Other gods

[Raymon]

Hello all,
Newer Christian, was baptized about 3 years ago. I was doing my daily reading and read Psalms 86: 8 "Among the gods there is none like you " I am curious is this indicating that there are other gods or is it the idles that people have created.
Would like to read Chopper 's response to this among others.

Thanks and God bless
Raymon

 

[WIP]

Hi Raymon and welcome to CFnet. Hopefully, you'll decide to become a member and post more regularly.

I am curious is this indicating that there are other gods or is it the idles that people have created.

I think both are one and the same. Idols are essentially other gods. A god is something we worship and we have a tendency to idolize a lot of things both tangible and intangible. Some examples I've seen and personally experienced are money, fame, wealth, power, people, pride, the Bible (yes I believe one can idolize the Bible itself), etc. Basically anything that we would place a higher value on than God Almighty himself is another god.

Just my

 

[Christ_empowered]

I think that may also be a comparison to the other options in the "religious economy" at the time. Baal, Ishtar, Molech; people had (false) options. Remember in the OT, when Moses has a face off w/ the Egyptian sorcerer? That's what popped into my mind.

 

[for_his_glory]

Paganism has a wide variety of idol worshipping since the fall of man as they have many fictitious gods they bow down to. Secular people who have not the love of Christ found in them make their material possessions their god as they place them higher than God himself. Even Christians can be guilty of idol worshipping when they put more emphasis on the material than they do God of all creation. WIP mentioned the Bible can also become a material idol as many put it on a shelf or display a certain passage for show purposes, but have no true knowledge of what the word of God is trying to teach them.

Here's a cute little story that I explained to the inmates when I use to do prison ministry. I was trying to explain idol worshipping and used the Bible as an example. I was demonstrating how people put more emphasis on the book then they do God. I picked up my Bible and dropped it on the floor and stood on it. There were a couple inmates in the back that didn't like that and thought I was desecrating the Bible, but the rest of them were teachable and understood the point I was making that God of all creation has to come first in our lives above all that we poses.

1Chronicles 16:26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

1Corinthians 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
1Corinthians 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

1John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
1John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
1John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

 

[lifeszero]

Hello all,
Newer Christian, was baptized about 3 years ago. I was doing my daily reading and read Psalms 86: 8 "Among the gods there is none like you " I am curious is this indicating that there are other gods or is it the idles that people have created.
Would like to read Choppers response to this among others.

Thanks and God bless
Raymon

Well their ain't no other gods but life itself. It's only when people think what life is, that's when they create idols.

 

[Free]

Hello all,
Newer Christian, was baptized about 3 years ago. I was doing my daily reading and read Psalms 86: 8 "Among the gods there is none like you " I am curious is this indicating that there are other gods or is it the idles that people have created.
Would like to read Choppers response to this among others.

Thanks and God bless
Raymon

1Co 8:4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one."
1Co 8:5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"—
1Co 8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. (ESV)

"Gods" refers to these idols which have "no real existence" and hence are "so-called gods". Indeed, even God himself says there are no other gods:

Isa 44:6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. (ESV)

Actually, read that whole chapter, as it speaks much of other gods.

Isa 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, (ESV)

Isa 45:22 "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. (ESV)

Isa 46:9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, (ESV)

There is, ever has been, and ever will be, only one God.

 

[Gerhard]

Hi Raymon. I had a hobby before I got baptized that became my god. My music collection and interest in the lives of the artists, chart parades etc. I literally spent 1000's on it and later got myself into credit card debt. It started of absolutely innocent and became a monster. For example, I regularly imported cd's, autographs etc, just to receive them, put them in strict alphabetic order (and basically forget them), just as long as I had them in my collection. What started off as a hobby became an addiction and later on a god. I also spent many hours watching interviews with "star" people on YouTube or would pack out all my cd's just to sit and watch the covers and feel proud of them. It became so bad that I later stayed from work, just to meet some celebs, pretending to be sick. I also started drinking heavily in my music room, all by myself and became a loner - just me and my music world. And so the story continued. Then I met Jesus! Wow, what an eye-opening experience in many ways, including the harm this music god caused our family life. First I tried to to fight and avoid the feeling of "guilt" but simultaneously prayed to the Lord to release me from the binding of this "god". About a month later this "guilt" became so strong that it started feeling as if these cd's and stuff were suffocating me when I sat in my music room in front of my pc (without any drinks sine I met God). I went to my pastor and his answer was straight ... "Deep down you know the answer, destroy them before they destroy you". Just to show you how wonderful the grace of God is and how the Holy Spirit gives us strength when we obey HIS "instructions": I went home and felt a great desire and will to break this chain. There were almost 1000 cds, 300 music dvd's, albums full of original autographs by very famous artists like the 4 Beatles, Michael Jackson etc, years and years of hit charts , pics with artists, rare memorabilia and more . The stuff must have been worth about $80 000 if not more (I honestly do not mean to brag but just want to give you a proper idea of my ex-god). I went into that room and starting to take everything out of the house to destroy it. I had unknown joy in me and until today it is one of the best things that ever happened to me. What started innocently later became a satanic god and only the real GOD could break the chains and set me free. The ONE REAL God is awesome!!!

