The Second Commandment (No Idols)
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; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (Ex 20:4-6)
An Idol is an "image" or "likeness" that we Worship or Serve
Idol - "An image , form or representation, usually of a man or other animal, consecrated as an object of worship." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
"bow down" or "serve"
Bow down - Belief expressed as worship. (Lev 26:1)
Bowing down involves the mind, heart, and will. (Eze 14:3-5)
Serve - Allegiance expressed as support.
Serving involves time, effort, and money.
Demonic Beings Work through Idols
In themselves, inanimate idols have no awareness, life, or power. (Ps 115:4-8, Hab 2:18,19)
However, demonic beings work through all idols. (Dt 32:17, 1Co 10:19,20, Rev 9:20)
In the most deceptive forms of idolatry, Satan and his demons disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness. (2Co 11:13-15)
Materialism is a Prominent Modern Idol
Materialism is a prominent modern idol. (Mt 6:24, Rev 3:14-17, Rev 18:1-19)
Note on Mt 6:41: Mammon - "Riches; wealth; or the god of riches." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
Covetousness is idolatry. (Col 3:5)
Luxery vacations - Seeing the world vs. converting the world. (Mt 24:14, Mt 28:19,20, Ac 1:8, 2Pe 3:12)
Luxery cars (Rev 18:13)
Luxery houses (Hag 1:4-9)
Debt is a form of servitude. (Pr 22:7)
We are called to simplicity of means. (Lk 9:1-3, Lk 18:22-25, 1Ti 6:8-10)
We are called to stewardship. (Ge 28:20-22, Lev 27:30,32, Mal 3:8-10).
We are called to giving. (Pr 11:24,25, Lk 6:38, Ac 2:44,45, 2Co 9:6,7)
We are called to spiritual treasures. (Mt 6:19-21, Mt 16:26, Col 2:2,3)
In selfish materialism, there is harm.
In selfish materialism, where is love?
Pleasure is a Prominent Modern Idol
Pleasure is a prominent modern idol. (2Ti 3:1-4)
Glorification of sports - Sports stars, sports idols.
Glorification of movies - Movie stars, movie idols.
Glorification of music - Music stars, music idols.
Indulgence in illicit sex
Fornication - Sex outside of marriage. (1Co 7:2, Eph 5:3, 1Th 4:3, Rev 9:20,21)
Adultery (7th commandment) - Sex outside of marriage. (Gal 5:19-21, Heb 13:4)
Internet lewdness, lust, and self-gratification. (Ps 101:2,3, Ro 13:14, 2Co 7:1, Eph 5:12, 1Pe 2:11)
Homosexuals (1Co 6:9,10)
Sex slavery (Ex 21:16, Dt 24:7)
Child molesters (Lk 17:1,2)
Indulgence in harmful substances
Harmful foods (Lev 11:45-47, Da 1:8)
Cigarettes, alcohol, and other so-called "soft" and "hard" drugs (1Co 6:19,20)
We are called to self-control. (Ge 4:6,7, Pr 25:28, Lk 9:23, Tit 2:12)
We are called to temperance. (Gal 5:22,23, 2Pe 1:4-6)
We are called to holiness. (Lev 19:2, Eph 1:4, Eph 5:27)
We are called to purity. (Ps 51:10, Gal 5:16,24, 2Ti 2:22, 1Jn 3:2,3)
We are to have the mind of Christ. (1Co 2:16)
In hedonistic pleasure, there is harm.
In hedonistic pleasure, where is love?
False Religions are Prominent Modern Idols
False religions are prominent modern idols. (1Jn 4:1)
God is Triune - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Ge 1:26, Mt 28:19, 1Jn 5:7)
God is One. (Dt 6:4)
The Bible is God's written Word. (1Th 2:13)
Jesus is God's living Word. (Jn 1:1-3,14-17)
Jesus is the Creator, Saviour, and Lord. (Eph 3:9, Heb 1:1,2, Lk 2:11, 1Jn 4:14, Jn 13:13)
Jesus is the only Mediator between God and humans. (1Ti 2:5)
Jesus is the only Name by which humans can be saved. (Ac 4:12)
Jesus is the only Way, Truth, and Life. (Jn 14:6)
We are called to truth. (Jn 4:23,24)
We are called to Jesus. (Jn 10:27, Jn 17:3, 1Jn 5:12)
In false religions, there is harm.
