WEEKEND RECHARGE!

March 28, 2026

Monday, March 23—Exodus 20:12 Commandment #5
Tuesday, March 24—Exodus 20:13Commandment #6
Wednesday, March 25—Exodus 20:14 Commandment #7
Thursday, March 26—Exodus 20:15 Commandment #8
Friday, March 27—Exodus 20:16 Commandment #9

We love it when you send us questions! We have a dedicated Living Grounded Answer Team, including Greg DeVore and Joe Melaragno, who do an amazing job.

I want to start the Weekend Recharge by revisiting the second commandment, which has raised quite a few questions and discussions. The following, researched and written by Joe Melaragno, offers a clear and thorough explanation of how the second commandment applies. 

The Second Commandment—Explanation and Application
- Joe Melaragno

Exodus 20:4-6
You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

This command is closely linked with the first, which says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Having other gods is idolatry. Idol worship was rampant among the nations surrounding Israel. Most of those nations had carved images to which they bowed, sacrificed, and performed various acts of worship. Often, that pagan worship involved infanticide and prostitution (Leviticus 18:21; Deuteronomy 23:17). The Israelites were strictly warned to keep themselves separate from the pagan nations around them and to avoid any activities that resembled their vile worship rites (Leviticus 20:23; 2 Kings 17:15; Ezekiel 11:12).1

God hates idolatry in any form (Deuteronomy 6:14–15; 32:21; Jeremiah 2:5; Leviticus 26:1). It steals the attention and honor that belong only to God (Deuteronomy 6:5; Luke 10:27). In many nations today, carved gods and goddesses are still an obvious violation of this commandment. However, the sin of idolatry is ultimately a sin of the heart. An idol is anything we depend upon to meet the deep needs of the heart—love, security, worth, or significance. When we seek to find identity and security in something besides God, we have made it an idol. John Calvin said, “The human heart is an idol factory.” We often search for peace or identity through relationships, substances, money, or entertainment. Addictions are forms of idolatry, as are a host of other worldly enticements that cannot ultimately satisfy. When we give ourselves to the pursuit of manmade gods, we are breaking the second commandment.2

Idolatry is the heart of this commandment.  But what about religious items like a cross worn around the neck or a painting of Jesus?  It’s all about the intent or meaning poured into the item. If you wear a cross on a chain around your neck as a reminder of the sacrifice that Jesus made for you, that is not idolatry.  If you pray to that piece of metal in the shape of a cross, then I would say that it is idolatry. 

I have a framed print in my home office that depicts a businessman sitting across from Jesus having a conversation.  The inscription on the print is: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1 KJV).  I don’t pray to the print, nor do I worship the images portrayed – that would clearly be idolatry.  However, it does serve as a reminder to me that I am a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) and as such I represent Him to all I come in contact with on a daily basis (2 Cor. 5:20) and I need to act as if Jesus were alongside of me – because He is (in Spirit, not the picture). 

It’s also important to point out that Jesus, who is 100% God, is also 100% man.  He did come to earth and walk among the people who were able to see Him in bodily form.  Therefore, I do not feel that portraying Him in pictures violates the commandment.  Again, we must be careful not to go overboard with this and take excessive liberties as we see unbelievers doing when they attempt to portray Jesus.

It’s all about the meaning that’s poured into the artifact.  Even the communion elements that we partake in at church on a regular basis could become idols if we lifted them up in worship rather than simply utilizing them as a reminder of the grace and mercy bestowed upon us by God through Christ.

What about depictions of Jesus in films?  The full text of the commandment refers to images of anything—spiritual or physical—used for worship purposes. Were it to forbid all possible images of Jesus, it would prohibit representations of anything for any reason. When the object is not the focus of prayers, offerings, veneration, or other spiritual practices, it is not an idol. Of course, an object can become an idol, even if it wasn’t made with that intention (2 Kings 18:4). But the decorations of Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 6:29, 32) and figures placed on the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:18) were not the kind of items being banned. This means the second commandment would not prohibit all artistic representations of Jesus.3

Having said that, I recommend exercising caution and discernment when watching productions that present biblical stories.  Liberties can be taken with the biblical narrative, and the need to “fill in the blanks” where the Bible is silent is ever-present.  We do not want to assume that narrative, which may be taken out of context, or narrative that is added to round out a story, is actually biblical reality.  This can lead to confusion, or worse – warped theology.

In all of this, exercise caution, don’t create idols, use Scripture as your guide, and worship and pray to the Lord in Spirit and truth – not in or to any earthly thing. 

