Expert: Dean Gade - 4/13/2007

Question
Please help me find a verse that I cannot locate despite hours/days of searching. To paraphraze, "Don't insult or offend a person who worships another god."
I think it was an OT verse. This is a gem of a verse because of the clash between Muslim and Christian people.

Answer
I have studied the Bible intensely for well over half a century and have never seen a passage which would say anything like this.

IF YOU CAN REMEMBER ANY OTHER WORDS WHICH MIGHT LEAD ME TO FIND SUCH A PASSAGE ON MY VARIOUS CONCORDANCES, PLEASE SEND THEM TO ME AND I WILL TRY AGAIN TO FIND IT.
I take it that you are looking for a passage which in essence says, "Don't bother those with another god".

God is the creator of all people and His message is that no one should worship, pray or depend on any of the gods which people create to compete with Him.

There are many, many instances where God says this.  Here are just a few:

Ex 12:12

12 "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn--both men and animals--and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
 
Ex 23:13

13 "Be careful to do everything I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips.


Ex 23:31-33
32 Do not make a covenant with them or with their gods. 33 Do not let them live in your land, or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you."


Deut 7:3-6
Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, 4 for they will turn your sons away from following me to serve other gods, and the LORD's anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you. 5 This is what you are to do to them: Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles and burn their idols in the fire.


Jer 10:11-12

11 "Tell them this: 'These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.'"   

12 But God made the earth by his power;
he founded the world by his wisdom
and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.

Ps 96:5-7
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
(all above from New International Version)