Pastor John Collins, with Love That Cross Ministries says it like it is, like is should be. Worshiping a statue is worshiping an idol, but placing a decoration as a reminder of our faith is not idol worship.
“You shall not make for yourself a
carved image-any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in
the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;
you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6
you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6
Idolatry has always been a problem in this world and God knows our weaknesses. People like pretty things and they also like what they can see and touch. There is a reason why people were told not to carve images because God has always known that people would end up honoring the ‘thing’ that was created by them.
People give power to objects, even those objects that are not considered ‘holy’ but may be merely sentimental. People place value on things and when something is created that is said to be ‘holy’ then people will begin to revere it and ‘bow down’ to it. Carved images and golden objects such as Gideon’s ephod become stumbling blocks to people. It is easy to see how people are led astray by statues and such.
Paintings of our Lord or crosses that are decoration should be seen as physical reminders of our faith to God and Jesus Christ and never as something to worship and bow down to. Our homes should reflect our faith not with creepy statues of Mary but with our Bibles, possibly a cross hung on the wall, a picture of a biblical story or scripture that fills us with joy. We should not be fearful of worshiping the Lord in spirit and in truth which never includes bowing down to a portrait or sculpture or worshiping some carved image.
Believe it or not, God is protecting us from our own nature by commanding us to never make carved images in any likeness. Never place such value on any object. Worship the Lord with a pure heart and trust in that. We don’t need statues but a framed piece of scripture is lovely to look upon and ponder.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9
