By: Colton Parrett
The Misconception
One of the most misunderstood commandments in the Bible is the second one:
"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... Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.”
— Exodus 20:4-5 (KJV)
Some Christians take this to mean all statues are sinful, even decorative ones or historical figures. Others believe it forbids having religious art altogether—like crucifixes, paintings of Jesus, or even angel figurines. But is that really what this verse is saying?
Let’s break it down.
What “Graven Image” Really Means
The original Hebrew word for “graven image” is “pesel,” which specifically refers to a carved idol—a man-made object designed for worship.
It doesn’t simply mean a sculpture or statue. It means an object created to represent a false god or something a person intends to worship in place of God.
The Key Is Worship, Not the Object
The commandment continues with the real issue:
“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.”
God isn’t forbidding art. He’s forbidding idolatry—when we take something created and give it divine value or authority. That could be:
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A statue of a pagan god like Baal or Molech
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A physical object believed to “hold” God
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A person elevated to spiritual status (e.g., someone who claims to be a messiah)
It’s not the existence of an image that’s sinful—it’s the intended worship of it.
So Is It a Sin to Have a Statue?
No, it’s not. A statue, on its own, is just an object. It becomes a problem only when it’s turned into an idol—when people:
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Pray to it
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Believe it has spiritual power
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Worship or serve it in any way
Having a statue of yourself, a historical figure, or even a symbolic religious figure is not sinful as long as it’s not being used as a substitute for God or a focus of worship.
Modern-Day Idols Go Beyond Statues
Today, idols aren’t always made of stone or gold. Some people make idols out of:
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Celebrities
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Money
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Politics
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Their own ego or reputation
These things can become “graven images” in the heart—because people serve them, rely on them, and treat them like ultimate sources of truth or security.
What This Means for Us
This commandment is really a call to keep God first—not to live in fear of art or symbols, but to avoid worshipping anything other than the Creator.
So next time someone says statues are sinful, remember:
It’s not the stone. It’s the heart behind it.
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