LESSON 28 CAUTION AGAINST IDOLATRY AND FALSE PROPHETS
Text: Deuteronomy 12:1-32; 13:1-18
Caution means warning against evil or danger of any kind. It also means care taken to avoid danger or mistakes. Electricity transformers, houses with dogs often display signs like “Beware” or “Caution” due to the danger involved. Idolatry is deadly just like the electricity from transformers and the dog’s poison. Whatever takes the place of God in one’s life can be referred to as idolatry. It could be your interest, beauty, riches, friends, games or toys, while false prophets are those who teach errors and lead children away from the truth of the word of God. Idolatry and false prophets are two evils that God cautions His people against.
God is all-wise and has all knowledge. He knew that the children of Israel would fall into the temptation of serving other gods with their hearts turned away from Him. So, He warned them to beware: “Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 13:3) The punishment for disobeying God’s warning is very serious and children should avoid disobeying God.
- CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS AGAINST IDOL WORSHIP:
Deuteronomy 12:1-32; 1 Samuel 15:23; 1 Corinthians Galatians 5:19-21, 10:14;
In our text, God gave Moses His servant instructions to pass on to the children of Israel concerning s acceptable and unacceptable forms of n worship He told them to destroy all the places where the heathen nations worshipped their idols because it is an evil practice to worship idols. God wants every child to serve Him only. The heathen nations dedicated their children to idols and their entire lives were characterised by the sin of idolatry (Deuteronomy 12:31). God is holy and hates sin. It is an abomination in His sight. God chose a place where the children of Israel were to offer their offerings and tithes to honour Him.
This shows how much God loves His children. He does not want them to be like the idol-worshipping nations whom He destroyed because of their stubbornness and wickedness. As He warned the children of Israel at that time, He is also warning every child today to turn away from idolatry or eating of food sacrificed to idols. Children are also warned not to create idol of anything in their hearts. They are to love the Lord with all their hearts, might and strength. Godly children must not get involved in festivals, parties, dancing to worldly music, watching masquerades or ungodly celebrations of any kind, putting tattoos or evil marks on their bodies, use of bangles, rings, worship images, displaying all other cultural practices that do not glorify God.
There are many reasons God warns His people against idol-worship:
(i) God is the almighty and cannot share His glory with any creature or man- made idols.
(ii) Man was created in the image and likeness of God. The practice of idolatry is therefore degrading and disgraceful to man.
(iii) It corrupts a man because his body is the temple of God.
(iv) It is an open rejection of the Lordship of God over us, who owns us by creation and redemption.
(v) It is a mark of ingratitude to God who loves us so much and offered Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son for our salvation (John 3:16).
What does God require of you? It is clearly explained in His word thus “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it (Deuteronomy 12:32).
- CONSEQUENCE AND CAUTION AGAINST IDOL WORSHIP AND FALSE PROPHETS:
Deuteronomy 13:1-16; Matthew 24:11; 2 Peter 2:1-6
Idol-worshippers and false prophets are all deceivers who influence others to rebel against God and His word. The world in which we live now is referred to as the last days. There are many false prophets and worship centres that are controlled by Satan and demonic powers. Through those powers, they manipulate the truth of God’s word, deceive people through lying wonders and miracles. Jesus specifically warns us that false Christs and prophets will arise in the last days. He therefore encourages us to be watchful, prayerful so as not to be deceived.
God warns His people against idolatry and false prophets. He has prescribed judgment and right punishment for those who will not take heed to these warning. For the children of Israel, God commanded that whoever worshipped idols or spread false dreams and visions should be put to death. The consequence of disobeying God’s word is too grievous for anyone to bear.
There is danger in worshipping idols and false prophets. It :
(i) leads to separation from God
(ii) exposes individuals to satanic attacks and bondage
(iii) results into failure and disappointments and
(iv) finally leads to hell-fire.
God’s standard has not changed even in this period of grace. God still reserves judgment and punishment for idol-worshippers, false prophets and unrepentant sinners. However, you must remember that God is not willing that anyone should perish. He wants you to repent and be saved.
You must be careful of the type of fellowship you attend even in your school. Also, be careful of the type of religious books you read and games that can lure you to immoral behaviour. Do not listen to false prophecies and vision. Run away from every appearance of evil.
- COMMAND TO RUN AWAY FROM IDOLS AND FALSE PROPHETS: Deuteronomy 13:1-13; 1
Corinthians 10:14; 1 John 5:21 God hates idol worship and all sinful practices. This is why the first on the list of the Ten Commandments reads thus; “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me” (Exodus 20:3-5).
It is obedience to this command that will attract God’s favour, mercy and grace on His chosen people.
Today, our society has created many idols that people worship. They are in form of money, fashion, position, immoral friendship and other worldly pursuits. Many people go after these things at the expense of their souls. Anything that you love so much that it can take your attention away from God is an idol. There are many false prophets/teachers who go about influencing sinners to continue in their love for the world. They have no regard for godly standards. Great punishment awaits such false teachers and their followers. God is not interested in punishing sinners; He rather desire that they repent and turn away from all sinful practices. The call has come to you specifically to come out from among them and be separate. If you are still a sinner, repent, confess your sins to God, ask for forgiveness and cleansing of your heart with the blood of Jesus. Accept Jesus as your personal Saviour and Lord. As a friend of Jesus, you must:
(i) Fear the Lord, obey His commandments, serve Him with all your heart, abide in Christ and have no fellowship with idol-worshippers.
(ii) Reject any invitation to contribute money for the worship of idols
(iii) Avoid friendship with the world
(iv) Do not accept or eat food sacrificed to idols in the name of celebration or religious festivals.
(v) Love the Lord with all your heart, keep away from all forms of sin. Read, obey and live by God’s word (Deuteronomy 6:4-6).
QUESTIONS:
- Mention the dangers of idolatry and following false prophets
- What did God warn the children of Israel against?
- Mention those things that can be idols in children’s lives today
- How can a sinful child come out from idolatry?
MEMORY VERSE: “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32).
LESSON: God alone is worthy of our love and service.
THOUGHT: I will love and follow Jesus only.
ACTIVITY: Children should sing the song: “All other gods, they are the works of men.“
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 15- O WORSHIP THE KING
CHORUSES
(1) All other gods, they are the works of men
(2) I will never worship man-made god
(3) Only you will I serve
HOMEWORK: Check your life things you possess. Do away with anything that takes the place of Gods word in your life.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meanings of these words. You can use your dictionary.
- Caution 2. Idolatry 3. False 4. Dedicate 5. Consequence
