Merriam-Webster’s Definition of Idolatry
Idolatry in ancient times might be easier to see
To name a few: the Golden Calf, the molten or carved images of
Ba’al, Ashtoreth, or Dagon (Remember his head and hands fell off
when he was near the Ark of the Covenant)
Was the apple Eve ate and gave to Adam Idolatry?
Yes, because anything we put above God is idolatry
Anything
Setting up idols in our hearts are sometimes difficult to see or acknowledge
It can be ourselves, our loved ones, our children, our spouses, our jobs
We may not worship them in the sense of worship,
but if they are above God, they are idols
Our thoughts, our music, our material possessions, our friendships,
our love of money
Those sorts of things can all be considered idolatry
Realize that God hates Idolatry
How can we be free?
It is the same answer as with any sin, commit it to God, ask Him for strength and wisdom and help to repent, turn aside from what you know is wrong.
Scriptural References:
Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:4
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 26:1
For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.
1 Chronicles 16:26
For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.
Psalm 96:5
And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. Psalm 106:36
For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin. Isaiah 31:7
Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols
Ezekiel 14:4
Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols. Ezekiel 20:16
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. Ezekiel 36:25
Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 37:23
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
1 Thessalonians 1:9
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 1 John 5:21
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry Colossians 3:5
When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. 1 Samuel 5:2-4
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9