A Day-by-day devotional

April 19, 2023

Idols

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Samuel 18-22

Scripture of the Day: Exodus 20:1-6

“It is just like having a picture of your loved one. You frame it, display in your house, keep in your wallet, pin it on the fridge.” That is the most common argument or explanation about the icons and statues of God, Jesus, Mary and the saints that are to be found in churches and homes of some Christian denominations. It actually makes sense. Except, that generates a problem when we consider what the bible tells us, and what the Lord our God commands.

In Exodus 20, the Ten Commandments are listed for us. One of them states that we shall not make an image to bow down to or worship. God is a jealous God. Furthermore, punishment is attached to the violation of this commandment, up to the third and fourth generation of a family lineage (Exodus 20:4-5).

You would hear it posited, however, that the icons and statues are not worshipped. They are only venerated. They serve as visual reminders pointing us to the One True God, and not just any other god, when we pray.

If that is the case, why do people kneel before, kiss, and bow down to them? Furthermore, if the icon or statue is a picture or portrayal, why is Jesus most of the time not portrayed as a Middle Easterner but a white man?

Taken that iconography is meant to aid in one’s worship, probably makes it good. Nonetheless, as worshippers, it is difficult for us to make that distinction. As human beings, we have the tendency to go beyond that. Since pagans worship idols, pray, kneel before and bow to them, how do we draw the line that we will not be doing the same?

One thing is very clear though. God does not like it. He opposes it. He commanded us not to do it. He knows most of all, our sinful tendencies since the Fall of Adam.

Oftentimes, however, as rather intelligent human beings, we reason against what is obviously a violation of something that is explicitly stated in God’s Word in order to justify our practices and beliefs. There is always room for variations in biblical interpretation. However, if it blatantly opposes what the bible clearly states, we need to be very cautious.

We keep a picture of our loved ones to remind us of them. But if they are beside us, or with us, we do not interact with the picture. We talk with the person, do things with the person, spend time with the person, and not the photograph.

God, through the Holy Spirit dwells in us. This was made possible by the death of Christ on the cross. If you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, He is always with you wherever you go. Would you then still need a picture?

Reflection: If you truly believe that God is with you wherever you go, you know that He walks with you, and talks with you. You do not see Him because He is Spirit. But He is alive. Would you then, in order to worship Him, still need an icon or statue? Why is there a need to interact with a representation when you are already with the person?

Prayer: Father, I know that you are a jealous God. You do not want me to worship anyone else apart from you. Open my eyes to see you, because even though you are Spirit which my physical eyes cannot see, you are always with me. Harden not my heart because of my intellect and tradition. Help me obey you. Amen.