Gods
The first of Ten Commandments says, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). All the nations surrounding Israel worshiped false gods, whether by means of a handmade image or through other means. For example, the Egyptians worshiped the sun and the Nile River as sources of life. They also worshiped sacred animals such as bulls, cows, cats, baboons and crocodiles. Among the Canannites, the chief gods were personifications of life and fertility. Worship of these gods included snake worship, prostitution and child sacrifices. When the Israelites conquered the land, the Lord commanded them to destroy all the places of worship and the images and idols of false religion.

Because the worship of false gods continued to flourish into the New Testament times, Christians were warned by Paul and other early church leaders to be on their guard against idolatry. The concept of idolatry was widened at the time to include anything that leads to the dethronement of God from one's heart-for example, greed (see Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5).

Jesus also warned that to make possessions central in life idolatrous (see Matthew 6:24). Although the worship of idols is still practiced in some religions today, money, career, position, fame and self-esteem are the common "gods" of our Western society.

God commands us not to worship other gods.
Exodus 20:3,23; 22:20; 23:13,23-24
Deuteronomy 5:7;6:13-15
Joshua 23:7
1 Kings 11:1-11
2 Kings 17:35
Psalm 81:9
Daniel 3:28
1 Corinthians 10:7,14
Galatians 5:19-21
There is no god besides God.
Deuteronomy 32:39
2 Kings 5:15-17
Psalm 136:2
Isaiah 43:10; 45:14
1 Corinthians 8:4-6
The one true God is above all gods in power and majesty.
Exodus 15:11; 18:11
Deuteronomy 3:24; 4:34; 10:17
1 Chronicles 16:26
2 Chronicles 2:5
Psalm 86:8; 95:3
Gods (idols) are powerless to hear or help.
Judges 6:31
1 Kings 18:25-29
Isaiah 44:9-10,16-18; 46:6-9
Jeremiah 16:19-20
Acts 19:24-26
We can become our own god (idol).
Habakkuk 1:11
Philippians 3:19
Satan is the god of this age.
2 Corinthians 4:4