No outward shrines may be visible, there may be no image for the eye to rest upon, yet we may be practicing idolatry. It is as easy to make an idol of cherished ideas or objects as to fashion gods of wood or stone. Thousands have a false conception of God and His attributes. They are as verily serving a false God as were the servants of Baal. Are we worshiping the true God as He is revealed in His word, in Christ, in nature, or are we adoring some philosophical idol enshrined in His place? God is a God of truth. Justice and mercy are the attributes of His throne. He is a God of love, of pity and tender compassion. Thus He is represented in His Son, our Saviour. He is a God of patience and long-suffering. If such is the being whom we adore and to whose character we are seeking to assimilate, we are worshiping the true God. {5T 173.4}

Vi kan godt tilbede afguder uden noget synligt alter eller uden noget billede, som øjet kan se. Det (174) er lige så let at gøre sine højt værdsatte ideer eller mål til afguder, som moderne ting af træ eller sten. Tusinder har falske forestillinger om Gud og hans egenskaber. De tjener lige så virkelige falske guder, som Ba'als tjenere gjorde. Tjener vi den sande Gud, som han åbenbares i Ordet, i Kristus og i naturen, eller dyrker vi hellere en filosofisk afgud? Gud er sandhedens Gud. Retfærdighed og nåde kendetegner hans styreform. Han er kærlighedens, medlidenhedens og den dybe barmhjertigheds Gud. Således fremtræder han i sin Søn, vor Frelser. Han er tålmodighedens og langmodighedens Gud. Når vi søger at efterligne et sådant væsens karaktertræk og bøjer os for ham, tilbeder vi den sande Gud.