In what way are idols connected to demons (Deuteronomy 32:16–17)?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Idolatry is more than just false worship—it is spiritual participation with demons, as Deuteronomy 32:16–17 and other passages reveal. Though idols are not demons themselves, Scripture suggests demonic beings are often behind false gods, receiving the worship meant for God, even if the Bible does not explicitly tell us the exact connection between demons and idols or how it happens. Still, the root of idolatry is in the human heart, and God holds people—not demons—responsible for turning away from Him. Our focus should not be on the connection between physical idols and demons, but that we can make anything an idol. While demons may influence idolatry, we are called to repent and worship God alone. Today, anything we love more than God can become an idol, and idolatry still invites spiritual danger.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Deuteronomy 32:16–17 reads, “They stirred Him to jealousy with strange gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger. They sacrificed to demons who were not God, to gods they have never known.” God revealed the connection between idolatry and worshipping false gods.
• Though the text does not mention idols, it is generally assumed that the “abominations” used to provoke God were idols (see Deuteronomy 27:15, 29:17; 2 Chronicles 15:8).
• The “abominations” and “strange gods” are parallel ideas in the Hebrew text. That means that they refer to the same thing but with different words.
• Deuteronomy 32:17 is a parallel idea to all of verse 16, so the “demons who were not God” are both the “strange gods” and the idols (“abominations”).
• Leviticus 17:7 also implies a similar connection between idolatry and demons, referring to “goat demons” as the recipients of sacrifices.
• Psalms 106 also connects idolatry and demons. It says that when the Israelites did not destroy everyone in the promised land, the result was that they “served their idols” and “even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons” (Psalms 106:36-37).
• Further evidence of a connection between idols and demons appears in the book of Daniel, which refers to spiritual beings called the Prince of Persia and the Prince of Greece. While the text does not explicitly link these beings to idol worship, it suggests the possibility of specific demons exercising influence over nations or regions. These demonic powers may be associated with the false gods of those cultures, hinting at a deeper spiritual reality behind idolatry (Daniel 10:13, 20).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament mostly talks about idolatry in terms of the heart condition of sinful men and women (Colossians 3:5).
• However, there is a passage that also makes a connection between demons and idol worship. In 1 Corinthians 10:20, referring to unbelievers (Gentiles) worshiping in the city of Corinth, Paul says, “they offer to demons and not to God.” While Paul had just said that “an idol has no real existence” (1 Corinthians 8:4), he meant that to believers, they are really nothing. However, in some way, the Gentiles who were sacrificing were participating with demons, a practice which Paul wanted the believers to shun (1 Corinthians 10:20b).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Scripture implies a connection between demons and idols, suggesting that demonic forces are at work behind false worship—not literally inhabiting the idols, but acting as the unseen powers receiving the devotion. These demons likely also influence people’s hearts, drawing them away from God and toward idolatry, though the Bible does not fully explain how this works. We need to be very careful about looking behind every rock for a demon or blaming them for our sin. However, Scripture makes it clear that there is a real and active spiritual realm. Though we may not fully understand the connections, committing idolatry is to participate with, and even to worship, demons.

Today, in our “modern world,” idols are no less prevalent than they were in ancient days. Often the idol is not an actual image or statue (though there are plenty of those today, too!), but idolatry is expressed in what we love more than God. In fact, Paul tells us that all idolatry starts in our heart. This was just as true for the Israelites (Ezekiel 14:3) as it is for us (Colossians 3:5).

Does this mean that there are demonic influences at work even when there is not a physical idol? Based on what Scripture tells us the answer is “yes.” However, Scripture never tells us to bind demons or to blame them for our sin. We are each held responsible for what we do. The Israelites, not demons, were severely punished for Israel’s idolatry. Likewise, we, not demons, are held responsible for our sin. For believers, this means that we must continuously repent (1 John 1:9) and stop sinning like we did before we were saved (1 Corinthians 6:9–11). We have the Holy Spirit living inside us; we don’t want to give the devil or demons a foothold. For unbelievers that means that, regardless of what influence demons may have over your heart to blind you from believing (2 Corinthians 4:4), you are still commanded to repent. When you do, God will do the work to free you from their hold and to change you so that you can begin to obey Him!

UNDERSTAND

• Scripture reveals that idol worship is not just false religion—it is spiritual participation with demons.
• Demons do not literally inhabit idols but act as unseen spiritual powers behind them, influencing people to turn from God and receive the worship meant for Him.
• The root of idolatry lies in the human heart, and while demons may influence idolatry, God holds people accountable for their choices and commands all to repent and worship Him alone.

REFLECT

• What things in your life compete with God for your attention, trust, or affection—and how can you ensure that they do not become idols?
• How does recognizing the spiritual danger behind idolatry change how seriously you take your own temptations?
• Are there times when you’ve blamed outside influences for your choices instead of taking responsibility before God? What should be your response instead?

ENGAGE

• How can we recognize and confront “modern idols” in our culture?
• How does the connection between idolatry and demons challenge the way we talk about spiritual warfare and personal sin?
• How can we encourage one another to repent and stay spiritually vigilant without falling into fear or superstition about demons?