You shall not make for yourself a sculptured image, or any likeness of what is in the heavens above, or on the earth below, or in the waters under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them. For I the LORD your God am an impassioned God, visiting the guilt of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generations of those who reject Me, but showing kindness to the thousandth generation of those who love Me and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:4-6 (Torah)
For your own sake, therefore, be most careful—since you saw no shape when the LORD your God spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire—not to act wickedly and make for yourselves a sculptured image in any likeness whatever: the form of a man or a woman, the form of any beast on earth, the form of any winged bird that flies in the sky, the form of anything that creeps on the ground, the form of any fish that is in the waters below the earth.
Deuteronomy 4:15-18 (Torah)
Oh, cease to glorify man, who has only a breath in his nostrils! For by what does he merit esteem?
Isaiah 2:22 (Tanakh)
For centuries, people have been guilty of creating graven images, as a representation of their faith. During the Dark/Middle Ages this form of worship increased dramatically within the Christian faith, when the Catholics began competing with the Protestants during the Reformation. Today, some people use the image of the crucifix as an ornament around their neck or on the wall. The Lord has shown me that this offends him, because every time he sees one, he’s reminded of the most difficult time in his life he has ever endured. And―it is a graven image.
An expression of faith or adoration is false,
If you are not walking in obedience to the Word of God.
Whether you wear an emblem or a sign representing your Jewish, Christian, or Islamic faith; if you wear it on your person, your vehicle, in your office, or your home and you do not obey the Word of God―this is offensive. If you treat the people you meet in a demeaning manner, if you cheat, steal, lie, or gossip, or break any other law; you are desecrating the character of the Lord, and misrepresenting his teachings. Imagine how a waitress may feel after she has watched you kiss a mezuzah, and then you treat her in a demeaning manner. Try to imagine how someone would feel if you cut them off in the street or almost ran them over, and they notice your bumper sticker says, “The Lord is my Co-Pilot” or “My boss is a carpenter’s son.” Try to imagine how someone else might feel if they were trying to communicate with you on the internet, and during the course of your conversation you profess to be a person of integrity and believe in God, and the next moment your words are mean spirited or obscene. How would you feel and what would you think? Now, try to imagine how the Lord feels, every time you behave in an unlawful and immoral manner. It is not unlawful to wear a simple (non-idolatrous) emblem of your faith around your neck; however, if you do, try to remember that you have chosen to act as an ambassador for the Lord. Take the time to think about what you are doing and how your behavior reflects upon him.
Several years ago, a multitude of people protested, when the Taliban destroyed an ancient Buddhist monument in Afghanistan. It was argued that because it was a historical monument, they should have left it alone. Actually, the Taliban did what was right. If all of us truly feared the Lord and possessed any wisdom; we would search throughout our homes, our cities, and our nations and destroy all of the graven images we have created.
Throughout the ages, the Lord has expelled many previous nations, because they worshipped gods other than him. They built temples for their gods, and prepared meals for them, which the priest of the community usually consumed. In some places, the citizens themselves prepared banquets, and ate in the presence of their gods. Do you think that we look any less foolish than they did; when we are sitting in front of a television, mesmerized by its image, while we are eating? If we possessed wisdom, we would remove the television from our homes. The television has become one of the greatest sources of idolatry, and without it; we would become healthier, more intelligent, and have more productive lives. If we would forsake the television, we would also see an improvement in our relationships with one another.
A long time ago, men began worshipping idols. Through witchcraft, some people were able to use idols, in order to see into the future. Some of the idols even had the ability to speak. *The abomination in the image of the Anti-Christ will also have the ability to speak. When the final three and a half years of the tribulation begins, a false prophet will raise an image of the Anti-Christ in Jerusalem, on the Holy Temple Mount, and they will use the television and the internet to serve their purpose. In dreams and visions, I have seen a multitude of people bowing down to his image, in front of their television. The more we isolate ourselves from the ways of this world, the stronger we will become spiritually, and the easier it will be to resist evil.
