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uring our study
of the church at Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17), we saw one form of
religious idolatry. Religion is not very different today. For
example, the citizens of Pergamum worshipped Asclepius, who
was the god of health. People would come from distant places
for their health. "Health" included baths, theaters for culture,
gyms for physical well-being, and the libraries for the mind.
Culture, reading, the arts, and cleanliness were important.
There are ancient testimonies of people who say that they were
cured of blindness and ulcers. These ancient records reveal
that hypnosis, diet, bathing, and various medicines were commonly
used to help people feel better and to “heal” their
diseases. The citizens did not live in a village of mud huts
and straw shacks. They lived in an elegant city of roads, buildings,
and temples made of stone and marble. They were living in a
society that worshipped one or more gods in their temples,
but not the true God. Religion was part of their daily lives,
including their health.
Idolatry.
Religion is not just a belief in a higher power. Your god is
anything or anyone which occupies your thoughts and time more
than the true God - more than the one who created us. That
is the message of Colossians 3:5,
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Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as
dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire,
and greed, which amounts to idolatry. (NASB) Col 3:5
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This verse simply says that idolatry can even be the passions
which control you. Anything that prevents you from being
totally committed to God is idolatry.
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