Daily Word: Idolatry Part 8

For the last week, we have examined some types of things that could be considered idols. Our text is Shemoth (Exodus) 20:3-4 which says: You have no other mighty ones against My face. You do not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of that which is in the heavens above, or which is in the earth beneath, or which is in the waters under the earth.... (The Scriptures) Today, we ask, "What is God's opinion on these matters?" Are we making issues where there is no issue? Is the study of glory, amen, holy, and the fish symbol really all that important? The real question is, "Can we 'Christianize' pagan practices and symbols?" I submit that you cannot.

If I was presenting a case to a jury, I would provide evidence for my position. The best source of truth is the Word of God. Consider the following verses:
1. Deuteronomy 12:30-32: "Take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.' "You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it. (NKJV)
2. Deuteronomy 12:1-3: "These are the statutes and judgments which you shall be careful to observe in the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth. You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations which you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. And you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and burn their wooden images with fire; you shall cut down the carved images of their gods and destroy their names from that place. (NKJV)
3. Jeremiah 10:2: Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. (KJV)

The Word makes clear God's lack of tolerance of false idols and practices. Notice the underlined portions. You can't "Christianize" pagan practices and symbols. Yet, the modern church does. Where will you stand?