In many parts of the world, especially a lot here in Latin America, there is a deeply rooted tradition of exalting Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus. This veneration, often involving statues, rosaries, processions, and repeated prayers, is a central part of Roman Catholic practice. But as Bible believing Christians Evangelical Protestants who stand firmly on the Word of God, we must ask: Is this biblical? The answer is clear: No.
Letâs say it plainly... Mary was a godly woman, chosen to give birth to the Messiah, and we respect her role. But that's where it ends. Anything beyond that, calling her a mediator, Queen of Heaven, Immaculately Conceived, or co-redeemer is false doctrine and a form of idolatry that directly contradicts Scripture.
1. Jesus Himself Refused to Elevate Mary Above Others
Mark 3:33â35 â âWho are My mother and My brothers?â Then He looked around at those seated in a circle around Him and said, âHere are My mother and My brothers! Whoever does Godâs will is My brother and sister and mother.â
Jesus had the perfect opportunity to endorse Mary as someone special, above others, but He didnât. Instead, He shifted the attention to obedience to Godâs Word. He wasnât being disrespectful, he was being clear: no earthly relationship compares to doing the will of the Father. That includes Mary.
2. Jesus Corrected the Crowd Who Tried to Exalt Mary
Luke 11:27â28 â âAs Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, âBlessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.â He replied, âBlessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.ââ
Did you catch that? A woman praised Mary publicly, but Jesus redirected the blessing to those who obey God. He didnât deny that Mary was blessed (she was!), but He emphasized that spiritual obedience matters far more than biological connection or motherhood.
3. Mary Was a Sinner in Need of a Savior
Luke 1:46â47 â âMy soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.â
Mary herself admitted her need for a Savior. Why would a perfect, sinless being need a Savior? She wouldnât. But Mary did, because she was human and sinful like the rest of us (Romans 3:23). Sheâs not divine. Sheâs not to be worshiped. Sheâs not to be prayed to.
4. The Bible Gives Zero Support to Praying to Mary
Nowhere, absolutely nowhere, do we see a single verse that instructs us to pray to Mary, ask for her intercession, or venerate her. In fact, the opposite is true:
1 Timothy 2:5 â âFor there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.â
One mediator. Not two. Not Mary. Not saints. Not angels. Just Jesus.
When Catholics pray to Mary, they are replacing Jesus in the role that Scripture says belongs to Him alone. Thatâs not just bad doctrine. Thatâs dangerous idolatry.
5. Repetitive Prayer and the Rosary Are Condemned by Jesus
Matthew 6:7 â âAnd when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.â
This directly confronts the rosary, a repetitive prayer ritual heavily focused on Mary. Jesus didnât just suggest against itâHe warned us. Repetitive prayers and rituals are not acts of true faith, but empty traditions.
6. Catholic Teachings on Mary Are Pagan and Extra-Biblical
The Immaculate Conception, the Assumption of Mary, the Queen of Heaven title, none of these come from Scripture. They are MAN MADE DOCTRINES, later developed by the Roman Catholic Church and heavily influenced by pagan goddess worship. It is a syncretic religion, blending Christianity with idolatry.
Even the idea of Mary being taken bodily into heaven (The Assumption) is not found anywhere in Scripture. Itâs tradition. Itâs mythology. Itâs false teaching.
Galatians 1:8 â âBut even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under Godâs curse!â
That includes a Marian gospel. Itâs another gospel. It is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
7. Mary Is Not a Redeemer or Co-Mediator
Letâs be crystal clear:
Mary is not part of the Trinity.
Mary did not die for your sins.
Mary did not rise from the dead.
Mary is not your advocate in heaven.
Only Jesus is your Savior. To put Mary anywhere near that role is to diminish the cross, to undermine the blood of Jesus, and to offend the Gospel.
John 14:6 â âI am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.â
Again⊠where is Mary in that verse? Sheâs not there.
8. What Happens in Latin America is Open Idolatry
In Latin America, Catholicism has become a cultural religion more than a biblical faith. Statues of Mary are paraded through the streets everywhere, in parks, it's injected everywhere without people having any idea this is idolatry. Children are taught to recite Ave Maria. Schools and cathedrals elevate Mary more than Jesus.
Again I say, this is idolatry. This is not honoring Jesus. This is not Christian. It is a deception straight from hell, replacing the true Gospel with a counterfeit.
Exodus 20:4â5 â âYou shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything⊠You shall not bow down to them or worship them.â
Yet people kneel before statues of Mary and light candles to her image. Thatâs textbook idolatry.
Conclusion: We Must Worship Jesus Alone
Mary was a faithful servant. She bore the Messiah. We honor her memory for that. But we do not worship her. We do not pray to her. We do not treat her as divine.
We must return to the pure Gospelâthat Christ alone is Lord, Redeemer, Savior, and Mediator. Anything else is a man-made religion that leads people away from salvation and into darkness.
Acts 4:12 â âSalvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.â
That name is not Mary.
It is Jesus Christâand Jesus Christ alone.
Stop the veneration. Return to Scripture. Exalt the Savior. Reject the idolatry.
Let us boldly stand on the Word of God and proclaim: Soli Deo GloriaâGlory to God alone.