The Beginning of Demetrius Mentality
Many of you do not know Demetrius, but his examples were among the traditions of many people today, both in business and religious practices.
Who is Demetrius?
Demetrius is a man whose job is making materials sacred to Paganism. He is not the one mentioned in 3 Jn. 1:12 who has a good report, but the one from the book of Acts “And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.” Acts19:23-27
This man named Demetrius believes that Diana is god and the things he may be referring to are images they thought as gods. Witness how this mentality shapes up the minds of many individuals. Let us know the factors on how it became a widespread practice even unto this day.
The Development of that Mentality
The major factor in idolatry is unto ‘SELF’ and away from God. Self is indicated by the word “I”. Some have discovered that a double I-I combined with the word ‘self’ and read reversely is equals to the word “FLESH”. This is interesting. It is why the factors being discussed here were mostly starting with that letter “I”. Hoping you can carefully watch this in the scriptures.
Inspiration of Satan
The worship of idols, or images referred to by the scriptures as ‘gods’, started not with the making of representation made of material things. It begun when God’s created archangel, Lucifer, withholds worship due to God and desired to have it for himself .“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:” Isa.14:12-13
This is how Satan engineered the practice of idolatry worldwide. So, the first one is through the Inspiration of Satan . Notice that people were already sacrificing to devils according to this verse. “They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.” Deut.32:17 (Also Ps.106:36-37)
“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” 1Co.10:19-20
The people did not know that they were being deceived by devils. This is why idolatry is always associated with Satan. The beginning of evil things are of course inspired by the enemy of righteousness. And what will happen in the latter time through seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (1 Tim.4:1), already happened long ago. Satan was jealous of God and he doesn’t want the True God to be worshipped, so he desired to have it for himself. This enemy of righteousness was so crafty. He even loves to share something, although it is not for good. And so, his act of selfish ambition was also spread. His favorite line when he approached Eve was to tell her she can be like gods. “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Gen.3:5
Introduction of sin
There could never be a practice of idolatry if there’s no Introduction of sin in the world. This is how he shared his deceitful ways, and therefore, came the fall of man at the Garden of Eden. It is when Adam disobeyed God’s counsel (Gen.2:15-17; 3:1-19). “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Rom.5:12
That is the reason why idolatry is causing man to sin.“Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:” 2Kng.21:11
Inability of man
Because man was in darkness and a captive of Satan, he has inability to do what is of God, what is right, but he can do only what the enemy wills. “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Eph.2:2 He is unable to free himself from Satan through his own way because he’s already captivated (2 Tim.2:26).
Iniquity of man
When man sinned, it all gave birth to a more and more perversion in God’s sight. “Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.” Ps.106:43 Thus, the Iniquity of man is another factor.
“And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity.” Ezk.44:10
Imagination
God even saw the wickedness of man developing to a more perversion in His sight through Imagination “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Gen.6:5
We can read also in the book of Romans 1:21-23
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” (See also Ezk.8:12)
This is the reason why in one’s imagination an image could be made or pictured. Therefore, idolatry is associated with having images or forms for which the LORD forbids.
Invention of tools
Before the rise of mythological personalities, we can read from the Scriptures that there were already such customs and traditions of idolatrous practices even before Moses was born, and also before the existence of the tribes of Israel. The father in law of Jacob was mentioned to have images he called as ‘gods’ (Gen.31:30) and it was stolen by Rachel, Jacob’s wife (Gen.31:19). We may wonder where Laban learned of idol worship, but looking back to some historical accounts, we can learn that the Invention of carving tools and other instruments led to the making of those images. “And Zillah, she also bore Tubal-cain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.” Gen.4:22The reason we can find expert craftsman like Bezaleel and Aholiab (Exo.31:1-11), the reason why Noah was able to make the ‘Ark’( Gen.6:14 , 22), and the reason why the craft of making images became tradition. “Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions”. Ps.106:39
Therefore, idolatry is associated not only with imaginations, but inventions as well. The product of one’s imaginations has been made, and it has to be accomplished by some tools or instruments to cut and carve wood, stones and other materials.
Industry
When carving, carpentry, sculpture works became in demand, thereby making it a profession for many, the making of materials such as images used for worshipping was brought to market. Their craftsmanship for the sake of art influenced the industry of distributing idols and their related materials. Their works of art were distributed widely that’s why we have one like Demetrius selling them (Acts 19:23-27). And since paganism is the upbringing of all non-Israelites, it gained an easy acceptance to most people. And images were called “gods for sale”.
Imitation
The Israelites dwelt in many places in the midst of pagan countries. They even saw their neighbors and imitated them. Imitation is another factor and that is doing what others are doing. “They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.” Ps.106:34-35 (Also: Deut.29:16-18; Jer.10:2-9). Therefore, idolatry is also associated with doing what we only saw from others.
