Idols?

[Waiting2BwithHim]

Here are 3 Scriptures that I need to put in to ask my question..

Leviticus 19:3-5

New King James Version (NKJV)

3 ‘Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.

4 ‘Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the LORD your God.

5 ‘And if you offer a sacrifice of a peace offering to the LORD, you shall offer it of your own free will.

Leviticus 26:1-3

New King James Version (NKJV)

Leviticus 26

Promise of Blessing and Retribution

1 ‘You shall not make idols for yourselves;

neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves;

nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it;

for I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 29:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

and you saw their abominations and their idols which were among them—wood and stone and silver and gold);

As you can see that each of these 3 scriptures talks about not bowing to idols and turning to such idols of gold silver etc etc..

First I would like to know jewelry that may have a crucifix, or angel pins or rings of some sort is that to be considered idols?

Then when you go to most churches that have some sort of statue with Jesus on the cross is that to be considered idol?

What about pictures or paintings of Jesus? If we don't know what he looks like then any picture would not be him and then

are we admiring an idol?

[Fez]

I think the difference is "bowing down" to the images, including that of the cross.

Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: (with the emphasis here being on gods with a small case....)

nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; (emphasis being on worshiping the idol).

Having a picture of Jesus on the inner page of a bible (as some are printed), not that I am into that, is not a problem.

Nor is wearing a cross around your neck, or as earrings.

An idol is what you make of it, and it can be anything, depending on the influence you allow it to have on you.

[Guest shiloh357]

Here are 3 Scriptures that I need to put in to ask my question..

Leviticus 19:3-5

New King James Version (NKJV)

3 ‘Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.

4 ‘Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the LORD your God.

5 ‘And if you offer a sacrifice of a peace offering to the LORD, you shall offer it of your own free will.

Leviticus 26:1-3

New King James Version (NKJV)

Leviticus 26

Promise of Blessing and Retribution

1 ‘You shall not make idols for yourselves;

neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves;

nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it;

for I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 29:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

and you saw their abominations and their idols which were among them—wood and stone and silver and gold);

As you can see that each of these 3 scriptures talks about not bowing to idols and turning to such idols of gold silver etc etc..

First I would like to know jewelry that may have a crucifix, or angel pins or rings of some sort is that to be considered idols?

Then when you go to most churches that have some sort of statue with Jesus on the cross is that to be considered idol?

What about pictures or paintings of Jesus? If we don't know what he looks like then any picture would not be him and then

are we admiring an idol?

The prohibitions in Scripture pertain to images of animals, people and so forth that were to represent the images of their gods. They would form images of hybrid animal/human looking gods and stuff that they would bow to. That is what God had in mind.

If you have a cross around your neck or a crucifix or a picture of Jesus or whatever, that is not an idol.

[stalepie]

Anything physical that's worshipped as God is an idol.

[nebula]

Art has a different meaning to our society than it did back then.

In our Western society, "idols" tend to be concepts more than paintings and statues (by "concepts" I mean things like wealth, stardom, human intellect and reason, etc.).

The point with crosses and pics of Jesus and such - what is the intent and focus? Is it there to be a reminder, a symbol, or something similar? Or is your trust in the object itself? Does that make sense?

[Arthur Durnan]

Here are 3 Scriptures that I need to put in to ask my question..

Leviticus 19:3-5

New King James Version (NKJV)

3 ‘Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.

4 ‘Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the LORD your God.

5 ‘And if you offer a sacrifice of a peace offering to the LORD, you shall offer it of your own free will.

Leviticus 26:1-3

New King James Version (NKJV)

Leviticus 26

Promise of Blessing and Retribution

1 ‘You shall not make idols for yourselves;

neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves;

nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it;

for I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 29:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

and you saw their abominations and their idols which were among them—wood and stone and silver and gold);

As you can see that each of these 3 scriptures talks about not bowing to idols and turning to such idols of gold silver etc etc..

First I would like to know jewelry that may have a crucifix, or angel pins or rings of some sort is that to be considered idols?

Then when you go to most churches that have some sort of statue with Jesus on the cross is that to be considered idol?

What about pictures or paintings of Jesus? If we don't know what he looks like then any picture would not be him and then

are we admiring an idol?

[Arthur Durnan]

Here are 3 Scriptures that I need to put in to ask my question..

Leviticus 19:3-5

New King James Version (NKJV)

3 ‘Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.

4 ‘Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the LORD your God.

5 ‘And if you offer a sacrifice of a peace offering to the LORD, you shall offer it of your own free will.

Leviticus 26:1-3

New King James Version (NKJV)

Leviticus 26

Promise of Blessing and Retribution

1 ‘You shall not make idols for yourselves;

neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves;

nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it;

for I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 29:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

and you saw their abominations and their idols which were among them—wood and stone and silver and gold);

As you can see that each of these 3 scriptures talks about not bowing to idols and turning to such idols of gold silver etc etc..

First I would like to know jewelry that may have a crucifix, or angel pins or rings of some sort is that to be considered idols?

Then when you go to most churches that have some sort of statue with Jesus on the cross is that to be considered idol?

What about pictures or paintings of Jesus? If we don't know what he looks like then any picture would not be him and then

are we admiring an idol?

"Golden calves" come in many versions! Yes, in silver cross-necklasses, in 48" HD & 3D TVs, in families, friends, what-have-you? Even Jesus is seen on huge crosses in Roman churches, yet He's no longer on any cross - Hallelujah!

Why not accord Jesus Christ first place in all things & bow to His holy leadership in all situations? When He is in first place, all other persons & items are rendered powerless in our lives. Come,"Worship Him in spirit and in truth." AMEN!

Arthur Durnan.

[Shiloh62]

The difference is, are we worshipping the object, or what it represents?

[other one]

The difference is, are we worshipping the object, or what it represents?

Question would apply to both sides....

[Fez]

The difference is, are we worshipping the object, or what it represents?

Question would apply to both sides....

I am with Shiloh62 here. We can make anything an idol, even Worthy itself. Tell me some people don't worship at the altar of the laptop a bit to much, be it for work or pleasure?

A physical Cross is a symbol, not an idol, but if we kneel beneath it and worship it, then it is an idol. If we kneel below it and worship God it is not. (we could just as well worship Him under a tree).

If we bring our praises to the foot of the cross in our prayers, this is not an idol.

If we keep God at center, we have nothing to worry about in the idol stakes.....