What Are Idols by S. B. Whitney

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 22, 1875

What Are Idols.

By S. B. Whitney

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?” 2 Cor. 6:16.

Anything that the affections are set upon to such an extent as to lead us to disregard the claims of God’s law is an idol. Prominent among these are the hurtful indulgences that a perverted appetite clamors for; as is shown by the testimony in the same connection, relative to the temple of God. “For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them,” &c. Also 1 Cor. 6:19: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you?” &c.

Corroborative of all this is the apostle’s testimony relative to those who serve “their own belly,” and “whose God is their belly.” Rom. 16:18; Phil. 3:19.

I was forcibly reminded of the truth of this by an incident that occurred a few days since. A gentleman had purchased books upon present truth, to the amount of forty cents. He remarked to an old lady present, who claimed to have been a professor of religion over fifty years, that they were worth more than a pound of tobacco. Said she, in reply, “No taint! I’d rather have the tobacker.”

Another incident will illustrate the same point. Recently I was visiting an aged and much respected friend, who is favorable to the present truth, but has not fully embraced it. He has, however, professed sanctification for a number of years. In our conversation at the table, I recommended the health reform for the physical ailments of which he was complaining. He replied, “There is too much self-denial in that for me.” This led me to mentally inquire whether there is any antagonism between self-denial and sanctification. The Saviour says, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me;” and the grace of God teaches self-denial as its first lesson. Luke 9:23; Titus 2:11, 12. How, then, can we be sanctified before we have learned this primary lesson in following Christ and holy living? Let those answer who can.

S. B. WHITNEY.