Idolatry is understood as religious worship for an idol. He takes the place of God and is worshiped as if he were. In this way, idolatry is limited to the sphere of religious worship. But in itself the concept of idolatry is broader, since it can invade any area of human life, provided that God is replaced by something other than him. Therefore, a good definition would be: idolatry is the absolutization of any created reality or any product of our imagination when man adopts an attitude of absolute fear, affection or confidence before them. From this follows the following.
The Hebrew terms idols referred to used to allude both to the material from which they were made and to their uselessness, or were terms with a deeply disparaging accusation. Among these, there are words that have been translated by expressions such as “ carved or sculpted image ” (literally, “carving”); "Molten statue, image or idol" (literally, "something thrown, thrown"); "Horrible idol"; "Vain idol" (literally, "vanity"), and "sick idol." The word "idol" is a translation of the Greek word éi • dō • lon.
Idolatry then; it is the veneration, love, adoration, or worship of an idol. It is normally related to a higher power, real or supposed, whether it is attributed an animate existence (human, animal or even an organization) or if it is something inanimate (a force or an inanimate object of nature). Idolatry is often accompanied by some kind of ceremony or rite, as well as the veneration of any human creation rather than the one true Creator.
Some of the idolatrous practices mentioned in the Bible were disgusting, such as ceremonial prostitution, child sacrifice, drunkenness, and self-hatred to the point where blood dripped. (1Ki 14:24, 18:28, Jer 19: 3-5, Hos 4:13, 14, Am 2: 8) Idols were worshiped by participating in the food and drink offered at festivals held in their honor (Ex 32: 6; 1Co 8:10), prostrating and sacrificing them, with songs and dances and even kissing them. (Ex 32: 8, 18, 19; 1Ki 19:18; Hos 13: 2)
Idolatry was also practiced by organizing a table with food and drink for the false gods (Isa 65:11), offering libations, sacrificial cakes and sacrificial smoke (Jer 7:18; 44:17), as well as crying in certain ceremonies religious (Eze 8:14). The law prohibits tattooing, cutting, balding on the forehead, cutting the strands on the sides and the tip of the beard, possibly due to their relationship, at least in part, with idolatrous practices that were common in neighboring nations. (Luke 19: 26-28, From 14: 1)
There are also more subtle forms of idolatry. Greed is idolatry (Col 3: 5), since the desired object diverts the affection of the person from the Creator, so that he becomes an idol. Instead of serving Jehovah God faithfully, a person can become a slave to his belly, that is, to his carnal desire or appetite, and make this his god. (Ro 16:18; Philippians 3:18, 19) Since love for the Creator is demonstrated by obedience (1Jn 5: 3), rebellion and presumption are comparable to acts of idolatry. (1Sa 15:22, 23).
