{"id":50605,"date":"2018-06-27T22:32:24","date_gmt":"2018-06-27T19:32:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=50605"},"modified":"2025-06-16T22:37:23","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T19:37:23","slug":"is-it-wrong-to-hang-a-picture-of-jesus-in-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2018\/06\/27\/is-it-wrong-to-hang-a-picture-of-jesus-in-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it Wrong to Hang a Picture of Jesus in Your Home?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Question:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Exodus 20:4<\/strong>, it says:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou shall not make for yourself a carved image\u2014any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Does this mean that putting up a picture of Jesus at home is a sin?<\/p>\n

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Answer:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To get the full picture, we must read the verse in its full context. Let’s look at Exodus 20:4\u20135<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou shall not make for yourself a carved image\u2014any likeness of anything… You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…\u201d<\/em> (Exodus 20:4\u20135)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The commandment is not a blanket ban<\/strong> on images or artwork. Rather, it prohibits creating or using images in acts of worship<\/strong>, as idols.<\/p>\n

In the Old Testament, God strongly opposed idolatry<\/strong>\u2014the worship of created things instead of the Creator (Romans 1:22\u201323). The second commandment warns us not to make images for the purpose of worship<\/strong>, which was a common practice among pagan nations.<\/p>\n

“Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man…”<\/em>
\n(Romans 1:22\u201323)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, the sin is not in having<\/strong> an image, but in bowing to it, serving it, or attributing spiritual power to it<\/strong>. God alone is to be worshipped (Matthew 4:10).<\/p>\n

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What About a Picture of Jesus?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If a picture of Jesus is used merely as decoration<\/strong>, or as a reminder of His life or teachings<\/strong>, and you do not worship it, there is no biblical command against that<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

However, using such an image as a focus of prayer<\/strong>, or believing it holds spiritual power or presence<\/strong>, crosses into idolatry<\/strong>, which Scripture condemns.<\/p>\n

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”<\/em>
\n(1 John 5:21)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.”<\/em>
\n(1 Corinthians 10:14\u201315)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Practical Application:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you have a picture of Jesus in your home:<\/p>\n