Jj Breen Supporter Husband, Dad, Grandfather and 60 Years ODD

First off remember that Exodus 20:4 is talking to a people that worshiped 'graven images' as a habit and practice.

If one is indeed "worshiping" these items then - NO - they should not be in the home, period.

But if they are symbols of "Altars of Remembrances", then they serve a very good purpose. They REMIND us of God's Grace and Love for us.

Exodus 20:24-25 - Genesis 12: 6-7 are 2 examples.

Christmas, since that is what your post mostly points to, the Angels, the Nativity Set, the Star and such are all remembrances of the Birth of our Savior. They REMIND us of all the care God took when ".. sending His only begotten Son.."

We do not worship these items, but they remind us to Thank God, for all the care, all the love and the specific planning (prophecies) that were in play when Jesus was born.

The same question could apply to Christian's and the Wooden / Metal Cross. That too is " man made ", so should we have Crosses in and on our Churches? The Cross is the pretty straight forward sign of a Christian Church or Christians are here. 

We wear a Cross around our neck or on Shirt - Coat. They remind us of of the Death of Christ for our sins, as it should. We do not " worship " the Cross, it is an Altar of Remembrance that we carry with us. And they tell the world, We Are God's through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.

November 04 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jonel Cecilio Supporter

If we will continue to read the Word to Exodus 20:5 the Lord clearly and specifically commanded not to bow down to them or worship them for He is a jealous God. I don't think your question about Nativity Set or Angel mini-statue and other decorations will be covered by this Commandment unless otherwise you will make an altar for these items to worship day and night. That is scary. I also believe the Commandment was not for us the Gentiles but for Israelites only. Lord Jesus has given us new Commandments and they were summarized into just two according to the Gospel of John, Matthew, Mark and Luke.

November 06 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Andrew Knight Supporter

It is not ok, because it does break that commandment. It's pretty clear on that one.

November 04 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Keetra McGee Supporter

I believe that scripture refers to the making of an image as an idol for worship. We have to consider the time that we live in. The items you mention are decorations. If you are putting them out for decoration, I believe it's okay. If you started making an altar to them and praying them, that would be wrong. Pray and ask God for peace on the subject.

November 04 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Paul Bayne Supporter Business Owner, Husband and Father of Four Kids & Blogger

It all depends on your motives. The scriptures given above in Exodus and others, point first off, to the Old Covenant or the Mosaic law. The command to not form or fashion any image of any thing in heaven or on earth was meant to discourage idol worship. They would make the image and then worship it.

We have a Christmas tree, a nativity set, lights and the works in our house when we celebrate Christmas. Do we worship the stuff? A thousand times NO! 

Do you have pictures of Jesus or angels up in your house to worship them or to venerate them in some way? Then it's wrong. 

We, as Christians (as long as you are biblically saved), have the liberty to live in freedom to do as we please as long as it is glorifying to God and doesn't hinder or cause a brother to stumble. 

There is nothing wrong whatsoever in having these things up in your house to celebrate the seasons as long as they do not own you, control you or cause you to worship them in some way.

November 05 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Barbie Sullivan Supporter

It's 2026. I think it's pretty apparent that worship looks different today than it did back then. For instance, people actually got on their knees and prayed to things because their entire thought process was different. 

I have seen people get on their knees before the cross and pray, and that really hurts my spirit because that is a graven image. That being said, we do have to consider the fact that we have turned the entire ideology of Christmas into an icon and an idol. For instance, a lot of Christians put Santa Claus everywhere throughout their home. Other people are all about maximalism and having this over-decorated house, even if it costs their family everything. They become materialistic, and they do not care what it does to other people. This would come back to worship. 

A thing becomes your god when it actually becomes so important that it's put before God, and you are going out of your way to try to justify something that is already uneasy in your spirit. We know already when something is wrong, God makes it clear. He speaks very clearly to us. People like to pretend like He isn't as active by communicating with us the way that He used to be. I believe this is just wrong. I know that He does in fact communicate with us and answer these questions for us every day, but we just don't listen. It bothers me. We are supposed to find ourselves separated from the world so what we do will look strange to everyone else. 

Like, possibly no decorating during Christmas. Make a "happy birthday Christ" or create little signs with your kids and have them decorate as if it's a month long Christmas colored birthday party. That's one way to step out of worrying about graven images. What you really have to do is if anybody ever is worried about this again, pray, and if God lays it on your heart that this is a conviction, if you feel uneasy or unsure, immediately get rid of it. Doubt is a crack in the foundation of your faith. Trust in Him. He is already answering.

1 day ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

I am one of 6 cousins about the same age. Our grandmother brought us up in the summers as we stayed at her resort in the Northwoods. She indoctrinated us in The Ten Commandments, and of course, "No graven images" was one of them. (Exodus 20:4)

I felt guilty for breaking this command growing up playing varsity football in high school. I made all city and honorable mention all-state, but I had this terrific colored photo of a football player on his knees praying. (I'd just become a Christian.)

That was until one man in our small group Bible study which I led in college who objected to having Christian images in one's abode. I took it down and tossed it or I may have donated it to GoodWill. I did it so as not to make a weaker brother stumble. (Romans 14:13, 21; 1 Corinthians 8:13).

July 31 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report