Does the Bible say anything about ancestor worship?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Ancestor worship involves revering deceased relatives through prayers, offerings, or rituals, often with the belief that their spirits can influence the living or mediate with the Creator. The Bible explicitly prohibits ancestor worship, teaching that only God is worthy of worship and that Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between humanity and God. Ancestor worship, which involves revering deceased relatives as mediators or sources of guidance, is condemned in both the Old and New Testaments as idolatry and a violation of God’s commands (Exodus 20:3–5; 1 Timothy 2:5). Scripture emphasizes that the dead do not interact with the living, as they are either in God’s presence or separated from Him for eternity (Luke 16:19–31; Hebrews 9:27). While honoring the memory of loved ones is appropriate, attributing divine influence or seeking guidance from ancestors undermines God’s authority and leads to spiritual harm. Christians are called to lovingly share the truth that salvation and guidance come only through Jesus Christ and to honor the past in ways that glorify God.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Exodus 20:3–5 reads, "You shall have no other gods before me… You shall not bow down to them or serve them." This command forbids worshiping anyone or anything other than God.
• God warns Israel against practices such as contacting the dead, calling these detestable acts (Deuteronomy 18:10–12).
• Leviticus 19:31 says, "Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God."

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In Matthew 22:37, Jesus commands, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind," emphasizing exclusive devotion to God.
• Luke 16:19–31 offers a clear depiction of the afterlife, illustrating that the dead are either in a place of comfort or torment, with no interaction with the living.
• Contacting spirits or engaging in idolatry is listed among works of the flesh, which separate individuals from God’s kingdom (Galatians 5:19–21).
• The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between humanity and God: "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). Seeking favor, protection, or guidance from deceased ancestors undermines this truth and leads to idolatry.
• Jesus, as the perfect mediator, intercedes for believers, fulfilling the role often attributed to ancestors in other belief systems (Hebrews 4:15).
• Hebrews 9:27 states, "It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment," leaving no room for ancestral spirits to impact the lives of the living.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Ancestor worship remains prevalent in many cultures, but Christians are called to remain faithful to God’s Word. Believers can lovingly engage with those who practice ancestor worship by sharing the truth that Jesus is the only mediator and offering the hope of salvation through Him. As Acts 4:12 declares, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." This truth challenges practices like ancestor worship, directing all worship and trust to God alone.

While ancestor worship is forbidden, Scripture encourages honoring our forebears through gratitude and remembrance. Leviticus 19:32 teaches respect for the elderly, and Proverbs 13:22 commends leaving a legacy for future generations. Honoring the memory of loved ones can inspire faith and gratitude to God, but attributing divine influence to ancestors is idolatrous and distracts from worshiping the one true God.

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible forbids ancestor worship, affirming only God deserves worship and Jesus is the sole mediator.
• The dead cannot influence the living, as they are in eternity with or apart from God.
• Honoring loved ones is encouraged, but seeking their guidance is idolatry.

REFLECT

• How can you honor the memory of loved ones in a way that aligns with God’s Word and glorifies Him?
• What is the danger in looking to others besides God for guidance?
• What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of God’s commands about worship and idolatry in your daily life?

ENGAGE

• How can we lovingly explain to others why ancestor worship conflicts with biblical teachings?
• What does it look like to honor past generations in ways that reflect God’s commands and point to His authority?
• How can we support one another in staying faithful to God when faced with practices that might blend unbiblical cultural traditions with worship?