How Not to Bow. Part [3] 07/14/2025 (Morning thought)

Psalms 115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: 6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:

[The Great Controversy pp 583] It is as easy to make an idol of false doctrines, and theories as to fashion an idol of wood or stone. With many a philosophical idol is enthroned in the place of Jehovah; “While the living God, as he is revealed in his Word, in Christ, and in the works of creation, is worshiped by but few. Thousands deify nature, while they deny the God of nature.

Though in a different form, idolatry exists in the Christian world today as verily as it existed among ancient Israel in the days of Elijah. The god of many professed wise men, philosophers, poets, politicians, journalists; the god of polished fashionable circles, of many colleges, universities and even of some theological institutions is little better than Baal, the sun god of Phoenicia.

However, after commanding us not to have any gods other than the True God the Bible says that we must not bow down to them nor serve them. This means that we must never let them dictate, stipulate, and direct what we do, for if this is done we will become subservient to them and will do their bidding in the  end. For example, if one is in the habit of bowing down to the god of fashion, whatsoever is trending would be purchased and worn, regardless of whether it is in harmony with what God says.

 Psalms 115:7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. 8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusts in them.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

How Not to Bow. Part [2] 07/14/2025 (Evening thought)

Deuteronomy 7:25 The graven images of their gods shall you burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God.

It also means that we should mot make or possess any graven images for purposes of worship, or to hold a philosophical idea and concept above what the Bible says. These are the more common forms of bowing down. Again, anything that is allowed to consume our best energies, and interests, and anything we take more pleasure spending our time, effort and resources on more than Christ and His kingdom will fall into the category of other gods.

When persons come to a point in their lives where they firmly believe that they cannot live without a certain thing, or they cannot surrender a belief or a teaching that is contrary to the scriptures, that also becomes a god. And there are a lot of immaterial gods, we must be aware of. For instance, evolution is a philosophical god, for it contradicts the great facts of creation, and therefore when any person knowingly adheres to its teachings they are bowing down to a false god.

Another graven image in our day is that of same sex marriage, which contradicts the Biblical teaching on marriage. Therefore, if people accept alternative marriage, and lifestyles as being right, it becomes a god, and by accepting it such persons are bowing down. In fact, many persons are bowing down to a graven image, and they have not a clue as to what they are doing in many cases. Thus, before we proceed let us see the amplified version of our first passages.

Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. 24 Defile not you yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: 25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomits out her inhabitants.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!