Man is always trying to
justify his own actions by attempting to
re-define Bible words and meanings. Man would define a Graven
Image or "idol" as something that man would physically "bow down" to.
Yahuweh, on the other hand, is very specific about His
definition:
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: (Exodus 20:4)
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: (Deuteronomy 4:16-18)
Notice that Yahuweh's definition of a graven image
in the
above
verses is not "dependent" on what a man does, or does
not do, with that object. In the above Scripture
passages, Yahuweh makes no
distinction between an object that
is worshipped,
and one that is
not worshipped. These are
simply Graven Images by Yahuweh's definition.
Yahuweh's definition is simply based on a clear explanation
of being
"an
image or likeness" of a living creature, as given in general in the
Exodus verse,
and in greater detail in Deuteronomy, as we see above. The
term "likeness" narrows it down to a 3-dimensional object, since a
2-dimensional object bears no likeness to a 3-dimensional object.
Examples of these objects today are abundant, and can be in
the form of
"art" objects or figurines in the likeness of people, animals,
or angels. They can likewise take the form of stuffed animals
and other
toys; and also brass eagles, birds, fish, and other animals as found in
offices; and ceramic sun and moon objects, carved and cast statues,
statuettes, and many others. We will look at what Scripture
reveals about the great danger to our wellbeing, as a result
of having these items.
Why Do Objects Attract?
Visible, physical objects often appeal to the senses, delight the
flesh, and have great attraction to man's soulish realm.
However, we need
to be cautious, and realize that such objects can carry with
them unseen spiritual realities that can actually bring a curse to the
one who has the object in his home or office. Notice
what Yahuweh warns us about:
Neither shalt thou bring an
abomination into thine house, lest thou
be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it,
and thou
shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.
(Deuteronomy 7:26)
It is clear throughout Scripture that graven images and idols
were
among the many forms of "abominations" that were off-limits to
Yahuweh's
people. We see in the above passage that if an abomination
were to be brought into our place of habitation, whether home or
office, it will put the
same curse upon
us, that that object is under.
We have been clearly warned. These are not simply
figurines, art objects, or "toys," as the world sees them.
In the spiritual realm, these objects are abominations, and
are the equivalent of spiritual "dog dung." They not
only "stink," but they attract spiritual "flies" or demons, and the
curses
that go along with the demons. Do we want our homes full of
these demons? It is these demons that can cause uncurable
sicknesses, and all types of "troubles" in the home, which take the
form of curses.
Bible-Believing families should be shocked to learn these
things that
their Pastors and Leaders never told them, but that affect our lives so
greatly. We should check our homes for any objects that fit
the Scriptural definitions, and we ought to destroy them, or burn them,
or throw them out immediately!
"Housecleaning" is what we call getting rid of anything in
our homes
that may cause demonic problems. We must look throughout our
homes, and pray diligently, seeking Yahuweh's guidance about
any items that
need to be destroyed — items that are graven images by
the Bible
definition, and are idols or abominations in Yahuweh's
eyes. This covers all statues, figurines, dolls, stuffed
animals, and the like. There comes a great freedom
and healing in
all areas of our home — in the health of our
bodies, in our
emotional wellbeing, and in the peace in our home — when
we begin to
be obedient to this Second Commandment.
The Second Commandment says to NOT MAKE or ACQUIRE any graven
image. Yahuweh knew if we were to make them, we
would
become attached to them, and that is a form of worshipping
them. Besides, having something in our home
that Yahuweh has told us NOT TO MAKE or ACQUIRE is
disobedience. Yahuweh knows that graven images lead
to
idolatry. Having these things in our homes give the demons a
"legal
right" to enter our homes, and to remain, until we repent of
all disobedience! This is the source of much sorrow today in
homes and families of otherwise faithful Believers. They are
simply ignorant of the importance of obedience!
In Romans 1:25, the Scripture points out that there are MANY
who change
the truth of Yahuweh into a LIE, and by doing so they worship
and serve a creature more than the Creator. Think about
it. If Yahushua came to your door and said, "Get rid of your
carved images," could you readily discard them and trash
them? Would you hesitate, aching over the value and sentiment that they
represented and held to you?
The Family Toybox
The Holy Spirit has revealed a tactic of the enemy against our
children. This attack is presented in the form of dolls, stuffed animal
toys, and figures of toy soldiers, heroes, monsters,
and objects imitating other "life forms," whether real or
imaginary. These are graven images by Yahuweh's definition!
