The Scriptures mention idolatry and harlotry, ancient sins and spirits that affect individuals and nations. The Bible warns that everyone is vulnerable, including prophets and dreamers.
At Purim on the Hebrew calendar and the beginning of Holy Week on the Gregorian calendar, let us examine how Jesus responds to these enemies of our soul.
What is idolatry and harlotry?
By simple definition, idolatry is anything we take pleasure in or give attention to more than God. It is a violation of the first two of the Ten Commandments.
You shall have no other gods before me. You shall make no idols – nor bow down to them nor serve them. (Exodus 20:3-6, paraphrased)
Idols may look like carved images or Oscars, but only sometimes. An idol can be an ambitious climb to the top of an organizational chart, acquiring prestigiously branded wheels or sails, or insidious but coveted likes and follows on social media.
Spiritual harlotry, another term for spiritual adultery, is a type of idolatry where the perpetrator is also unfaithful to or violates a covenant relationship. Since harlotry begins in the eyes or heart, it causes us to be unfaithful to our Heavenly Father and is especially egregious to God (Ezekiel 6:9).
Jesus’ answer: If you are faithless, I remain faithful; I cannot deny Myself. (II Timothy 2:13, NKJV)
Idolatry and harlotry in Israel
Beyond being sins of the flesh, the spirits of idolatry and harlotry widely influence nations. The Scriptures refer to Israel’s attraction to idols as a chronic problem, a condition punishable by banishment or death.
Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations. (Ezekiel 6:9 as quoted by the Lord)
Moreover, the adulterous sister cities, Samaria and Jerusalem (Ezekiel 23), and families Ephraim and Judah (Hosea 5) destroyed the land with their lying, killing, stealing, and bloodshed (Hosea 4:2-3).
King Ahab and his wicked wife, Jezebel, undoubtedly exemplified idolatrous behavior. However, the Bible reports many other instances when idolatry threatened the bloodline of the Abrahamic Covenant. Consider Abram and Sarai in Egypt, Jacob and his Uncle Laban, Judah and Tamar, David and Bathsheba, and King Solomon’s foreign wives.
Jesus’ answer: Before Abraham’s covenant, I AM. I AM the Lamb slain before the Foundations of the earth to establish the New Covenant.
Signs of Idolatrous Harlotry
Can a Christian play the role of a harlot in the spiritual sense? According to Hosea, there are several signs. I have been guilty of one or more at different times in my walk with God. How about you?
Tap here to view some signs.
- Seeking help from another source before seeking God. Israel sought help from Assyria and Egypt (Hosea 4:12, 5:13, 7:11). Today, we consult well-known prophets, physicians, YouTube, and now AI.
- Giving from the purse but not the heart, or caving to pressure from others to give, not recognizing that God wants our hearts, not our money. God desires that we love mercy and know Him more than the sacrifices we make (Hosea 5:6, Micah 6:8).
- Repenting from the lips, not the heart, resulting in fleeting or no change (Hosea 5:4. 6:1-4).
- Complaining to others instead of seeking God while silently accusing Him of being unfair for not rescuing us swiftly (Ezekiel 18:25-30).
Dreaming about Spiritual Adultery
When our hearts become distracted by idols, evidence of spiritual adultery often enters our dreams. We may see a puzzling dream about a romantic affair with a past love interest or a disturbing demonic encounter with an incubus or succubus spirit, or even a witch (rebellion is like witchcraft). Additionally, the color gold in a negative context may be prevalent and indicate idolatry, the opposite of holiness.
Sadly, spiritual adultery rampantly affects organizations and churches. I saw the following dream in the early to mid-2000s.
Dream of the IHOP (Kansas City)
The location was IHOP (the International House of Prayer). As I observed a meeting in progress, I noticed many young women dressed seductively. A leader arrived. Displeased by what he saw, He aimed a shotgun and started blasting them away. Those who could escape scattered and hid themselves outdoors.
