I Will Not Worship Idols

An idol is anything made to resemble something whether it’s an angel from heaven, a human being, an animal, or even a plant. The moment someone creates an object in the likeness of any of these, they’ve already made an idol.

Now, it’s not a sin to make a statue or sculpture as long as it’s not intended for worship. For instance, statues in museums are there for educational or commemorative purposes. Likewise, animal statues like those of elephants, fish, gazelles, or even people placed in museums or public places for decoration or as national symbols, are not sinful.

The real issue begins when these objects are made or used for worship. When people begin to believe that a statue like that of an elephant possesses divine power and deserves reverence, or when a statue of a national hero is believed to carry a divine presence, or when a statue of a saint is treated as if the saint themselves lives in it and should therefore be honored, bowed to, or prayed to that is where the problem lies.

This kind of behavior is what the Bible calls idol worship. Originally practiced by pagans, Satan has brought these practices into the Church, and many people have become spiritually blind unable to recognize that they are, in fact, worshiping idols.

For example, someone might see a statue of a biblical figure maybe Peter, Paul, or even Hannah and treat it as if that person is literally present within the statue. It is given honor and reverence as if Peter or Paul himself is standing there. People are afraid to even step on or mishandle the statue, believing it’s sacred.

You might also see a statue of Jesus, and someone hesitates to look at it directly, fearing that it’s actually Jesus staring back at them. This leads them to approach it with reverence, humility, and even worship eventually bowing before it or seeking blessings from it.

This is detestable in God’s sight. That’s why God commanded us not to make any image if it’s going to lead us into worshiping it or serving it. Doing so stirs up God’s jealousy, because instead of setting your heart and mind on heaven, where God truly is, your focus is placed on an object in front of you a man-made image.

Some people even go as far as creating special prayers to be said in front of these statues using them as tools or bridges to connect with God.

Exodus 20:4–6 (NIV)
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”

God desires that we worship Him in spirit and in truth not through statues or images.

John 4:20–24 (NKJV)
“Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.
You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Did you catch that? God is not worshiped through a certain statue, or in a particular place, or through a specific person or angel. He is worshiped in spirit and truth.

If God wanted us to worship Him by seeing Him, He would have revealed His face to the whole world. His image would be known everywhere printed on currency, hanging on walls, or made into figurines that people could bow down to. But He didn’t allow that. He wants us to believe in Him without seeing Him and that kind of faith is precious to Him.

We don’t see Him, but we believe He exists. That faith believing without seeing is what He values, and it’s how He wants us to worship Him.

If you have a picture or image of Jesus or a saint, it should only serve as a visual aid not as an object of worship, and not something that stirs deep emotional or spiritual attachment as though it were the real person.

God wants us to view religious images the same way we’d view statues of animals in a museum. No one looks at a statue of an elephant and runs away in fear. No one tries to milk a cow statue. And no one looks at a lion statue and trembles.

So why should we try to “draw blessings” from a statue of Mary or of Jesus Himself that we’ve created?

Satan knows this truth. That’s why he hides behind these images so that, unknowingly, people end up worshiping him. If you engage in such idol-related practices, understand this: you are not worshiping God you’re worshiping Satan.

2 Corinthians 6:16–18 (NKJV)
“And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
‘I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.’
Therefore,
‘Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.
I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.’”