No Graven Images, No Blasphemy: Interacting With God
In Session 2, we will look at the next two commandments: You shall not create any graven images and you shall not take the name of God in vain.
We will see that:
We are not to create and/or worship any images of God.
We are not to take the name of God in vain.
Part 1
No Images of God
Key Points from Part 1
The second commandment forbids the creation and/or worship of any images of God.
Wayne Grudem: “This commandment prohibits worshiping the one true God in a way that makes us think of Him as having a physical form like something in His creation. To think of God’s very being as having a physical form is to diminish Him, to dishonor Him, to ignore the immense differences between the Creator and the creature.”
We do not have a license to worship God however we want.
Because God exists outside of creation, we are not to erect any symbol or image of Him that serves as an object of worship because it diminishes His glory.
Worshiping God doesn’t involve creating an image of Him, either in the world or in our minds, it involves filling our minds with reminders of His goodness, love, mercy, and grace toward us.
Review Questions
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Creating and/or worshiping any images of God.
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God is the one who determines how we ought to worship Him. Our job is to respond in obedience.
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Never. The Father and the Spirit are invisible - and we are not to try to conceptualize them as visible creatures through any medium. This is an offense against His holiness.
Key Points from Part 2
We must treat God’s name with reverence.
Wayne Grudem: “The ‘name’ of God refers not only to His name (such as ‘God’ or ‘the Lord’) in a narrow sense, but also to everything that is said about God in terms of His character or reputation.”
This includes flippantly saying His name, using His name as a curse word, using His name in a disrespectful joke, or attributing anything to God that did not come from Him.
The 10 commandments show us not only specific commands, but also general principles for life.
We must not take God’s name in vain.
We must not use our words to curse others.
We must not indulge in unclean or profane language.
We must not use perverted words to get laughs from others.
Review Questions
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Taking God’s name in vain, meaning, lifting His name up to that which is worthless, empty, or vain - using His name with reverence and respect.
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No. If God did not say it in His Word, it is best not to put His name on it.
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We must use all of our speech to bring honor and glory to God.
Questions for Further Discussion
In 1-2 sentences, describe the meaning of the second commandment. Do the same for the third.
What are some of the ways you have broken the second commandment in your own life?
Is it ever okay to construct mental images of God the Father or God the Spirit in your mind in prayer or worship? Why or why not?
What are some of the ways you have broken the third commandment in your own life?
Why is it dangerous to attribute something to God that He has not revealed in His Word?