Jeroboam was the first king of the northern kingdom, Israel, after the kingdom split from the southern kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12). However, more than twenty times, Jeroboam is labeled, “The man who made Israel sin” (1 Kings 13:34; 1 Kings 15:26, 34; 1 Kings 16:2) What was the sin that Jeroboam committed?
He erected two golden calves (bulls) within the kingdom. One that was located in the northern city of Dan and another that was located in the southern city of Bethel. Although these idols depicted the false god of Baal, that is not the way Jeroboam presented them. He stated, “Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt” (1 Kings 12:28). In short, these idols were created to represent Yahweh (God). The reason Jeroboam created these idols is because he did not want people going to Judah to worship God at the Temple.
When the golden calves were set up and accepted by the northern kingdom, the conditions in the kingdom worsened rapidly. Many godly people fled the north and went to live in the south, to avoid rampant idolatry.
Surprisingly, the northern kingdom was blessed materially. You can discover this by reading the prophets, Hosea and Amos. However, although the nation seemed to thrive materially, they were under judgment. These two prophets were sent to urge the nation to repent of their idol worship.
What came along with this altered worship of God was gross forms of paganism. Over time, the nation degenerated into full-fledged idolatry. It reached its peak when King Ahab took office nearly 80 years later. However, about 220 years after Jeroboam had taken office, God had enough and judged the nation by using Assyria to destroy the land and take the people captive.
This is a sad and tragic story. Jeroboam in his mind probably did not think what he did was a grievous sin. Surely, he and the people thought, “We are worshipping God and we are being blessed, God is with us”. In short, Jeroboam and the people living in the north were spiritually blinded due to their idolatry.
We must establish that engaging in idolatry is not just a physical act. It is a spiritual transaction. We know from Scripture that behind the physical idol, are spiritual entities. In short, demons are attached to the idols. By submitting to the idols, you submit to demons. By submitting demons, you submit to their influence.
“They did not destroy the peoples,
as the LORD commanded them,
but they mixed with the nations
and learned to do as they did.
They served their idols,
which became a snare to them.
They sacrificed their sons
and their daughters to the demons” (Psa. 106:34-37)
“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?” (1 Cor. 10:14, 20-22)
We see from the story concerning Jeroboam, Israel became enthralled with all types of gross immorality and wickedness which later brought the judgment of God. This corrupting influence of idols/demons darkened the minds of those who were living in the north. As Paul writes,
“Although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images…” (Romans 1:21-23)
As you continue to read Romans 1, you see the progressive nature of spiritual darkness.
- Suppressing truth in unrighteousness. In short, being stubborn. (Rom. 1:18)
- Exchange the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator (Rom. 1:23, 25)
- Given up to the lusts of their hearts to impurity (Rom.1:24)
- Given up to dishonorable passions (homosexuality) (Rom. 1:26-27)
- Given up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done (Rom. 1:28-32)
It is clear, the more we willfully submit to idolatry, we fall into grave danger of progressing in spiritual darkness. Not only do we harm ourselves, we will harm our families, and if we are church leadership, we can do great harm to our churches.
For instance, I have written in the past about Freemasonry, Greek Fraternities, Black Lives Matter (BLM) and have shared how these groups fit the description of idolatry and are demonic in essence. Unfortunately, there are many Christians and Christian leaders that are also a part of these groups. Many Christians do not believe these groups are “idolatrous or demonic” and contribute to their spiritual blindness. This could be an illustration of what Paul says,
“They exchange the truth of God for a lie”.
In my view, this is similar in nature to what happened in the northern kingdom. When Israel engaged in idolatrous worship of the golden calves, it would later branch into other forms of immorality and rebellion. Likewise in our day, by submitting to demonic influence in our lives, it will metastasize through our lives into society at large. Moreover, if church leaders are engaged in idolatry, it will have a profound effect on the church they are leading since they are in a position of authority. In short, that idolatrous influence that is working in that leader will inevitably show up on how he views Scripture, culture, and reality. Therefore, his influence upon his flock will be greatly hindered.
To be clear, when I mention the above groups, and that of spiritual darkness, this darkness is not just confined to the ideology of the particular group(s) in which one is a partaker. Indeed, these idols/demons are vehicles of darkness that will make the person subjected to deeper darkness that is tied to their sinful nature.
For example, when it comes to the LGBT movement, there are Christians that will be silent or will support the LGBT movement when Scripture clearly condemns such behavior. Wouldn’t this be considered, supporting “dishonorable passions”? How can a blood-bought believer in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, become deceived in supporting such a movement? Spiritual darkness.
The same can be said about abortion. How can any believer in Christ be in support of killing a child, unless, he or she has been deceived spiritually to believe so?
Lastly, when it comes to an entire subculture, such as, Hip Hop culture, which is violent, degrading, and blasphemous, how can a born-again believer in Christ be in support of something so profane and even attempt to yoke its influence to the church? Spiritual darkness.
To be fair, one does not necessarily have to be a part of the above groups to be in support of such behavior and culture. However, from my experience, it seems that those who are part of these groups typically are very passive or in opposition to what Scripture has to say about these issues. In any case, when one begins to engage in idolatry, they inevitably open themselves up to spiritual darkness. This spiritual darkness emanates from our fallen flesh and is instigated and promoted by demonic power.
In closing, as Christians, we must know and understand that none of us are immune from falling into spiritual deception/darkness. Paul writes in 1 Tim 4:1,
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
May we take heed to Paul’s warning and avoid idolatry and demonic deception.
