--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Idolatry is worshiping something other…" description: "\"Idolatry is worshiping something other than the true God in the true way.\" — John Macarthur" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/868/john-macarthur-1117_true-god_idolatry-is-worshiping-something-other-t_1705583.jpg" --- # Idolatry is worshiping something other than the true God… ![“Idolatry is worshiping something other than the true God in the true way.” quote by John Macarthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/868/john-macarthur-1117_true-god_idolatry-is-worshiping-something-other-t_1705583.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/868/john-macarthur-1117_true-god_idolatry-is-worshiping-something-other-t_1705583.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/868/john-macarthur-1117_true-god_idolatry-is-worshiping-something-other-t_1705583.jpg) > “Idolatry is worshiping something other than the true God in the true way.” [John Macarthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True worship honors God alone; idolatry misplaces reverence on false objects. **In simple terms:** Idolatry misdirects worship. Key Takeaway Focus worship on the true God. Themes faith idolatry truth Mood serious instructive Type theological educational When to use this quote - personal devotion - church teaching - public preaching Key Concepts theology religious practice Questions to Reflect On - What does true worship look like for you? - How can you avoid idolatrous habits? A Different Perspective Cultural traditions may blur definitions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Idol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idol/) [Idolatry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolatry/) [Idolatry Worshiping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolatry-worshiping-1194088/) [True god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-god/) [Worshiping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worshiping/) [Worshiping True](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worshiping-true-1194089/) ## Related quotes > [Saint Augustine defined idolatry as worshiping what should be used or using what should be worshiped](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-s-smith/saint-augustine-defined-idolatry-as-worshiping-what-should-be-used-or/) [Colin S. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-s-smith/) > [“Idolatry' is the practice of seeking the source and provision of what we need either physically or emotionally in someone or something other than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-j-hafemann/idolatry-is-the-practice-of-seeking-the-source-and-provision-of-what/) [Scott J. Hafemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-j-hafemann/) > [Idolatry is not simply worshiping a stone image; idolatry is any concept of God that reduces Him to less than who He really is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-carlson/idolatry-is-not-simply-worshiping-a-stone-image-idolatry-is-any/) [Ron Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-carlson/) > [“If you make anything a higher priority than God, you are worshiping it and not God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-george/if-you-make-anything-a-higher-priority-than-god-you-are-worshiping-it/) [Jim George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-george/) > [The source of most of the problems people have in their Christian lives relates to two things: either they are not worshiping six days…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-source-of-most-of-the-problems-people-have-in-their-christian/) [John Macarthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [Paul taught that religions evolved because man did not honor the true God. Because of rebellion, they "exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/paul-taught-that-religions-evolved-because-man-did-not-honor-the-true/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [Idols aren't stone statues. They are thoughts, desires, and longings that we worship in the place of the true God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elyse-fitzpatrick/idols-aren-t-stone-statues-they-are-thoughts-desires-and-longings/) [Elyse Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elyse-fitzpatrick/) > [“Idols aren't just stone statues. No, idols are the thoughts, desires, longings, and expectations that we worship in the place of the true God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elyse-m-fitzpatrick/idols-aren-t-just-stone-statues-no-idols-are-the-thoughts-desires/) [Elyse M. Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elyse-m-fitzpatrick/) > [Whatever a man seeks, honors, or exalts more than God is the god of his idolatry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernard-ullathorne/whatever-a-man-seeks-honors-or-exalts-more-than-god-is-the-god-of-his/) [William Bernard Ullathorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernard-ullathorne/) > [“The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him. It begins in the mind and may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/the-essence-of-idolatry-is-the-entertainment-of-thoughts-about-god/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“Idolatry isn’t just one of many sins; rather it’s the one great sin that all others come from. So if you start scratching at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-idleman/idolatry-isn-t-just-one-of-many-sins-rather-it-s-the-one-great-sin/) [Kyle Idleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-idleman/) > [“The reality is, when someone knows the truth, knows the will of God, knows what God has spoken , and yet pushes back and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-reality-is-when-someone-knows-the-truth-knows-the-will-of-god/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [Idolatry is permissible in Hinduism when it sub serves an ideal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/idolatry-is-permissible-in-hinduism-when-it-sub-serves-an-ideal/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“Idolatry is not the use of images, but confusing them with what they represent, and in this respect mental images and lofty abstractions can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-wilson-watts/idolatry-is-not-the-use-of-images-but-confusing-them-with-what-they/) [Alan Wilson Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-wilson-watts/) > [“‎A careful reading of the Old and New Testaments shows that idolatry is nothing like the crude picture that springs to mind of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-keyes/a-careful-reading-of-the-old-and-new-testaments-shows-that-idolatry/) [Richard Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-keyes/) ## More by John Macarthur > [The definition of a Church is crystal clear in the New Testament. We see the picture of it. They came together the first day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-definition-of-a-church-is-crystal-clear-in-the-new-testament-we/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [The more you focus on yourself, the more distracted you will be from the proper path. The more you know Him and commune