As parents, we desire the obedience of our
children. So it is
with Yahuweh. He desires the trusting obedience of
His children. Are you one of His children? He has
told you very simply, "to obey is better." (1 Sam.15:22) Those who love their heavenly Father, are those
who will obey Him.
What Are Dolls?
Most parents like to give their daughters "dolls" to play with.
But what are dolls? Have we ever looked at the
history of dolls?
Let's look at this example. One encyclopedia says that the
origin of
dolls is
witchcraft and magic; in other
words — "demonic." In many early societies, only witch doctors or medicine men were
allowed to handle them, because of their close association with demonic
influence and curses. To this
day, multitudes of idol (demon) worshippers use "dolls" in pagan
religious ceremonies.
The dictionary gives one definition of a doll as "a small
carved or
molded figure that
served as a cult object or representation of a nursery story, cartoon,
or puppet character." Much of the history of dolls includes
the reputation of dolls as being used to bring "good luck" to their
owners. Children were not allowed to touch the dolls, because
they
were thought to have magical powers.
These "Good luck" dolls were supposed to bring rain or food
when there
was a
desperate need. Sometimes it was believed that such dolls
could make goats give more milk or could help win wars. Some
thought dolls could make sick people become well. In voodoo
practice, dolls are supposed to bring curses on people, and also to
make healthy people become sick. Since they are
accursed by Yahuweh, they actually can and do bring these and other
bizarre results.
Some primitive tribes would make wooden dolls that looked
like ugly
elves. They were supposed to frighten people. When
an Egyptian died, dolls would be buried with the dead person,
to become friends and
servants for him in the spirit world.
Every time the Israelites started worshipping idols, Yahuweh
sent them
into
captivity and bondage as punishment. Phrases such as, "lest
your corrupt
yourselves," (Deut. 4:16); "the anger of the LORD burned
against
Israel," (Jud 3:7); "it is abomination," (Deut
7:25,26); "the LORD thy God
hateth," (Deut 16:22); "provoked him to anger," (Ps
78:58); and
"moved him to jealousy," (Ps 78:58) — all these
phrases
are associated
with graven (carved) images.
Homes Under A Curse
Today many homes of Bible Believers are
under a curse, and the inhabitants are not even aware of it. The
Proverbs tell us that the curse does not come without a cause (Prov
26:2). The moment we bring a forbidden object into our house or
building, we establish a "legal" cause for a curse to come into that
realm of our authority.
As a result, problems and difficulties
that arise with your children or other inhabitants, in the form of
unusual discipline problems, out-of-the-ordinary or chronic sickness,
accidents, emotional problems, and many others, may be likely caused by
an accursed object in the home. Parents and children alike may need
DELIVERANCE from the demonic influence, and from the curse of idolatry
of these graven images (formed, carved, fashioned images).
Enemy Strongholds In Our Homes
Objects,
including some that are not graven images of living things, can become
enemy strongholds; and it is because of these strongholds, that many of
Yahuweh's people are not able to stand before their enemies (Josh
7:11-12; Jud 2:14-17). These can be in the form of a trinket, jewelry,
or sentimental object, received as a gift or memento, or inherited from
someone previously involved in occult practices of any kind, as far
back as the third and fourth generation (Deut 5:9). Having such objects
give the demons the "legal right" to remain.
These strongholds
must be removed from the house or building. The parents must repent, by
destroying the object. If possible, it should be burned, so that no one
else may find or retrieve the object, and become accursed likewise.
Once
the "legal" right to remain has been removed from the house, an
"eviction" must take place, by commanding these spiritual "flies" or
demons, in the name of Yahushua Messiah, to leave, and never return.
Acknowledging
to Yahuweh our sin of idolatry is an important step in gaining
deliverance from demonic strongholds. A simple confession and
renouncing of our sin, and coming out of agreement with idolatry, and
coming into agreement with Yahuweh, is often the key to freedom. Both
children and parents may need to do this.
It
is our repentance and obedience that restores our household and our
authority in Yahushua. Once we are restored, we can then
exercise
our authority in the name of Yahushua. We may then command the demons
to
leave, and break the curse.
