Knowing Idols

Filiolo, custodite vos a simulacris. Qui verum Deum cognovistis, in quo vitam habetis aeternam, custodite vos a doctinis haereticorum, quae perpetuam ducunt ad mortem, quia, more illorum qui simulacara pro Deo faciunt, gloriam incorruptibilis Dei pravis dogmatibus in similitudinem corruptibilium rerum immutant. Custodite vos philargyria, quae est simulacrorum servitus. Observate, ne quas mundi illecebras Conditoris amori praeponatis. Nam et hoc inter simulacra reputabitur, quatenus solius veritatis curam studiumque habentes, in hujus visione mereamini sine fine laetari. Mundus enim transit, et concupiscentia ejus. Qui autem fecerit voluntatem Domini, manet in aeternum. Sanctus Beda, In I Epistolam Sancti Joannis Source: Migne PL 93 120c

Children, guard yourself from idols. 1   You who know the true God, in which you have eternal life, guard yourself from the teachings of heretics, which lead to eternal death, because in their own way their make idols in opposition to God, changing the incorruptible glory of God into a idol of corruptible things by their depraved teachings. Guard yourselves from the love of money, which is slavery to idols. Be watchful, lest you prefer some snare of the world to the love of God. For even this is reckoned among idols, just as much as having care and desire for the truth alone in His sight we merit endless joy. 'The world passes away, and the desire of it, but he who does the will of God remains in eternity.' 2 Saint Bede, from the Commentary On The First Letter of Saint John 1 1 Jn 5.21 2 1 Jn 2.17