In false religions, where is love?
The Evolution Deception is a Prominent Modern Idol
The evolution deception is a prominent modern idol. (1Ch 16:26, Ps 96:5)
Evolution promotes idols that are in the likeness of created things. (Ro 1:18-23,25)
God is the Creator. (Ge 1:1)
Jesus created all things. (Col 1:13-16).
Jesus created our universe in 6 literal days. (Ge 2:1-3, Ex 20:11)
We are called to worship the Creator. (Rev 14:6,7)
We are called to keep the 7th-day Sabbath (Saturday) weekly memorial of the Creator. (Ex 20:11)
In the evolution lie, there is harm.
In the evolution lie, where is love?
The Image of the Beast is a Global Modern Idol in the Making
The image of the beast is a global modern idol in the making. (Rev 13:1-8,11-15)
Those who follow the beast receive a mark in their forehead or hand. (Rev 13:16,17)
Forehead - Belief, bowing down.
Hand - Allegiance, serving.
Satan and his demons work through this global idolatrous system. (Isa 14:14, Rev 13:4 compare Rev 12:9, Rev 17:1-5, Rev 18:1-4)
We are called to expose this idol. (Eph 5:11, 2Th 2:7-12)
We are called to stand apart from this idol. (Rev 14:8-12)
In the image of the beast, there is harm.
In the image of the beast, where is love?
God is Jealous
God's jealousy is an attribute of His love. (2Co 11:2 compare Rev 14:1-4)
God desires and deserves our faithful love and is hurt and angered by our indifference and unfaithfulness. (Ex 34:14, Dt 4:24, Dt 32:16)
As a natural consequence of God's jealous, protecting love, all harmful agents will be removed during the executive judgment of the wicked. (Ps 78:58-64, Isa 14:3-12, Isa 42:13, Na 1:2, Zep 1:14-18, Zep 3:8 compare Mal 4:1, Mt 13:30, Rev 11:18)
Generational Hatred
Those who hate God are the children of the devil. (Col 3:6, 1Jn 3:7-10)
Children are not guilty of the sins of their parents. (Eze 18:20)
However, if the parents are children of the devil, their children often absorb their falsehood and wicked character, which reflects the character of Satan.
They manifest their hatred of God by disregarding, distaining, and breaking His commandments. (Ex 5:2, Isa 5:18,19)
Generational Love
Those who love God are the children of God. (Ro 8:16, Gal 3:26, Eph 5:8 compare 1Jn 1:5)
Children are not saved by the righteousness of their parents. (Eze 14:14,20)
However, if the parents are children of God, their children often absorb their truth and righteous character, which reflects the character of Jesus. (Pr 22:6)
They manifest their love of God by meditating on, cherishing, and keeping His commandments. (Ps 1:1,2, Ps 119:11)
Idolatry Defines the Battlelines of the Great War between Good and Evil
Idolatry defines the battlelines of the great war between good and evil.
One generation destroys the idols. (2Ki 18:1-6)
Another generation rebuilds the idols. (2Ki 21:1-9)
Another generation destroys the idols. (2Ki 23:3-25)
Another generation rebuilds the idols. (2Ki 23:30-37)
We are to allow no generational break. (Isa 58:12, Mal 4:5,6)
The Punishment for Disobedience is Death
The punishment for disobedience is death. (1Co 6:9,10, Gal 5:19-21, Eph 5:5, Rev 14:9-11, Rev 21:8, Rev 22:15, Ro 6:23, Jas 2:10)
As our substitute, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. (Isa 53:6, Jn 1:29, Eph 5:2, Heb 7:27, Heb 10:5-10)
The 2nd Commandment Proclaims True Love for God
The 2nd commandment proclaims true love for God.
We are not to allow anything to come between us and God. (Dt 6:5, Dt 27:15, Jos 22:5, Isa 59:1,2, Eze 14:6, Mk 12:30, Jn 17:20-23, Ac 17:29,30, 1Co 10:14, 2Co 6:16,17, 1Jn 5:21, Rev 2:1-5)
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; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.