I awakened so shocked and traumatized by the dream that I could not speak about it. Frankly, I rejected it as false. I saw nothing like the lovely harp and bowl worship broadcasts on God TV or the respectful atmosphere in the prayer rooms I sensed during my last visit in 2016.
I only remembered the dream after recent reports of adultery at IHOP, which left me grieved. From unverified online posts, these incidents began around 20 years ago, when I saw the dream. God is truly patient! The women in my dream were spirits, and God thundered at His enemies. The shotgun represents powerful words released from God’s mouth (Hosea 6:5).
These ancient spirits are still at work. How many Christian ministries have they destroyed to date?
Jesus’ answer: To those who commit sexual immorality and teach others to do so, I have been patient. Repent now before you bring suffering to yourself. I am He who searches hearts and minds. (Revelation 2: 22-23, paraphrased).
God’s Response to Idolaters
Though judgments come because God punishes idolatry (Ezekiel 14), He always responds in love to bring us to repentance.
According to the text, God resists inquiries from idolaters. Suppose a dreamer with idols in his heart (causing stumbling) comes to a prophet (or dream interpreter) to hear a word from the Lord. In that case, God says He will answer the idolater according to the multitude of idols. Then, He will punish both the dreamer and the prophet induced to answer. (This Scripture stirs the Fear of God!)
God remains watchful, but He departs because He is holy (Hosea 5:15). Suddenly, the Lord does not seem as close as He used to be. Furthermore, God rejects our service (as priests) until we genuinely repent (Hosea 4:6).
He will warn us over and over again in dreams to change our ways. If we do not repent, our visions will become futile and void of hope (Job 33:14-22, Ezekiel 13:1-8).
God lovingly leads us to the Valley of Achor (affliction), away from the idols. Eventually, with broken and contrite hearts, we find Him again and become restored to genuine, lasting hope. Then, God graciously receives us back, in the same way He instructed the prophet Hosea to take back his unfaithful wife. (Hosea 2, 3; Isaiah 57:15).
Overcoming Spiritual Idolatry and Harlotry
Dreamers, our repetitive dreams can reveal the presence of idolatry and harlotry. If so, we can overcome this evil tag team when we recognize that the source breaches our relationship with God. Blaming Satan will not absolve us of this evil. We must repent.
Tap here to view examples of personal changes we can make.
- Revising our television or social media viewing habits.
- Curbing self-serving ambitions.
- Dissolving unholy friendships.
- Praying the Word, otherwise zippering our lips, instead of talking to the King of Kings about Satan.
Spiritual warfare, deliverance ministry, prayer, and fasting help to break strongholds. Still, we only maintain our freedom by walking in the Spirit and holiness, and that is only the start.
While developing my first online course, last year, God advised through a dream that my audience will be Jacob, an idol-free generation who are currently in preparation (Psalm 24: 3-6). I was not sure of what He meant then, but I understand now.
Early one Sunday morning, within the past month, I pondered the recent air disasters, signs mentioned in the post 1972 re-awakening, and God’s coming glory. As I prayed, I clearly heard, “Ask for the spirit of the Fear of the Lord,” so I did. Hours later, in Church, our Pastor’s sermon was on the same subject: The spirit of the Fear of the Lord. Jesus answered by confirming the Word. We can be assured that He will also perform the necessary work in our hearts.
Prayer: Father, cause us to walk in the Spirit, in holiness, and in the Fear of the Lord. Please keep our hearts “contrite” towards you so we remain free from idols. We ask, and we thank you, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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4 thoughts on “Idolatry and Harlotry: Jesus’ Answer”
Hi Jacquie, thanks for this comprehensive post on how idols can mess with people of faith. I can become a harlot without realizing it when things penetrate my consciousness and take the place that God alone should have. This is why it’s good to ‘throw away the jawbone’ after it has served its purpose. Power is in God and nothing else.
You’re welcome, Paul. We are all saved and kept only by Grace and the Power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we have to throw away old jawbones. Thank you for reading and sharing. God bless you!
NICE 💓❤️💚
Happy Sunday 🌞
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You are definitely not spam. ❤️💜💗