1-11
e. Burning of literature related to every form Acts 19:18-20
of magic, witchcraft, the occult and idolatry.
3. Scriptural Teachings of Idolatry
a. Product of man’s hands, thus they are Ps 115:4-11;
inanimate and powerless 35:15-18;
Isa 40:19-20;
41:7, 22-24;
42:17;
44:9-20;
46:4-7;
48:5
b. God’s anger is provoked in idolatry Deut 32:15-27
Ps 78:56-59
c. Food offered to idols is to be abstained from Acts 15:28-29
1 Cor 8
d. Warning of self-destruction when idolatry Deut 8:19-20
Idolatry is entertained.
e. Death by storing for proponents of idolatry Deut 13:16-18
1 Sam 15:22-23
f. Other forms of idolatry which include Gal 5:19-21
Gambling, drug abuse and disobedience. Col 3:5
1 Pet 4:3
Rev 9:20-21
B. PROMISED BLESSING ON THOSE WHO REFRAIN FROM
IDOLATRY AND DISOBEDIENCE
A. Love and mercy extend to descendants and future Ex 20:5-6
Generations.
B. Fruitfulness and abidance secured. Deut 7:11-14
C. Spared from sicknesses and diseases. Deut 7:15
C. PROMISES PROTECTION FOR THE BELIEVER
FROM THE HARM OF THE EVIL ONE (LUKE 10:18-20)
A. The Spirit of God is more powerful than the arch 1 Jn 4:4
Enemy, Satan.
B. Christ has overcome the enemy on the Cross. Heb 2:14-15
Gen 3:15
Col 2:13-15
Rev 12:10-12
Rom 16:20
D. Through salvation, the believer is set from Acts 26:17b-18
Satan’s power. Col 1:11-14
D. SOME PARTING THOUGHTS
A. Flee from idolatry.
B. Keep yourselves from idols.
E. PROCEDURES
1. Get the cell group to be involved in this event.
2. Arrange to have a time of worship, lifting high the Name of the Lord Jesus. Declare His victory and give praise to the Lrod’s finished work on the Cross and the power of His name.
3. Claim the protection of the Lord and the covering of His precious blood on the family members of everyone present. Go in the spirit of humility and in dependence on the power and protection of our Master.
4. Use the preliminary time before the actual removal and ridding of idols as a time of instruction, so that their faith is built up and the fear of spiritual reprisal is overcome.
5. Give the family members an opportunity both to give testimony of God’s grace in their lives and to participate in the actual ridding of the idols.
6. God through the entire house, having gone through the Scriptures, to remove every item within the household that has any association with idolatry even if it’s precious. These will include clothing, display objects, art pieces, books on palmistry, the Chinese almanac, literature pertaining to worship or cultic practices, talismans, charms, objects that either solicit fear or demand reverence of anything besides the true and living God.
7. Be careful to instruct with wisdom so that none of the objects get repossessed by other individuals or fall into the hands of other family members of relatives (with clear explanation that we who have been delivered from those powers of darkness do not wish to bring bondage to others, no matter now well our intentions may be).
8. Close your session with a time of thanksgiving and claim the protection and covering of the blood of Christ on the family members and on the premises of the household.
9. Do not forget to follow up on the family, as some things may happen to members of the household. Individuals will more likely blame this on the removal of the idols or protection derived previously from worshipping of those ousted idols.