Idolatry

[MoreMercy]

Exodus 20:4
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.

Deuteronomy 4:16-18
Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:

Is it inappropriate for a Christian to have images (pictures or statues) of Christ in their homes?What about statues or likenesses of created things like sculptures of frogs, fish or people or stuffed animals used as children’s toys?

Not inappropriate for me as long as long as I do not allow myself or mine to honor and love those things more than I honor and love God according to His definition of: honoring and loving Him.

(idol... idolatry)
idols are called idols for a reason.




Father bless those who look to you, but have mercy on all of us to glorify your name.

[Indueseason]

MOD NOTE: moved to BC, where the debate can continue.

[amazzin]

My point is what does God's word say about this? I am not condeming anyone. God's word can do that without me.

It's not a sore spot at all, I was only asking what your thinking was behind your answer, I didn't know that they're were only people who believe in the Crucified Christ, and I kiss a lot of things if I'm happy or grateful, kids and husband included, doesn't mean I idolise them. Now if as Toner 44 says above, the footballer kisses his cross because he thinks it's the cross that helped him score that point then it's definitely a no no but if he's kissing it because he's grateful to the Lord for his skills then what's the problem? My point is idolatry is only an issue if what's in your heart is askew. Too many of us are so quick to condem others when we don't even know what's in their hearts. The original questioner was even asking about statues of dogs and frogs in the house, so they've obviously heard some weird advice about that sort of stuff. I think if your hearts right with God then you can have as many pictures as you like, you know what and who your worshipping! Our houses would be pretty boring without visual stimuli. So my picture of Steve Mcqueen is definitely staying on the wardrobe door!
So I am not sore! I thought what this site was about was discussion. Have a happy day! I'm off to the dentist.. doubt wether I will be kissing much by the end of the day

[andrew_no_one]

The basis of the question was that there are a significant number of people calling foul to children having stuffed bears and people having sculptures of whatever in their homes. It seems a far-fetched doctrine perhaps formed by taking one paragraph very literally without examining the preceding and succeeding text.

[MoreMercy]

The basis of the question was that there are a significant number of people calling foul to children having stuffed bears and people having sculptures of whatever in their homes. It seems a far-fetched doctrine perhaps formed by taking one paragraph very literally without examining the preceding and succeeding text.

God bless you and yours, andrew_no_one.

If someone in the same house/under-the-same-roof is offended by a child's toy or any other thing in that same house, then the stuffed-bear/toy or the offended person should be taken out of that house.

But if the bear/toy is taken out of that house then it should be made very, very clear and brought to the child's remembrance often that the toy was taken out of the house to keep peace and to demonstrate love in the house toward the first person offended by the toy.

The child is now offended, but that child takes that stripe for another person by and because the child will now know and practice love toward that person who was first offended, just as Christ Jesus did take stripes for us and not for Himself.

Mat 18:6
Mat 18:7
Mat 18:9




Father bless those who look to you, but have mercy on all of us to glorify your name.

[claybevan]

If someone in the same house/under-the-same-roof is offended by a child's toy in that same house, then the stuffed-bear/toy or the offended person should be taken out of that house. But if the bear/toy is taken out of that house then it should be made very, very clear and brought to the child's remembrance often that the toy was taken out of the house to keep peace and to demonstrate love in the house toward the first person offended by the toy.

The child is now offended, but that child takes that stripe for another person by and because the child will now know and practice love toward that person who was first offended, just as Christ Jesus did take stripes for us and not for Himself.

Mat 18:6
Mat 18:7
Mat 18:9




Father bless those who look to you, but have mercy on all of us to glorify your name.

That seems ridiculous to me, if someone who is offended by a stuffed teddy bear, then it is they that should should be explained to, my house would be nearly empty if i removed everything that i thought may offend people. More helpful to try to get them to lighten up. We're not talking upside down crosses here, were talking ' cuddly furry brown things '

[MoreMercy]

That seems ridiculous to me, if someone who is offended by a stuffed teddy bear, then it is they that should should be explained to, my house would be nearly empty if i removed everything that i thought may offend people. More helpful to try to get them to lighten up. We're not talking upside down crosses here, were talking ' cuddly furry brown things '

Then there is a reason that it seems ridiculous to you.
Maybe you should take that burden to Christ Jesus, and not take it to me ?

He will be more merciful to you than I can.

[claybevan]

The basis of the question was that there are a significant number of people calling foul to children having stuffed bears and people having sculptures of whatever in their homes. It seems a far-fetched doctrine perhaps formed by taking one paragraph very literally without examining the preceding and succeeding text.

some folk just don't get the the meaning of idolatry, it's what's in the heart that's in question, not the item.