with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-more-you-focus-on-yourself-the-more-distracted-you-will-be-from/) [John Macarthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [There are things that God hates, right? One of them is the one who stirs up strife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/there-are-things-that-god-hates-right-one-of-them-is-the-one-who/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [Over the years, I've fought a number of polemical battles against ideas that threaten the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/over-the-years-i-ve-fought-a-number-of-polemical-battles-against/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [“You and I believed the gospel, not because we were wiser or more righteous than anyone else but because God graciously intervened, opening our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/you-and-i-believed-the-gospel-not-because-we-were-wiser-or-more/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [“He call us to obey, not because He needs us but because He knows we need Him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/he-call-us-to-obey-not-because-he-needs-us-but-because-he-knows-we/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [“The Spirit works in the church so that men might see Jesus as Lord, recognizing His authority and submitting to His will (1 Cor.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-spirit-works-in-the-church-so-that-men-might-see-jesus-as-lord/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [Grace does not grant permission to live in the flesh; it supplies power to live in the Spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/grace-does-not-grant-permission-to-live-in-the-flesh-it-supplies/) [John Macarthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [Sexual expression within a marriage is not an option or an extra. It is certainly not, as it has sometimes been considered, a necessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/sexual-expression-within-a-marriage-is-not-an-option-or-an-extra-it/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [“18O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/18o-my-god-incline-your-ear-and-hear-open-your-eyes-and-see-our/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [“Sin is the monarch that rules the heart of every man. It is the first lord of the soul, and its virus has contaminated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/sin-is-the-monarch-that-rules-the-heart-of-every-man-it-is-the-first/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [“Psalm 13 O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/psalm-13-o-lord-how-long-will-you-forget-me-forever-how-long-will-you/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [Scripture repeatedly makes clear that heaven is a realm of unsurpassed joy, unfading glory, undiminished bliss, unlimited delights, and unending pleasures. Nothing about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/scripture-repeatedly-makes-clear-that-heaven-is-a-realm-of/) [John Macarthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [God's true church has always been a place where people hunger for the truth from the Bible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/god-s-true-church-has-always-been-a-place-where-people-hunger-for-the/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) > [The lies of systemic racism and the race hustlers dominate the ideologies of universities and even churches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-lies-of-systemic-racism-and-the-race-hustlers-dominate-the/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) [Explore all 279 John Macarthur quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) ## More Idol quotes > [Everybody out there watches the show and has expectations of wanting to be an 'Idol', but we're going to teach them how much hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-bice/everybody-out-there-watches-the-show-and-has-expectations-of-wanting/) [Bo Bice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-bice/) > [My dad has always been my idol.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hulk/my-dad-has-always-been-my-idol/) [Hulk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hulk/) > [I don't know how 'X Factor' works. I was only there as a guest judge for a day. But I watched 'The Voice' a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-don-t-know-how-x-factor-works-i-was-only-there-as-a-guest-judge-for/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [“‎A careful reading of the Old and New Testaments shows that idolatry is nothing like the crude picture that springs to mind of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-keyes/a-careful-reading-of-the-old-and-new-testaments-shows-that-idolatry/) [Richard Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-keyes/) > [Strictly' is the most successful reality format in the world - it's in the 'Guinness Book of Records' - going to 38 countries. 'X…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/strictly-is-the-most-successful-reality-format-in-the-world-it-s-in/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [Being on 'American Idol,' the blessings of glasses have rained from the sky. I really would like to start a Danny line or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-gokey/being-on-american-idol-the-blessings-of-glasses-have-rained-from-the/) [Danny Gokey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-gokey/) > [I didn't know what I was in for when I joined 'The X Factor' - I underestimated it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-cole/i-didn-t-know-what-i-was-in-for-when-i-joined-the-x-factor-i/) [Cheryl Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-cole/) > ['The X Factor' seems to be more about building up personalities and people in tears. And it's not a new idea. The pre-Beatles pop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jools-holland/the-x-factor-seems-to-be-more-about-building-up-personalities-and/) [Jools Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jools-holland/) > [My father is my idol, and I have grown up watching his films. He is my biggest influence and inspiration. 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Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-d-moore/) > [There is not a more unhappy being than a superannuated idol.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/there-is-not-a-more-unhappy-being-than-a-superannuated-idol/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [I recently met Michael Phelps. He is my absolute idol. I was totally starstruck. I did manage to get a few words out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-simmonds/i-recently-met-michael-phelps-he-is-my-absolute-idol-i-was-totally/) [Ellie Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-simmonds/) > [People in the U.K. are passionate about the 'X Factor' - it's their show, so you have to care. It's brought out a more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulisa/people-in-the-u-k-are-passionate-about-the-x-factor-it-s-their-show/) [Tulisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulisa/) > [We think that idols are bad things, but that is almost never the case. 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