Demons know exactly when someone has
authority, and when they do not. This is not a game; and a flippant
attitude may create a problem seven times worse than before (Matt
12:43-45). It is safe to first remove the object, then through prayer,
receive direction on any further steps to be taken.
If these
steps do not result in a sense of peace and freedom, then you may need
to seek the help of others. There are many deliverance
ministries
today that have a heart to help those who are seeking freedom from
demonic strongholds.
Idols of the Heart
One consequence of having
de jure idols (idols by
legal definition only) is
that they later become
de facto idols, or idols of
the heart. Are we attached in
any way to our collection of graven images — our figurines,
dolls, or toys? Our flesh will scream out
against obedience to
the Second Commandment. Nevertheless, this is the sin of
idolatry,
which is a stronghold in many lives, and is forbidden. Idolatry
manifests itself in many ways. First, let's look at what
Scripture tells us about idols and idolatry:
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee
from idolatry. (1 Corinthians 10:14)
Little children, keep yourselves
from idols.
Amen. (1 John 5:21)
Beloved, we are to "flee" from
idols, and from idolatry. In
the New Testament times, most knew what idols and idolatry were.
It is only the gentiles, the heathen, that had no background
in the Commandments of Scripture, and were ignorant. Today
there are multitudes of Believing ones, who likewise are ignorant of
the commandments in Scripture, and the effects of disobedience. Their
Pastors and Leaders have simply not told them anything about this Truth
of Scripture, because it would not "fit into" the theology they learned
from their Theological Cemeteries and Bible Schools.
Notice what else Yahuweh tells us about idolatry:
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
and stubbornness is as
iniquity and idolatry (<08655>
'teraphim' = "household images"). Because thou hast
rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also
rejected thee from being
king. (1 Samuel 15:23)
This example spoken to Saul, reveals the same
result He will have for
us today, when we refuse to allow "Messiah-in-us" to walk in obedience
to the Second Commandment, just as He did when He walked the earth
2,000 years ago in His own body.
Yahuweh does not need us to have or to use any
graven images,
idols, or statues of any kind to sell
and promote His Kingdom. All that is required is walking in
the Truth of the Bible. Our simple
obedience to the true teachings of the Word of Yahuweh will
result in signs, wonders, and miracles following.
Our
Saviour said that if you do not believe Me, then believe My
miracles. He brought deliverance and set the captives free.
"Taste and see" the goodness of Yahuweh, when you
begin to
obey
the Second
Commandment. He will give us victory over demonic
strongholds, and the peace
that surpasses our ability to understand how great it is.
These are blessings that the disobedient, and those of the
world, can never taste.
Conclusion
The world's way of raising children is NOT Yahuweh's
way. Love your children the way Yahuweh wants you to
love them. Remove the graven images from their toybox, and
from their rooms, and from your home — and deliver them out
of the hand of the enemy.
Repent of your lack of knowledge of Yahuweh's Word,
and love
your children enough to remove the curses that continue to come upon
them, simply because we as parents have been as disobedient
children of
Yahuweh (Eph 5:5-6; Col 3:5-6).
Any type of collection of figurines, art objects, dolls,
toys, or any
other likeness of living things (such as owls and
frogs especially, which are stated as abominations to Yahuweh),
unicorns, birds, elephants, mice, fish, bears, soldiers — any
object
which
depicts one of Yahuweh's created living beings, as well as
a likeness of the heavenly
bodies — are graven images, and are idols.
Yahuweh strictly forbids
the MAKING or ACQUIRING of them. You may have just one or two
of these
items in your home or office, but only a few are just as deadly as a
whole collection.
Because
of idols, many of Yahuweh's people become deceived, and thus they
prevent themselves from making progress and attaining victory in many
"little" ways in their walk with Yahuweh. Refusing to "clean out" the
home of graven images causes a blockage in their progress, therefore
they begin to lack the willingness to "do what it takes" to grow and
mature further — to become a mighty overcomer. This
deception
often begins with the thought, "Oh, Yahuweh knows my heart; He knows I
love Him, and these objects are insignificant, and nothing to concern
myself over."
Many Bible Believers have given testimony
of
deliverance from curses brought on by these objects.
Many have testified of what these objects can do,
and of the curses they bring on individuals and entire households,
until
they begin to walk in obedience to the Second
Commandment.
The above includes comments and testimony from several
sources.
---