Please review Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation 13:11-18.
In the Word of God it is written:
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot touch, feet, but cannot walk; they can make no sound in their throats. Those who fashion them, all who trust in them, shall become like them.
Psalms 115:4-8 (Tanakh)
There are a vast multitude of people involved in the model and entertainment industries that have altered their appearance, so that they now look like the dolls, we use to play with as children. Some of the people who idolize them have altered their appearance as well, in order to resemble the images of those whom they adore. It is a tragedy that so many people have died; trying to live up to the unrealistic expectations this industry has created. In the Word of God we have been taught to rise when an elderly person enters our presence. The Word of God also mentions that the young man’s strength is his glory; however, the old man’s glory is his hoary head (gray hair). There was a time when growing up and becoming old, having gray hair, and achieving wisdom was honored. Now, it appears to be shameful to grow up, and the elderly are forsaken. There was a time when a woman grew up, she was considered beautiful when she had children, and gained weight. Now women are expected to continue looking like little girls. The cosmetic, personal care, and medical industry are making a fortune by selling us superficial products that are supposed to be the ticket to the fountain of youth and ultimate beauty. (According to their interpretation of what they believe beauty ought to be.)
It is wrong to follow tabloid television, news, or magazines that gossip about those whom you idolize and adore. A lot of people make a substantial profit off of the afflictions of
others in the television, radio, news, and magazine industries. They focus on the misfortunes or faults of humanity. But if their dirty laundry was exposed, they would be shame faced. Whether you are one who gossips or one who listens to gossip, you are committing a sin, and you are both destroying the reputation of a fellow human being.
For a long time now, it has been a popular practice to collect paraphernalia of famous personalities, whether they may live or have died. Although we ought to have respect for the dead; when we continue to lift up their memory in an idolatrous manner, we are sinning against the Lord. Please do not lift them up and worship them. Please do not collect baseball cards, autographs, pictures, or anything else that may be associated with them; they are not worth your lives! Evil begets evil. Avoid the snare of the marketing industry, which creates images of the characters in the entertainment field that encourage idolatry at an early age. As parents, we are responsible for raising our children in a godly manner. Break the chain of evil and remove it from your home. It is better to disappoint and hurt our children temporarily than that we should all be punished for eternity. There are several movies, cartoons, toys, games, and books that have been created for children that make light of sorcery, witchcraft, and other demonic characters; please do not invest in this kind of entertainment. If you already have any paraphernalia associated with these in your home, please, remove it. This is more harmful to your family than you realize. Avoid purchasing mindless products for your children. Purchase educational, uplifting books, games, and toys that will teach your children how to live in a God fearing, responsible society.
Images, portraits, and statues of the Lord; spiritual leaders, teachers, saints and martyrs; angels, demons, and alien beings are forms of idolatry.
Images, portraits, and statues of people whom you do not know personally, are forms of idolatry. Even images of those whom you do know are considered a form of idolatry.
The ideals and images of Santa (Satan) Claus, the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy are forms of idolatry, and what may seem harmless to you, is actually offensive to the Lord.
Astrology, mysticism, and numerology are forms of idolatry.
Kissing a stone for the forgiveness of your sins is a form of idolatry.
Any object, sign, or emblem which is used in order to ward off evil or to bring good luck is considered a fetish, and a fetish is a form of idolatry.
If you have decorated a room with a specific motif, for example: If you have used dragons, farm animals, animals of the sea, or any other animal species; this is a form of idolatry.
If you would like to decorate your home and most of us do; then please consider using plants, flowers, or silk flowers which will not die. Use pretty candles and pleasant incense. Use rugs and throw blankets. Pictures of architecture, motor vehicles (as long as they do not contain images of that which is unlawful), landscapes, nature, and vegetation are acceptable and they are not a form of idolatry.
If you wish to walk according to the Mosaic Laws and please the Lord; then please take the time to examine your home, and remove the objects which are considered offensive and unlawful, according to the Word of God.
