MCGI Topic Review | Does God Listen To Idols Worshippers

https://youtu.be/5fXbvluYcfw?si=XZEpWyNumSCiL66K This is a very important and profound question and it is therefore the topic of this question, Does God Listen to Idol Worshipers? It is poignant in the way God is associated with human beings particularly those who prosstrate or worship idols. I was meditating on it, praying, reading the Bible, and listening to teachings. Indeed, it helped me to learn more about the personality of God, His mercy, and His expectations towards us. It is mentioned in the bible that God is a jealous God. He does not desire that we should stoop down to idols and serve the other deities. In the book of Exodus 20: 3-5, God has categorically mentioned that thou shalt not have other gods before me. To them shalt thou not prostrate thyself. This reveals that the idol worship is a grave sin in his eyes. God desires us to worship Him only, as he is the real and living God. Then here is the question, whether a person worships an idol, does God hear his prayer? The bible says that God is angry when human beings resort to idols. In Psalm 115:4-8, the Bible gives reference to the idols that were made out of silver and gold. They have mouths, but not an ability to speak, eyes, but not the ability to see, ears, but not the ability to hear. People who create them become one of them. This implies that idols are useless and meaningless. Based on this, one can easily believe that God will not hear idol worshippers. However, as I read further, I realized that God is able to hear all, since he is God. He sees all and knows all. The only difference is how He responds to worshipers of idols. When human beings prefer idols to Him, He does not listen to them since their hearts are not close to Him. According to Isaiah 59: 2, the bible says, your iniquities have walled between you and your God and your sins have covered His face, therefore he will not hear. One of these sins is idol worship. However, God is merciful. When an idol worshiper is in a heart of repentance in his or her prayers, the God listens. The people of Nineveh were sinners and had many weird gods as indicated in the story of the people of Nineveh. However, they repented and prayed to God when they heard His warning. God heard him and spared them (Jonah chapter 3). This demonstrates the fact that God never overlooks a humble heart. When one is willing to reject the idols and find the real God, he/she will be heard. In Acts 17: 30, the Bible states, And the times of this ignorance God winked; but now, commandeth all men everywhere to repent. This scripture translates to the fact that God knows when a person worships idol due to ignorance. However, the individual has to repent when the truth is revealed. He is willing to hear them provided they turn their heart to God. Another thing that I learned was 1 Kings 18 where the prophet Elijah contested the prophets of Baal. All day they prayed to their idol, and nothing happened. God was not able to hear them since idols do not listen. But on the occasion when Elijah prayed to the real God, fire fell out of heaven. This indicates very clearly that it is only the actual God who can listen and respond to prayers. Then what I learned was this, the moral of the story is: Idol worshippers are not heard by God when they go on with their sin and are not willing to repent. But in case they call to Him with repentance and a humble heart He hears them. God is ever-welcoming to any person that rejects idols. Personally, my reflection of this is that everybody should be drawn towards God. He is loving and patient. I am thankful since God provides us with numerous opportunities. He does not warn us against idols because He wants to punish us, but rather He loves us and desires to save us. Idol is unable to provide life, hope, and peace. Only God can. In summary God never entertains the prayer of idols worshippers unless they repent. He wants a clean heart that venerates Him only. I got to know that it is only the honest way of seeking God that I will be heard. In the process of eliminating our idols and placing our faith in the true God, he listens, forgives, and blesses. The one true God, who listens to every true prayer, may we all worship him.