This week, I am continuing or extending the discussion of accepting and practicing the Ten Command…

By Chet Miller

This week, I am continuing or extending the discussion of accepting and practicing the Ten Commandments for the value to the welfare of society. As I said before, there is much controversy and concern by both Christians and people not embracing the Christian faith. When congress mandated the placing of the Ten Commandments in all schools, the issue is separation of church and state.

Last week’s column addressed the first, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

The second, “You shall not make for yourself a graven image.”

God did foresee the danger of graven images, being a temptation for people to worship the same. Actually, the second commandment does somewhat blend with the first.

Almost before the commandments set in stone were fully dried, God’s people had made an image of the golden calf and were worshipping the same.

Where do we, as a society or culture, find ourselves? Statues, busts, trophies and plaques abundantly abound all around us. We do wonder how God looks at all of these.

We do need to give credit where credit is due. People need to hear thanks and expressions of appreciation for what they have done or are doing. Encouragements are in order when people do perform acts of kindness and unselfish service to mankind.

The question for discussion and digesting is, to what extent do we go?

Granted, encouragements and words of gratitude are in order. There is a real danger that the persons, alive or deceased can become as idols being worshipped by the masses of people.

It has been revealed maybe in part, that the idea of the mass killing at the Colombine school in Colorado was triggered in the minds of the two responsible by their feeling left out, miffed or angry at others in school receiving honors, accolades and awards for their achievements in sports, drama and other fields.

We think we are free from having images, statues, icons or what have you for gods. Yet in all this, we can have our passions, our money, our talents that we worship or think of more highly or important than the true God. As a society, we can also find ourselves bowing down to or worshiping the rich, the famous the achievers in our culture of democracy. Much ado is made of people being introduced into the Hall of Fame for a host of various achievements performed by people.

I have much respect for people in business, sports, or other professions who give credit to God for their human achievements.

From the beginning of man, Adam and Eve were told by the serpent, eat of the forbidden fruit, your eyes will be opened, and you will be equal with God.

From then until the present day, many persons see themselves as god.

Next week, the third Commandment, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”

Exodus 20:5

You shall not bow down to them (gods) nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me.