 

[Eugene]

Welcome Raymon in Jesus' name. It's wonderful to have you visit us.

 

[Raymon]

Thank you everyone those great answers, I will probably sign up this weekend and some other things have a couple of ideas. Would also like to request prayers for myself in going through a valley/desert right now not sure about the lesson he has for me.
Have a blessed rest of the week.
Raymon

 

[WIP]

We look forward to seeing you here more often.

May God bless you.

 

[Count Duckula]

The concept of what is a god is interesting. Look at an angel for instance. Strength and speed beyond measure. Invisibility, flight, teleportation, immortal. An angel is more powerful than basically all polytheistic gods.

 

[Malachi]

I was doing my daily reading and read Psalms 86: 8 "Among the gods there is none like you "

This is not necessarily an acknowledgement that there are other true gods. But since many false gods were being worshipped (and continue to be worshipped even today), it is a confirmation that there is no false god comparable to the one true and living God. Scripture condemns idols as deaf, dumb, and incapable of anything. Scripture also reveals that the false gods are in reality demons (called devils in the KJV).

 

[Count Duckula]

Some initial ambiguity:
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness
Genesis 11:7: "Let us go down, and there confound their language."
Exodus 12:12: "And against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment."
Exodus 18:11: "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods."
Exodus 20:3: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

Here is the first time it's made clear:
Deuteronomy 4:35: "Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him."

Here is an interesting one:
Proverbs 30:4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know!

 

[JPPT1974]

Hello and welcome. Feel free to post. Do not be shy at all! God bless you!

 

[Kane Ali]

Good morning and what an excellent question. The Psalmist was indeed referring to false gods that the nations worshiped. Gods they created, thus they had no power other than what man gave them. God is all powerful and does not need man to recognize Him or His power to still be God. The Psalmist recognized not only the power of the living and true God, he recognized the fatherly love God bestowed upon him as an individual. Thus followers of the true God know there is no other like Him. Did you know God's name is recorded in the Psalms as well? Read Psalms 83:18 (just a few chapters before your query). If your version of the Bible does not have an actual name there, then please read the preface of your Bible regarding this name. Be blessed truth seeker.

Hello all,
Newer Christian, was baptized about 3 years ago. I was doing my daily reading and read Psalms 86: 8 "Among the gods there is none like you " I am curious is this indicating that there are other gods or is it the idles that people have created.
Would like to read Choppers response to this among others.

Thanks and God bless
Raymon

 

[Jim Parker]

Here's a cute little story that I explained to the inmates when I use to do prison ministry. I was trying to explain idol worshipping and used the Bible as an example. I was demonstrating how people put more emphasis on the book then they do God. I picked up my Bible and dropped it on the floor and stood on it. There were a couple inmates in the back that didn't like that and thought I was desecrating the Bible, but the rest of them were teachable and understood the point I was making that God of all creation has to come first in our lives above all that we possess.

Well done.

 

[Eugene]

Followers of the true God know there is no other like Him. Did you know God's name is recorded in the Psalms as well? Read Psalms 83:18

Dear Kane Ali, you quoted the following scripture.
Psa 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

Do you know Who John the Baptist announces in Mar 1:3 ? The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Thanks.

 

[JPPT1974]

John the Baptist was the forerunner to Christ. As He showed others the one true way of Christ. He always took the focus off of him and onto Christ.

 

[Kane Ali]

Good afternoon Eugene. I do know who John the Baptist is and who he was announcing. JPPT1974 has it right. As was foretold in Isaiah 40:3 there will be one till call the nation of Israel to repentance in recognition of their sin as a nation. He was a cousin to the one he was preparing the way for, Jesus Christ. Once Jesus was baptized by John, Jesus went on increasing as John went on decreasing John 3:30. John's ministry focused on preparing the nation of Israel for the Messiah. Jesus' ministry focused on his fathers kingdom Luke 4:43, Luke 22:29.
I do hope I answered your question.

Dear Kane Ali, you quoted the following scripture.
Psa 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

Do you know Who John the Baptist announces in Mar 1:3 ? The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Thanks.

 

[Eugene]

followers of the true God know there is no other like Him. Did you know God's name is recorded in the Psalms as well? Read Psalms 83:18

Dear Kane Ali, you quoted the following scripture.
Psa 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.
Do you know Who John the Baptist announces in Mar 1:3 ? The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

As was foretold in Isaiah 40:3 there will be one till call the nation of Israel to repentance in recognition of their sin as a nation.
he was preparing the way for, Jesus Christ.

Would you also say that Jesus is Jehovah? Thanks.