Do We Still Need to Remember “Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me”?

The Old Testament is one place where the commandment is given. God gave these specific commandments and instructions to Moses.

“You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3 NIV)  

The statement is found in another part of the Old Testament. Moses called all of Israel and told the people about God’s covenant. Moses shared what God spoke to him. 

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” (Deuteronomy 5:6-7 NIV)

In those words spoken by Moses, the commandments of God are given. Moses told the people how God spoke in a loud voice and wrote the commandments on two stone tablets, giving them to Moses. 

God called the people, then and now, to worship only Him. Humanity failed then and fails today. Many other things in life get put in place of God. 

God’s instructions to Moses established the punishment for violating this commandment: death. “Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the Lord must be destroyed” (Exodus 22:20 NIV).

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What Were the “Other Gods” that the Israelites Had to Avoid?

The Israelites were given the commandment not to worship other gods. This included physical idol worship (such as items created out of wood or stone). Those things were not to be looked upon as having power. Furthermore, worshiping nature (like the seasons) or gods that represented nature (like the sun god Baal or the moon god Asherah) were to be avoided. Activities that would encourage idolatry (such as intermarriage with pagan nations) were also to be avoided.

The Israelites didn’t always find it easy to follow the commandment. Distractions and temptations caused turmoil within the people of Israel. God commanded, and the Israelites did not always listen. As happens today, God commands, but we don’t always listen.

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“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.” (Exodus 20:3-5 NIV)

A graven image can be defined as “a carved idol or representation of a god used as an object of worship.” When our thoughts are directed solely to an object, we take our focus off God and place it on that item. The evil one lurks and waits for our minds to focus on something besides God. 

Churches worldwide have beautiful and colorful stained glass windows often depicting Biblical scenes. Ornate crosses are placed in visible areas of sanctuaries. Gardens are dedicated to loved ones who have moved on to Heaven. Special cloths are sometimes used in dedicating and baptizing. Some people travel to the Holy Land and bring back oil and or water in a small vessel to use in ceremonies.

Beautiful things can be enjoyed and admired. We just need to be careful not to worship them.

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With different and meaningful ways to show faith, we are commanded not to worship those items. Although each thing or ceremony may have purposeful and special meaning, the true focus should always be on the Father.

As Christians, we are called to love God. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NIV)

When we love God the way He commands, there is no room for other gods. Yet, as humans, we sin and fail at what we know should be done. When this happens, and we have put hope in something other than God, we must repent. Going to God in prayer, acknowledging the sin, and asking for forgiveness is the way to restoration.

This can be a struggle that enters life at any time. Being alert to what we are putting our focus on and faith in can guide us to a deeper relationship with the Father.

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What Might “Other Gods” Look Like in Our Lives? 

Have you paused to consider what other gods look like in the world today? Anything that focuses on something other than God prevents us from being close to Him. Money, clothing, social media, coveting possessions, work, and idol worship are a few examples. 

Do you know someone who chooses a lie instead of telling the truth to gain attention? What about someone who worships a human? A favorite singer or movie star or maybe a leader in the church. These traps are not from God. He wants us to know Him and have a close relationship with Him. When choices are made to put “other gods” before the Father, trust is placed in the wrong place.

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First, remember God was, is, and shall be forever. There was nothing before God.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NIV)

Perhaps you have a piece of memorabilia from your childhood. Maybe a photograph or letter from a loved one. Yes, keeping those special mementos can bring back precious memories of fun-filled times. There may be a family Bible that has been handed down from generation to generation. Knowing that a loved one held the Bible and read the Scripture may bring tears of joy or sadness.

Even so, we must remember to put God first above mementos. Used properly, those reminders from the past guide us to focus on God, not the actual items. We can be thankful for the people and the memories without worshiping them as gods. 

Removing other gods from our lives allows the focus to be on God and not things.

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5 Ways to Remove Other Gods

1. Start the day with prayer. Thank God for His love and forgiveness.

2. Read the Bible daily. Ask God to open your heart and mind to receive His message for you.

3. Pause and consider the importance of a relationship with God.

4. Ask God for help to remove other gods.

5. End the day with prayer. Thank God for His provisions and mercies.

Temptations will come and go. How we react to those temptations and situations can lead us to the Father or down the wrong path. The choice is important.

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A Prayer to Remember God First

Father, thank You for the love and mercy You give. Help us to remember the commandments from You. Guide our steps. Help us to put aside all false “gods” and only worship You. Open our hearts to receive Your message. Amen.

In His Name,

Melissa Henderson

Further Reading:

10 Common Idols in Our Lives and How to Resist Them

15 Bible Verses about Idolatry & The Dangers of Idols

What is Idolatry? Bible Definition and Meaning

Are the 10 Commandments Still Relevant for Us Today?