Worshipping the Flesh as Idolatry and Devil Worship
The concept of worshipping the flesh as idolatry and devil worship is rooted in biblical prohibitions against idolatrous practices, including mutilating one's body as a form of worship or mourning. The Israelites were commanded not to imitate the practices of other nations, such as cutting their flesh for the dead or making marks on their bodies [1, 2].
In Leviticus 19:28 and 21:5, the Israelites are prohibited from making cuttings in their flesh for the dead or cutting themselves, practices associated with idolatrous worship. Similarly, Deuteronomy 14:1 forbids the Israelites from cutting themselves or making baldness between their eyes for the dead. These practices were characteristic of idolatrous worship, particularly among the Syrians [2].
The biblical concept of idolatry encompasses not only the worship of images but also the attribution of divine honor to created objects or beings. Paul describes the origin of idolatry in Romans 1:21-25, where men forsake God and sink into ignorance and moral corruption [3].
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul warns against idolatry, associating it with immoral behavior and fleshly desires. In Galatians 5:19-21, idolatry is listed among the works of the flesh, alongside immorality, uncleanness, and other vices [4]. Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 10:19-20, Paul clarifies that an idol is not a real god but that the sacrifices offered to idols are actually offered to demons.
The early Church Fathers interpreted idolatry and its associated practices in the context of their own time. John Chrysostom, for example, notes that participating in idolatrous practices can lead to communion with demons [5]. Augustine also discusses the issue of idolatry, explaining that the apostle's prohibition against eating meat offered to idols is not because the idol is a real entity but because it is associated with demonic worship [8].
The Jewish tradition, as reflected in the Babylonian Talmud, also prohibits slaughtering animals for idolatrous purposes, considering such actions as offerings to the dead or to demons [7, 9]. Rabbi Yoḥanan's opinion is cited, stating that if one slaughters an animal with the intention of sprinkling its blood or burning its fat for idol worship, the animal is considered an offering to idol worship, and deriving benefit from it is prohibited [10].
The Reformed tradition, represented by Charles Hodge, understands idolatry as a violation of the first commandment, emphasizing that worship should be directed solely to God. Hodge also notes that certain practices, while not inherently wrong, can become idolatrous if they lead to a focus on created things rather than the Creator [6].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Cutting — The flesh in various ways was an idolatrous practice, a part of idol-worship (Deut. 14:1; 1 Kings 18:28). The Israelites were commanded not to imitate this practice (Lev. 19:28; 21:5; Deut. 14:1). The tearing of the flesh from grief and anguish of spirit in mourning for the dead was regarded as a mark of affection (Jer. 16:6; 41:5; 48:37). Allusions are made in Revelation (13:16; 17:5; 19:20) to the practice of printing marks on the body, to indicate allegiance to a deity. We find also references to it, through in a different direction, by Paul (Gal. 6; 7) ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Cuttings [in The Flesh] — Cuttings in the flesh, or the laceration of one's body for the "propitiation of their gods," (1 Kings 18:28) constituted a prominent feature of idolatrous worship, especially among the Syrians. The Israelites were prohibited from indulging in such practices. (Leviticus 19:28; 21:5; 14:1; Jeremiah 16:6)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Idolatry — Image-worship or divine honour paid to any created object. Paul describes the origin of idolatry in Rom. 1:21-25: men forsook God, and sank into ignorance and moral corruption (1:28). The forms of idolatry are, (1.) Fetishism, or the worship of trees, rivers, hills, stones, etc. (2.) Nature worship, the worship of the sun, moon, and stars, as the supposed powers of nature. (3.) Hero worship, the worship of deceased ancestors, or of heroes. In Scripture, idolatry is regarded as of heathen origin, and as being imported among the Hebrews through contact with ”
- Galatians “Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, -- Galatians 5:19”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: the flesh,” as though they themselves were according to the Spirit. And what he says is of this nature: “even from persons of the grosser sort ye may be instructed that they who eat the sacrifices, have communion with the altar.” Dost thou see how he intimates that they who seemed to be perfect have not perfect knowledge, if they know not even this, that the result of these sacrifices to many oftentimes is a certain communion and friendship with devils, the practice drawing them on by degrees? For if among men the fellowship of salt 119 119 Cf. L”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 39: Christian Liberty in Matters of Indifference. It is perfectly consistent with the principle above stated, that a thing may be right or wrong according to circumstances, and, therefore, it may often be wrong for a man to do what the Bible does not condemn. Paul himself circumcised Timothy; yet he told the Galatians that if they allowed themselves to be circumcised, Christ would profit them nothing. Eating meat offered in sacrifice to idols was a matter of indifference. Yet the Apostle said, “If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Chullin 39b.2: It is taught in a baraita in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan: With regard to one who slaughters an animal in order to sprinkle its blood for idol worship or to burn its fat for idol worship, the status of these animals is that of offerings to the dead, i.e., to idols, and the slaughter is not valid. If one slaughtered the animal and thereafter intended in its regard to sprinkle its blood or burn its fats for idol worship, that was the incident in Caesarea, and the Sages did not say anything with regard to the animal, neither prohibition nor permis”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 4: Augustine — Anti-Manichaean, Anti-Donatist — BOOK XX. (part 21): and to birds, and four-fooled beasts, and creeping things."(2) These are the idols of the Gentiles, which they cannot explain except by referring to the creatures made by God; so that this very explanation of their idolatry, on which the more enlightened Gentiles were wont to pride themselves as a proof of their superiority, shows the truth of the following words of the apostle: "They worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever."(3) Where you differ from the Gentiles, you are in”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Avodah Zarah 153b.101:22: § Rabbi Elazar says: From where is it derived concerning one who slaughters an animal as an offering to Mercury that he is liable even though it is not typically worshipped in this manner? This is derived from a verse, as it is stated: “And they shall not slaughter their offerings anymore to the se’irim after whom they go astray; this shall be to them an eternal statute, throughout their generations” (Leviticus 17:7). If this verse is not needed for the matter of prohibiting the worship of an idol in its typical manner, it must apply to another matt”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Zevachim 10a.1: With regard to one who slaughters an animal in order to sprinkle its blood for idol worship, or in order to burn its forbidden fat for idol worship, Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Deriving benefit from the animal is prohibited, as it is considered an offering to idol worship, even if ultimately its blood was not sprinkled or its fat burned to that effect. This is because one can have intention from one rite to affect another rite; idolatrous intent while slaughtering the animal renders it forbidden, even if the intention pertains not to the slaughter itself but to the s”