GRAVEN IMAGES ARE NOT ALWAYS STATUES

Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…

When graven images are mentioned, people usually think of statues or monuments. In the Bible days, many kings or ruler created images of themselves so people could worship it. In other instances, animals, birds or other creatures were created out of stone, gold or other materials to glorify, instead of God. Today, if you ask people do they worship graven images, many would say no.

Graven images are objects that people worship as a god. These items may replace the true God.  An object is anything you can see and touch. Worship means to have an excessive admiration or respect. Idolatry is when a physical object is adored.

Listed below are 10 objects, people worship:

1. Money. Everyone needs money to live life. Bills must be paid. Clothing, food and other items must be purchased. If you find yourself committing wrongful acts to ascertain money, or when you destroy others to obtain more money. When you truly believe you don’t need God if you have money, that is idolatry. If you believe money is the key to happiness, read the tabloids and discover the numerous wealthy, well known people who committed suicide. They had money and apparently it did not bring them total happiness. The money god is deceiving.
2. Cell phone. Samsung, iPhone, Moto are only are few of models of our cherished cell phones. Some people cannot walk from one room to another, without their phones. People spend multiple hours a day texting, scanning the net, reading and publishing on social media. Pictures must be taken of self, food or any event that occurred. Today, individuals are lost without their phones, thinking they will miss something or others will not be able to contact them. When did everyone become so important and need to know everything the minute it happens. This is the making of the cell phone god.
3. Televisions. Nowadays, every room must have a television set. And, for many, a 60 inches is the lowest size one would desire. The electronic device must be a Smart TV, with 3D and other built in gadgets, bells and whistles. Just like the cell phone, people spend hours and hours in front of a TV, often, neglecting the duties that should be accomplished. Hello TV god.
4. Video Games. I searched online and discovered Americans will spend 25.3 billion, or more, on video games this year. Nintendo, X Box or Play Station are only a few names residing in the video world. There is nothing wrong with playing a game to relax or enjoy. However, when your time playing the game outweighs your responsibilities, this may be your video god.
5. Homes. Homes decorated as showpieces. Dwellings resembling an HGTV million dollar home commercial. These homes are not for real living, they are masterpieces to elicit bragging rights for those who own them and to obtain praise from the ones who set their eyes upon them. Welcome to the home god channel.
6. Cars. Aston Martins, Porsches, Jaguars are cars that are worshipped. Spies, undercover agents, actors, athletics sport lavish cars. The less fortunate one’s theory is, if one cannot be the rich and famous, at least one can drive the same type of car. There are individuals who own luxury cars and cannot afford the maintenance on the car or the ability to pay their rent or mortgage. It is sad enough to make a car an idol, but it is more sad to worship a god you cannot afford. Don’t get it twisted, less expensive cars like Chevrolets, Volkswagens, and Fords can become idols, too.
7. Clothes. It appears that people do not necessarily worship the clothing, but they truly worship the Labels and the Designers. Some are obsessed with wearing only the fashions for that particular season and refuses to wear clothes from the previous years. One cannot idolize last year’s fashion. The god and goddess of clothes have entered the hearts of many.
8. Shoes. It used to be a time only women worshipped shoes, now men are just as obsessive. Shrines are created to apply adequate worship to the shoe god. In the beginning, walk in closets were for clothes, not there are separate closets for shoes. The shoe god has been created.
9. Jewelry. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, so the saying states. Gold, Silver and Platinum are precious metals. To own any of these gems are a blessing. Society is pushing for jewelry to be gods, especially the coveted engagement ring. Once, I read the suggested price for an engagement ring should be 6 months of your yearly salary. Now, you must sacrifice, beg, borrow and steal to save for this important ring or to make the payments on the ring. That is an expensive god to save for.
10. Food. Some television channels are designed exclusively for food. American spends billions of dollars on food. It can be groceries, fast food or restaurants. Food becomes the god, when used inappropriately. If you turn to food when you are sad, worried, bored, afraid, depressed, angry, glad, happy or lonely to fill a longing or void, food is your god. People depend on food to comfort, console or calm them, rather than God. And, one of the ramification, of excessive bowing down to the food god, is obesity.

Graven images are not just statues and monuments. Only 10 items are listed above and there are many more out there. Ask yourself what objects are you spending more time with rather than God?