Insubordination
Insubordination, or a defiant act of man, is another factor. One is not submissive to authority and this is true with idolatry. Man does not want to submit to God. They do not want God’s approval (2 Tim.2:15) the reason they seek for another to approve of them, even to non-speaking and dead materials like wood, stone and metals. That’s how rebellious man is, by submitting to their idols.
Independence
Not only that man doesn’t want to submit unto God, he also wants his own. Man should be depending on the Lord but he wants to make his own. Whatever is right in his own eyes is what he is doing. “Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.” Deut.12:8 And since many people were rebellious they even think that worshipping idols or images was a righteous thing to do.
Impatient act
The patience of man to wait upon God has been compromised. God is a God of patience (Rom.15:5) according to the verse, and therefore those impatient acts are determinants of our swaying. See the people in their impatience, they asked Aaron to make ‘god’ just because Moses is not yet coming back. “And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.” Exo.32:1
Man is always in a hurry to do what they think is right in their own eyes, even to the expense of not inquiring from God and His will.
Inheritance
According to Jeremiah the prophet “O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit. Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?” Jer.16:19-20
This points to us that inheritance is another factor. Different ancestors were passing different beliefs and practices, and the things concerning a deity place as the major one. The influence of the family, especially the parents and grandparents, at times demands the requirement to keep the beliefs that they handed, and with their solemn vows to pass it to coming generations.
Ignorance
The ignorance of many concerning the word of God is another factor., “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts17:29-30 (Also: v.23).
When you do not know what God wants you to do, that’s ignorance. And many people don’t want to know what God wants before they acted. They just presumed that what they wanted to give God will always be accepted. Is it not a right thing to inquire of Him first before doing? You can be sincere for doing one thing in His name, but does God want you to accomplish it?
Imperialism
Imperialism of one country, for example, of Rome, is another factor. Many countries were colonized by Spain, some were colonized by Britain, and some by other countries. Our parents were forced to swallow the faith of our conqueror. Those who questioned were silenced for more than a year, or 300 years, some 400 years and beyond. We learned to obey no matter what the colonizers taught us. And because they have beliefs and traditions, we have to obey no matter what. Rome is a worshipper of Diana, and when Israel became a colony of Rome, they shared that practice to them and to nations that they have dominated concerning military efforts.
Information technology
Today, through information or the increase in knowledge, idolatry is widely seen and shared. We have the radio and TV broadcast, World Wide Web, film-making and publishers of materials that covers every topic and concerns of man. We have social networking sites that can easily connect people and showcase their beliefs. Images and materials on idolatry can now be just a touch away through mobile and electronic gadgets and apps. Some even tried the implant of micro chips suspected to be for one-world governance to be used in the future. We do not know what other forms of increase in knowledge can be made as people continue to make further research on information. But all these increase in information speeds up the spread of idolatry. “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.“ Dan.12:4
Institutions
We have many schools and universities owned and managed by people who are devoted to idolatry. Both government and private universities compete in shaping up young minds to devote on paganism flavored with a little form of Christianity. With almost 18-20 years in secular schools a student is almost exposed to this pagan tradition.
All these factors contributed to the development of the practice of idolatry. But, seeing that all these did not originate from God, it is needful for us to find out what He really wants. Our Maker deserves to be known in the way that pleases Him (Ezk.20:44). We can be sincere for doing a certain tradition, but if it is not according to His will, we are sincerely wrong. Therefore, it is needful to align our faith in His words alone.
The Ancient Mentality
The ancient people already had the Demetrius mentality. “They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.” 2Kngs.17:33
“To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And they made a calf in those days, and offered 6sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.” Acts7:39-41
We can learn that their mentality is from the practices of Egyptians way back when they were still with them during captivity, and it was passed on to their generations. The Demetrius mentality therefore is a mindset that those images and representations they have for a deity, or for God, are god. We can see more of this during Paul’s time. “And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.” Acts 14:11-12
But Paul rebuked them openly by renting his clothes (14) to mean rejection of their acts of worship to them.
“And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:” Acts14:15 This should also serve as a rebuke for those who until now have that same thinking with the Lycaonians and Demetrius.
“Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.”Gal.4:8
Just from the points that we presented, the beginning of idolatry can also be stopped in one’s life. But in order for you to understand why it became widespread, read the following topics to know the factors on its influence to people.
Read 2nd -8th part of Demetrius mentality
Behind Images #2 K4 Ten Commandments
Behind Images # 3 K5 Tradition
Behind Images #4 K6 Mythology
Behind Images #5 K7 Why Idolatry is not right?
Behind Images #6 K8 32 Things as idolatrous practice
Behind Images #7 K9Bad reasons and signs for idolatry
Behind Images #8 K10 What God wants you to do with
idols?
Scriptures quoted from the KJV.
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