The Second Commandment

Vatican Nativity Scene

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me." 

Exodus 20.3-4 

The second commandment includes making or using any religious icons, images, sculptures made of clay, stone, wood, metal, or other materials. Simply put, God strictly forbids it. The same prohibition is repeated in Deuteronomy 4.15-18. Scripture calls these images idols, and those who use them are called idolaters.  Yes, even in the New Testament! How serious is this matter? According to 1 Corinthians 5.11 no idolater should be admitted to a church, and according to Ephesians 5.5 no idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

    Strangely, as we look at the world around us, it is as if God had never spoken! For example, Catholics around the world believe that this commandment doesn't apply to their images (Christ, the Virgin Mary, the saints, the crucifix, nativity scenes), but only to pagan images.

     However, the plain truth is, there are no Christian images, since God forbids them. We repeat, this prohibition of idolatry isn't limited to the Old Testament. But for many religious people it's a tradition that they mistakenly associate with Christianity. They've seen it practiced all their lives, and find it hard to believe that it is wrong. The result is, they religiously practice something that God forbids and calls idolatry.
    Some argue that these are harmless customs of their culture. Others complain and say that they do not worship them, but venerate them, and that they help them to remember and show devotion. But they must ask themselves: what does God say about this? Apparently, many don't bother to consider this. The Biblical answer is clear and simple: “You shall not make for yourself an image or any likeness” (Exodus 20.4). What part of that is difficult to understand? God forbids any use of religious images.

   But, undaunted, many people make and use such images (idols). They place them in squares, temples, and chapels, in their homes and cars, carry them in processions (especially during Holy Week), kneel before them, and revere them. They wear a cross around their neck supposing it to be a Christian symbol. The widely popular Christmas nativity scenes are, in fact, images that God forbids in the second commandment. If a tradition, however sincerely followed, breaks God's commandments, it is a sinful. Some question how it can be wrong when so many sincerely practice it. The question is not who else does it, but what does God say.

    If you look carefully in the New Testament, you'll find that the only ones who used images were the pagans, for example, those in Ephesus, Athens, and Corinth. The apostles consistently denounced all use of images as idolatry and vanity. Their use was never allowed in any Christian church. Consider what the apostle Paul publicly announced in Athens about images: 

"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things...  we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17.24-25, 29-30). 

 

    According to the above Scripture, what should they repent of, if not the use of images? God cannot be represented by them, nor by any work of art, says the apostle. Therefore, those who have and use images are not apostolic Christians. They're actually more like the pagans found in Scripture. 

    How serious is the matter? Some today consider "Christian images" to be inoffensive, and a matter of personal conviction. However, in the Epistle to the Galatians, the sin of idolatry is listed the same verses as fornication, adultery, witchcraft and murder (Galatians 5.19-21). The apostolic warning is clear, "they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (v. 21).

    Dear reader, if you use any such images, you ought recognize and repent of your sin of idolatry. Don't be a loyal defender of your traditions that violate God's Law. Do you now or have you ever used an image for any religious purpose, such as worship or veneration, or as an accessory or aid to memory? Have you ever knelt or bowed before a figure, prayed to it, or kissed it? Have you ever served as a bearer to carry an image in a procession? Do you wear a crucifix? Do you have any images or figures, pictures in your home or workplace, or a “Sacred Heart” on your door? Do you set up a "Nativity Scene" at Christmas? Those who pratice any such things are guilty of idolatry. No matter how sincere they are, it's still sin.
       It's likely the main sin of many religious people. They find it difficult to recognize because they do it sincerly from the heart and it is a deeply rooted tradition for them. If you have done or do any of these things, then you have not kept the Commandments, but are guilty of idolatry.