BEWARE OF IDOLATRY THROUGH TOTEMISM!

 

THE DANGER AND CONSEQUENCES OF ANCESTRAL IDOLATRY AND TOTEMIC WORSHIP

In most traditions, totems are considered sacred and are used as a means to connect with the spiritual realm. But, it is important to note that the biblical perspective on totems differs from these traditional practices. 

Engaging in practices that attribute supernatural power or divinity to totems goes against biblical teachings. Totems are seen as objects of worship or spiritual significance, potentially leading to idolatry. 

The bible clearly condemns the worship of anything other than God. 

Exodus 20:3-6 (LITV) says, "You shall not have any other gods before Me. You shall not make a graven image for yourself, or any likeness in the heavens above, or in the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth; you shall not bow to them, and you shall not serve them; for I am Jehovah your God, a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of fathers on sons, on the third and on the fourth generation, to those that hate Me; and doing kindness to thousands, to those loving Me, and to those keeping My commandments."

The bible emphasizes the worship of the one true God and discourages the veneration of created objects or idols. God commands His people not to have any other gods before Him or to make idols for worship. 

Christians are called to worship and serve God alone. Idolatry, which involves attributing divine power or significance to created objects, is consistently condemned in the bible. 

Rom 1:25 (ESV) says, "...they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen." 

Christianity teaches believers to discern and reject practices inconsistent with biblical teachings. God warns against engaging in various occult practices, including divination, sorcery, and witchcraft. 

Deuteronomy 18:9-12 (LITV) says, "When you come to the land which Jehovah your God is giving to you, you shall not learn to do according to the hateful acts of those nations. There shall not be found in you one who passes his son or his daughter through the fire, one that uses divination, an observer of clouds, or one divining, or a whisperer of spells, or a magic charmer, or one consulting mediums, or a spirit-knower, or one inquiring of the dead. For all doing these things are an abomination to Jehovah. And because of these filthy acts Jehovah your God is dispossessing these nations before you."

While totemic practices may vary in their nature, Christians are advised to align their spiritual lives with biblical principles. God is the Creator and Owner of all things. 

Psalm 24:1 says, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it."

Christians are called to recognize that God's authority extends over all creation, and our focus should be on worshiping and serving Him, rather than created objects. 

While totems may hold historic significance, it is crucial to discern between traditional practices and biblical principles. Engaging in totem worship can easily lead to idolatry. 

The Bible warns against putting any created thing above God and reminds us that all power and authority belong to Him alone (Isaiah 44:9-20). 

Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is consistently condemned throughout the Bible. God's commandments emphasize the exclusive worship of Him alone. 

Idolatry not only undermines the relationship between God and His people but also leads to spiritual bondage and destruction.

Deuteronomy 4:15-19 (LITV) says, "Therefore you shall carefully watch over your souls, for you have not seen any likeness in the day Jehovah spoke to you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire, that you not deal corruptly, and make for yourselves a graven image, a likeness of any figure, the form of a male or female, the form of any animal in the earth; the form of any winged bird that flies in the heavens; the form of any creeping thing on the ground; the form of any fish in the waters under the earth; and that you not lift up your eyes towards the heavens and shall see the sun, and the heavens, and you be drawn away and worship them, and serve them; which Jehovah your God has allotted to all the peoples under all the heavens."

THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT IN ZIMBABWE

The inhabitants of early Zimbabwe believed that it was their ancestors who watched over them, protected or punished them. It was also believed that certain acts, such as eating or harming one’s totem, would incur the wrath of the spirits of these same ancestors. 

When a family member dies the Shona people do a ritual at the grave (kurova guva) in order to bring back the spirit of the dead person in the home (kudzosa hama mumusha) during a ceremony known as magadziro (the fixing/making). 

During this ceremony the relatives eat unsalted meat from a beast (usually a cow or goat) killed as a sacrifice to the totemic spirit of the family. Both the Law of Moses and the gospel of grace given by Paul show that this is an unacceptable practice in the eyes of God.

 

Deu 32:16-17 says, “They provoked Him to jealousy with strange gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger. They sacrificed to devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new ones newly come up, whom your fathers did not fear.”

 

1Co 10:19-20 says, “What then do I say? That the idol is anything, or that an idolatrous sacrifice is anything? But I say that the things which the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. And I do not desire that you should have fellowship with demons.”

 

It was is believed that the ancestors are the mediators between man and Musikavanhu (The Creator of people). But, the bible makes it clear that none can come to God except through Jesus Christ and that human life belongs to God and it is He who has the power to take it or give it. 

So, if Christians avoids eating or destroying their ‘so-called’ totem out of fear of the ancestors, they will unknowingly be giving those ancestral spirits credit for their life - which credit and glory belongs to God alone. 

Also, the ban to eat totem is contrary to the teaching of Jesus and the apostles that all foods are clean once they are received with the prayer of thanksgiving.

 

1Ti 4:1-5 says, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

 

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the whole argument about totems and family genealogies is labelled as useless and foolish in the bible, such that the wise believer is advised to avoid them.

 

1Ti 1:4 says, “Nor to give heed to fables and endless genealogies (which provide doubts rather than the nurture of God in faith).”

 

Tit 3:9 says, “But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions, and strivings about the Law, for they are unprofitable and vain.”

Totems, as understood in traditional practices, should be approached with caution from a biblical perspective. While symbols and metaphors are used in the Bible to convey spiritual truths, the worship of totems or any created object is considered idolatry. 

The principles of worship, avoiding false spiritual practices, and recognizing God's sovereignty over creation provide a framework for Christians to navigate their beliefs in relation to totemic practices. 

While the Bible does not explicitly address the concept of totems, Christians are encouraged to focus on the worship of the one true God and to avoid practices that may lead to idolatry or compromise their faith. 

Ultimately, the Christian faith emphasizes a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ as the foundation for spiritual fulfillment and guidance. 

Christians are called to worship the one true God and seek a personal relationship with Him, rather than relying on external symbols or objects. 

Christian worship is centered on a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It involves meditation, celebration and adoration, prayer, fasting, the study of God's Word, giving, and fellowship. 

Christians believe in the power of the Holy Spirit working in their lives, guiding and transforming them. 

The Bible teaches that true worship involves a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ (John 4:23-24). It emphasizes the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth, rather than relying on physical objects or symbols. 

While external symbols and rituals can be meaningful, they should never replace the heart of worship and an intimate connection with God. By aligning our lives with the teachings of the Bible, we can avoid the dangers of idolatry and grow in our faith and understanding of God.