[claybevan]

Then there is a reason that it seems ridiculous to you.
Maybe you should take that burden to Christ Jesus and not to me ?

come on, I wasn't having a go at you, nor is it a burden to me, I just think that some folk get obsessed with that sort of stuff. We all know that idol worship is to do with heart not the item. Please don't be offended at what I say, I just replied with my opinion to your post, it wasn't personal!!

[claybevan]

Then there is a reason that it seems ridiculous to you.
Maybe you should take that burden to Christ Jesus, and not take it to me ?

He will be more merciful to you than I can.

I see it's only you and me on this post. So hello, sorry we got off on the wrong foot.

[MoreMercy]

come on, I wasn't having a go at you, nor is it a burden to me, I just think that some folk get obsessed with that sort of stuff. We all know that idol worship is to do with heart not the item. Please don't be offended at what I say, I just replied with my opinion to your post, it wasn't personal!!

And we are to love them folk just as much as we love the child who will be offended by folk.
I think you overlooked or turned one eye blind to a portion of what you quoted of me to draw those words from you that keeps your posture on this issue in error.

I have colored the text green and bold in the said quote that I see you overlooked to approach me with the reply to me that you did:

If someone in the same house/under-the-same-roof is offended by a child's toy or any other thing in that same house, then the stuffed-bear/toy or the offended person should be taken out of that house.

But if the bear/toy is taken out of that house then it should be made very, very clear and brought to the child's remembrance often that the toy was taken out of the house to keep peace and to demonstrate love in the house toward the first person offended by the toy.

The child is now offended, but that child takes that stripe for another person by and because the child will now know and practice love toward that person who was first offended, just as Christ Jesus did take stripes for us and not for Himself.

Mat 18:6
Mat 18:7
Mat 18:9

Father bless those who look to you, but have mercy on all of us to glorify your name.

[claybevan]

And we are to love them folk just as much as we love the child who will be offended by folk.
I think you overlooked or turned one eye blind to a portion of what you quoted of me to draw those words from you that keeps your posture on this issue in error.

I have colored the text green and bold in the said quote that I see you overlooked to approach me with the reply to me that you did:





Father bless those who look to you, but have mercy on all of us to glorify your name.

I think my friend that we just have different views on the question and that's cool.

[MaryFreeman]

I don't let just anyone into my home anymore.... Precisely because of things like this.... I know what I believe.... And I don't have any symbols of worship hanging in my house except a wooden cross my daughter painted for me a few years back.... I don't worship it.... I hang my necklaces on it ....

Your home is your safe haven.... Your own place to go when you need to step out of the world for a while.... If someone walks into your home and is offended by a teddy bear.... Gently show them to the door and bid them a good day.... Your children should be safe in their own home.... Lord knows they aren't anywhere else.... There is a lot to tolerate in this big bad world.... Why should they have to tolerate it in their own home? It is not the child who should be offended.... Never ever offend a child....

My pastor spoke once about removing a certain person from the church.... Apparently that person was trying to get the girls in the youth group to do inappropriate things with him.... And he was a grown adult! Some folks told our pastor that that wasn't walking in love....

He said it most certainly was.... It was walking in love towards those girls....

My point is that sometimes you must turn away from one person in order to walk in love toward another.... Especially if that other is a child in their own home.... The adult who was offended for some silly reason over a teddy bear can kick rocks....

[GitRDunn]

Just out of curiosity MoreMercy, if someone is offended by your Bible, do you remove that from the house as well?

[MoreMercy]

I don't let just anyone into my home anymore.... Precisely because of things like this.... I know what I believe.... And I don't have any symbols of worship hanging in my house except a wooden cross my daughter painted for me a few years back.... I don't worship it.... I hang my necklaces on it :LOL:....

Your home is your safe haven.... Your own place to go when you need to step out of the world for a while.... If someone walks into your home and is offended by a teddy bear.... Gently show them to the door and bid them a good day.... Your children should be safe in their own home.... Lord knows they aren't anywhere else.... There is a lot to tolerate in this big bad world.... Why should they have to tolerate it in their own home? It is not the child who should be offended.... Never ever offend a child....

My pastor spoke once about removing a certain person from the church.... Apparently that person was trying to get the girls in the youth group to do inappropriate things with him.... And he was a grown adult! Some folks told our pastor that that wasn't walking in love....

He said it most certainly was.... It was walking in love towards those girls....

My point is that sometimes you must turn away from one person in order to walk in love toward another.... Especially if that other is a child in their own home.... The adult who was offended for some silly reason over a teddy bear can kick rocks....

God bless you and your house more and more.