The Bible warns against worshiping ancestors and calls believers to worship God alone. Today, we’ll look at what Scripture says about this practice and how to honor God above all.
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What Does The Bible Say About Ancestral Worship
Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
This verse emphasizes the exclusive worship of the true God. Ancestral worship involves the veneration and worship of deceased ancestors as gods, which goes against the commandment to have no other gods before the Lord.
It reminds believers to worship and serve only the living God rather than idolizing their ancestors or any other false deities.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”
This passage clearly condemns practices like consulting the dead or engaging in divination, which are often associated with ancestral worship. The Lord prohibits such acts as they are detestable in His sight.
It serves as a warning against participating in any form of worship or rituals that involve communication with the dead or seeking supernatural guidance apart from God.
Leviticus 19:31
“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.”
God prohibits His people from seeking guidance from mediums or spiritists, as it defiles them and compromises their relationship with Him. This verse explicitly forbids seeking spiritual counsel from the dead or any other supernatural source outside of God.
It reinforces the need to rely on God alone for guidance and protection, rather than seeking answers from ancestors or any other spiritual entities.
Isaiah 8:19
“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
In this verse, God questions why people would seek advice from the dead, who have no living connection or knowledge of the present. Instead, they should seek guidance from God, who is alive and intimately involved in the lives of His people.
It challenges the practice of ancestral worship by reminding believers that true answers and guidance come from the living God, not from the spirits of the deceased.
Psalm 115:4-8
“But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”
This passage exposes the futility of worshiping idols made by human hands. Ancestral worship often involves the veneration of ancestral idols, which are lifeless and powerless.
It serves as a reminder that worship and devotion should be reserved for the living God, who is all-knowing, all-seeing, and capable of hearing and answering prayers.
Joshua 24:15
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua declares his commitment to serve the Lord alone. This verse encourages believers to make a conscious choice to worship and serve the one true God, regardless of cultural or ancestral practices.
It emphasizes the importance of personal conviction and faithfulness to God, even if it means going against the traditions of one’s ancestors.
Acts 17:24-25
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.”
Paul’s message in Athens challenges the belief that gods dwell in physical temples or idols. It affirms that the true God is not confined to man-made structures but is the creator of all things.
This verse exposes the fallacy of ancestral worship, where idols are believed to possess spiritual power. It underscores the fact that the true God is self-sufficient and not in need of human offerings or worship.
1 Corinthians 10:20
“No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.”
Paul warns against participating in pagan sacrifices, which are ultimately offered to demonic forces rather than to the true God. This passage discourages any form of worship or rituals that involve communicating with the dead or supernatural entities.
It underscores the danger of ancestral worship, as it opens doors to spiritual deception and demonic influence, leading believers away from the worship of the one true God.
Romans 1:25
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.”
This verse describes the pattern of idolatry seen throughout history, where people replace the worship of the true God with the worship of created things. Ancestral idols are man-made creations, leading believers away from the worship of the eternal Creator.
It reminds believers to prioritize the worship of God above all else, avoiding the deceptive allure of ancestral idols or any other created objects.
Revelation 22:9
“But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!’”
In this verse, an angel rebukes John for attempting to worship him, emphasizing that only God is worthy of worship. It reinforces the need to direct our worship solely towards God, rather than any other heavenly or earthly being.
It serves as a clear reminder to avoid idolizing ancestors or any other spiritual beings, focusing our devotion and worship on the one true God.
John 14:6
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
Jesus declares Himself as the exclusive path to God the Father. This verse highlights the centrality of faith in Christ alone for salvation and a right relationship with God.
It challenges the notion of ancestral worship as a means to approach God, emphasizing the necessity of faith in Jesus as the only mediator between God and humanity.
1 John 5:21
“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”
In his closing remarks, John exhorts believers to guard themselves against idolatry. This verse serves as a general warning, applicable to any form of idolatry, including ancestral worship.
It reinforces the need to maintain a pure devotion to God, avoiding the temptation to elevate any created beings or objects above the worship of the true and living God.
Jeremiah 10:14
“Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. The images he makes are a fraud; they have no breath in them.”
Jeremiah exposes the foolishness and futility of idol worship, pointing out that idols are mere lifeless creations that cannot bring life or salvation. This verse highlights the emptiness of trusting in ancestral idols.
It challenges the practice of ancestral worship by reminding believers that true worship should be directed towards the living God, who alone possesses power and authority.
Exodus 34:14
“Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”
This verse emphasizes the exclusive devotion and worship that God demands from His people. It portrays God as a jealous God who desires undivided loyalty from His followers.
It reminds believers that worshiping ancestors or any other gods is an offense to the living God, who deserves their complete and undivided worship.
Deuteronomy 6:14
“Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.”
God instructs His people to refrain from following or worshiping the gods of other nations. This verse warns against adopting the religious practices or beliefs of surrounding cultures, including ancestral worship.
It underscores the need for believers to remain faithful to God and His commandments, refraining from participating in any form of idolatry.
Colossians 2:8
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”
Paul warns against being deceived by worldly philosophies and traditions that do not align with Christ. This verse cautions believers against embracing ancestral worship as a result of societal or cultural pressure.
It encourages believers to stand firm in their faith in Christ, not being swayed by human traditions or spiritual forces that are contrary to the gospel.
1 Timothy 2:5
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”
Paul emphasizes the exclusive role of Jesus as the mediator between God and humanity. This verse reinforces the uniqueness of Christ’s position, making it clear that He is the only one who can reconcile humanity with God.
It challenges the concept of ancestral mediation or intercession, affirming that Jesus alone can intercede on behalf of believers.
Acts 4:12
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Peter declares the exclusive nature of salvation through Jesus Christ. This verse emphasizes the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation and rejects the idea that ancestral worship or any other religious practice can grant eternal life.
It reinforces the centrality of Jesus in the Christian faith and emphasizes the need to trust in Him alone for salvation.
Matthew 10:37
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
Jesus highlights the supreme importance of loving Him above all else, including one’s own family. This verse challenges the cultural pressure to prioritize ancestral worship or familial ties over devotion to Christ.
It reminds believers that their allegiance to Christ should surpass any other relationship or religious practice, including ancestral worship.
Psalm 96:5
“For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.”
The psalmist proclaims the superiority of the true God over all other gods. This verse exposes the futility of worshiping false deities, including ancestral idols, by highlighting their inferiority to the God who created the heavens.
It reminds believers that the worship of ancestral idols is devoid of genuine power or significance, redirecting their focus to the almighty God who reigns over all.
Mark 12:30
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
Jesus teaches the greatest commandment, emphasizing the need to love God with every facet of one’s being. This verse calls believers to a wholehearted devotion to God, leaving no room for competing allegiances or practices, such as ancestral worship.
It reminds believers that their love and devotion should be directed solely towards God, excluding any idols or false gods.
Proverbs 14:12
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
This proverb warns against following paths that may seem right but ultimately lead to destruction. It challenges the belief that ancestral worship is a legitimate means to connect with God or find fulfillment.
It prompts believers to exercise discernment and seek the truth, realizing that true life and salvation can only be found in God and His ways.