One of the main precepts of orthodoxy states: "Do not make yourself an idol" - ie,idol, who is revered like God.This applies not only to the ancient pagan religions, but also to the worldview of modern man.How often do we hear people saying that they are crazy about some artist songs or style of dress.And this commandment Gd just warns against the loss of reason, which is a consequence of the adoration of the earthly and material.
What is an idol
In ancient idols were considered heavenly bodies, animals and plants, that is,all that surrounds Gentile.Supernormal endowed by nature, the people prayed to the gods of the sun, wind, thunder, etc.They also created wooden idols, whom they sacrificed.Now idols for millions of people have become popular singers and dancers, talented actors and beautiful models.Twisted minds of people all over drew his attention to the temporal and earthly, forgetting about the eternal and heavenly.Many hard to resist the temptation of which the Bible warns - "Do not make yourself an idol."
But not only celebrities can be established for individuals.Instead coarse idolatry it was replaced by a more subtle form of "adoration" - the ministry of human passions.These include gluttony - delicious, eating without action, the desire to treat.This sin is the first among all the passions.How often do people allow themselves a lot of excess, choosing those foods that the tastiest, but not something that is useful to the body.How many diseases are now appearing as a result of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, pancreatitis and others.All this is directly connected with the constant desire to satisfy his insatiable stomach, forgetting eternal and spiritual.Therefore, the commandment "Do not make yourself an idol" also applies to this sin of gluttony.If
for the money ready for anything ...
Covetousness - the desire to have untold wealth and willingness to use any purpose to obtain it.Even the apostle Paul said that this sin is idolatry.Man serves his wealth as an idol, which he is very afraid of losing.Greed has the greater sin than gluttony, as for profit a man can commit other more obscene and terrible deeds: theft, murder, rape.That is why the desire to be at the root of avarice in his heart to destroy, because the money as such should not be an end in itself.Finance - a means of obtaining the necessary food, clothing, and other reasonable satisfaction of the needs and requirements.
Vanity Fair
person suffering from pride and self-important, violates the commandment "Do not make yourself an idol", because its advantages - the mind and the beauty - it puts above all, including the Lord's will.These people laugh at other people's opinions and appearance, consider other unworthy.Get rid of this sin is very difficult, because people who suffer from it, do not even notice its presence.This passion is treated only through obedience and labor.And if the man himself does not wish to recover from this misfortune, the Lord, loving each of us, despite all our defects, she sends him a scourge depriving money, beauty and fame.These tests, like an injection or a bitter pill, designed to restore the soul and the proud chastity.After all, without a means of livelihood, have to turn to people for help, and seriously ill, the man seeks solace in others, humbling their pride.
Why do people worship idols
believed that the appearance of an idol in life due to the fact that he does not know the true Most High.To know it is possible through the Scriptures, stay in the liturgy, confession, prayer home.Only in this way can be filled with the soul of man and God the Holy Spirit.If we stop to pray to God, you will quickly fill the void with something else: jobs, dating, cottage, a hobby that can also become an idol.
«Do not make yourself an idol" - calls on the Lord.But in ancient times, many wanting to live by their own rules, rejected God's will for themselves and come up with other patrons that they were comfortable.For example, he was the patron god of war violence and murder - is not freedom for those trades that day?Fornicators and adulterers invented gods of love, which, stoking sensual passion, encouraged the animal instincts.The commandment "Do not make yourself an idol," whose value can not be overestimated, aimed at cleansing and restoring the human soul.
How to treat the holy images and relics
Atheists and Protestants accuse the Orthodox believers for worshiping icons, because, in their opinion, they violate the commandment "Do not make yourself an idol."In fact, through the images of Christ and the saints, we appeal for help to the inhabitants of heaven.It is always easier to pray when you see an icon, rather than a blank wall.
icons as a way to communicate with God
Even in Old Testament times, the Lord commanded the Prophet Moses set two angels on the lid of the Ark of the Covenant.Then the Almighty said, that it will always be invisible among the cherubim.At that time there was no icons, because the Lord was not yet on Earth, and people could not see Him.
first image appeared thanks to the grace of God.It was the Holy Face, which Jesus Christ has given the sick prince Abgar leprosy.Having prayed before this, he was able to heal.The icon itself was a cloth that Jesus blotted face before having washed.Then Christ gave this towel is the servant of the prince.Wink image on the canvas when he saw Abgar.That is why the icon received a similar name - because of human involvement in its creation was not.
Then the Apostle Luke created a holy image of Our Lady on a wooden board, which once served as a dining table for Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.For centuries, the power of the Lord endowed the images of miracles which manifest themselves in mirotochenii icons.
When a person applied to the relics, he receives the grace of God.Therefore, the Orthodox do not worship the remains of the saint, and just gets closer to the Lord, thereby breaking the second commandment, "Do not make yourself an idol."
Jesus Christ came to earth to redeem man's sins through untold suffering.Thus, the Lord showed that there people other gods besides Him.After all, only God always forgives us and teaches.Therefore, "Do not make yourself an idol" - verse, which is one of the key among the rows of the Old Testament.
