The First Commandment forbids the worship of false gods and idols. It establishes that there is only one true God that deserves worship and obedience. This commandment forms the foundation for the rest of the Ten Commandments and our relationship with God.
What is the First Commandment?
The First Commandment comes from Exodus 20:3 which states:
“You shall have no other gods before Me.”
It establishes that the Lord God alone deserves our full worship, allegiance, and obedience. As the one true God, He alone is worthy of our praise and devotion.
Why is the First Commandment important?
The First Commandment is incredibly important for several reasons:
- It forms the foundation for the rest of the Ten Commandments and our relationship with God. If we do not get the object of our worship correct, then our whole religious system is flawed.
- It reveals that there is only one true God who exists, not many false gods or idols.
- It shows that God is jealous for our full devotion and does not want us to be led astray by counterfeit gods.
- It establishes that we owe exclusive allegiance, worship, service, and obedience to the one true God.
The First Commandment shapes the contour for the rest of the commands about how we are to live in relationship to God and each other.
What does it forbid?
Specifically, the First Commandment forbids:
- The worship of other gods or idols – God expressly forbids the worship of false gods and idols. This includes worshiping other supernatural beings or forces such as demons, angels, spirits, or celestial objects. It also prohibits revering or valuing anything else in our lives over the one true God.
- Syncretism – Trying to mix the worship of false gods with the worship of the true God. God prohibits any attempt to worship Him alongside other deities or idols.
- False concepts of God – Creating an imaginary or false concept of God that does not match His true nature and character as revealed in Scripture. God condemns the worship of a distorted version of Himself.
- Priority of allegiance – Allowing anything else in our lives, whether relationships, possessions, careers, hobbies, political ideologies, etc. to become more important than our relationship with God. He alone deserves our highest allegiance, devotion, and obedience.
In summary, the First Commandment establishes that God alone deserves our full worship and forbids distracting ourselves with counterfeit gods, idols, beliefs, or priorities. He demands exclusive devotion.
What are some examples of violations?
There are many ways that the First Commandment can be violated, either intentionally or unintentionally. Here are some examples:
- Worshiping pagan gods or deities
- Revering nature, celestial objects, or spirits as divine
- Practicing idolatry by worshiping carved images or statues
- Participating in occult practices that invoke demons or spirits
- Putting faith in astrology, horoscopes, fortune-telling, or psychic powers
- Believing in religions like Hinduism or Buddhism that worship many gods
- Prioritizing money, careers, hobbies, sports, relationships, or possessions over God
- Trusting in our own abilities more than God’s power and relying on ourselves instead of Him
- Creating a god in our own image who aligns with our personal preferences rather than biblical truth
- Failing to acknowledge God’s rightful place as Lord of our lives and refusing to submit fully to Him
Any beliefs, practices, priorities, or loyalties that conflict with the worship of the one true God violate the First Commandment. God demands that He alone be worshiped without any rivals.
Why is it so dangerous to worship false gods or idols?
There are several dangers that arise from worshiping false gods or idols:
- It is an affront to the true God who alone deserves worship and obedience.
- False gods do not actually have any power or ability to help us.
- It gives the devil a foothold in our lives when we engage in demonic religious practices.
- It fails to fulfill our created purpose which is to glorify God and enjoy relationship with Him.
- It leads us away from God’s blessing and protection and into spiritual danger and darkness.
- It traps us under the curse and judgment of God who opposes idolatry and false worship.
- It pollutes and destroys societies as they exchange truth for lies and engage in abhorrent practices.
There is no hope or salvation in counterfeit gods of any kind. We only find meaning, protection, freedom, and salvation through relationship with the one true God. Worshiping false gods will lead to spiritual ruin. God lovingly gave the First Commandment to protect us.
How were the Israelites particularly susceptible to violate this commandment?
The Israelites faced strong temptation to violate the First Commandment by engaging in syncretism and idol worship:
- They lived amidst pagan nations like Egypt, Canaan, and Babylon that worshiped multiple false gods.
- Powerful nearby religions like Baal worship involved sensual fertility rites.
- They were surrounded by idolatrous influences that seemed glamorous.
- They faced pressure to blend in and accommodate to cultural practices.
- Occult practices and nature worship were widespread throughout the region.
- The lure of prosperity made pagan rituals and magic enticing.
- They struggled to trust God’s power, turning to superstitions for security.
The Israelites lived in a cultural melting pot brimming with false deities. God’s repeated warnings against idolatry were meant to protect them from syncretism. But the Israelites still repeatedly violated the First Commandment throughout their history.
How does the New Testament reaffirm this commandment?
The New Testament strongly upholds the prohibition against idolatry and false worship. For example:
- 1 Corinthians 10:14 – Paul warns to “flee from idolatry.”
- 1 John 5:21 – “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”
- Revelation 21:8 – Idolaters are included in those condemned to the lake of fire.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9 – No idolaters will inherit the kingdom of God.
- Galatians 5:19-20 – Idolatry is listed among the acts of the sinful nature.
- Colossians 3:5 – Paul equates greed with idolatry.
- 1 Corinthians 12:2 – Idolatry characterized their lives before Christ.
The New Testament makes it clear that idolatry remains a serious sin and violation of the First Commandment. God still requires exclusive allegiance.
How can someone honor the First Commandment today?
Here are some ways to honor the First Commandment in daily life:
- Worship only the Lord God revealed in the Bible.
- Have no other gods before Him or alongside Him.
- Pursue knowing God intimately through Bible study, prayer, church community, and obedience.
- Give God first place in your time, energy, money, thoughts, and relationships.
- Love and serve God with your entire being, holding nothing back from Him.
- Reject and expose any counterfeit teachings about God that contradict Scripture.
- Renounce and destroy any idols in your life that you have prioritized over God.
- Trust in God’s character, power, and provision rather than looking to other sources of security and significance apart from Him.
- Refuse to participate in the worship of false gods through mysticism, occult practices, or non-Christian religions.
The First Commandment establishes our exclusive relationship with God that requires wholehearted worship of Him alone. We honor God by loving Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength as the Commandments require.
Conclusion
The First Commandment, requiring exclusive devotion to God, lays the foundation for all that follows in our relationship with Him. God established this commandment to protect us from the dangers of idolatry, false worship, and syncretism. He alone deserves our full allegiance and obedience as the one true God. We honor and fulfill our purpose in life by loving God wholeheartedly as He has commanded. The God who delivered the command on Sinai is the same God who redeemed us through Christ today. Our gratitude for His salvation overflows into joyful obedience to His Word, including the prohibition of idolatry in the First Commandment.