Notes 1 & 2: https://www.gotquestions.org/second-commandment.html
Note 3: https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-in-movies.html

OVERVIEW OF THIS WEEK’S TEACHING

EXODUS 20:12: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: FIFTH COMMANDMENT
Honor for Parents Reflects Honor for God (Ex. 20:12; Rom. 13:1)

• God is the one who ordains authority structures in human life.
• Honoring parents acknowledges the order and design God established.
• A heart that rejects parental authority often struggles with all authority.

Honoring Parents Is Practiced Throughout Every Season of Life (Eph. 6:1-2; Col. 3:20; Gen. 2:24; 1 Tim. 5:4)

• Children honor parents through obedience and attentiveness to instruction.
• Adults honor parents through respect, gratitude, and appropriate care.
• Marriage establishes a new family unit while still maintaining honor toward parents.

Parents Are Called to Be Worthy of Honor (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21)

• Parents should lead their children with spiritual instruction and guidance.
• Parents should avoid harshness that provokes anger or discouragement.
• Healthy parenting helps children grow in faith, character, and respect for authority. 

EXODUS 20:13: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: SIXTH COMMANDMENT
The Sanctity of Life: God Is the Author of Life (Ex. 20:13; Ps. 139:16)

• Life originates with God, and every human life exists under his sovereign authority.
• Because God writes every chapter of our lives, we must not interrupt the life he gives.
• Respect for life flows from recognizing that our lives—and the lives of others—belong to God from beginning to end.

The Depth of the Command: From the Hands to the Heart (Matt. 5:21-22; Prov. 12:18)

• Jesus teaches that the commandment addresses inner attitudes such as anger, hatred, and contempt.
• Words, insults, gossip, and slander can wound a person deeply and destroy their spirit.
• Sinful emotions often begin in the heart before they ever become destructive actions. 

The Responsibility to Protect Life: Sins of Omission (Luke 10:30-37)

• Failing to help someone in need can be a violation of the commandment.
• Indifference toward suffering allows harm to continue when we could intervene.
• God calls his people not only to avoid harming others but also to actively care for and protect them.

EXODUS 20:14: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
God’s Design for Covenant Faithfulness (Ex. 20:14; Gen. 2:24)

• Marriage is a covenant, not just a contract or feeling.
• Sexual intimacy is a gift designed exclusively for marriage.
• Adultery is any sexual encounter outside the covenant of marriage.

God’s Warning Against Sexual Sin (Prov. 6:32; Matt. 5:27-28; Heb. 13:4)

• Adultery includes both actions and inward desires.
• Sexual sin carries deep personal and relational consequences.
• Sin typically starts in the heart before manifesting in actions.

God’s Call to Purity for Our Good (Job 31:1; Rom. 7:12; 1 John 5:3)

• God’s commands are meant to protect us and benefit us overall.
• Purity requires intentional boundaries and accountability.
• Obedience leads to freedom, not restriction.

EXODUS 20:15: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: EIGHTH COMMANDMENT
God Owns Everything—We Are Stewards, Not Owners (Ex. 20:15)

• Everything we have ultimately belongs to God and is entrusted to us.
• Stealing denies God’s authority over resources and disregards his provisions.
• Faithful stewardship means honoring God with what he has given—not taking from others.

Stealing Flows from the Heart and Takes Many Forms (Matt. 15:19)

• Theft is not only physical—it includes time, integrity, and ideas.
• Small compromises in the heart lead to larger outward actions.
• Stealing violates love for neighbor and breaks relational trust.

God Calls Us to Honest Work and Generous Living (Eph. 4:28)

• God’s design is not just avoiding theft but pursuing honest labor.
• Work becomes a means to bless others, not just provide for ourselves.
• Generosity is the opposite of stealing and reflects God’s character.

EXODUS 20:16: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: NINTH COMMANDMENT
God Is Truth — Lying Opposes His Character (Ex. 20:16; Num. 23:19; Titus 1:2)

• Lying is not “small”—it is a direct contradiction of God’s character.
• Truth is foundational for justice, relationships, and trust.
• Bearing false witness (perjury) destroys the fabric of community.
• A lifestyle of deception reveals a heart not transformed.

Lying is Never Approved by God

• A lie—even for the greater good—is always a sin.
• Truth is absolute based on God’s Word.
• Truth is never situational based on our circumstances. 
• When a believer lies, there must be confession (Ps. 51; 1 John 1:9). 

Lies Destroy People — Truth Protects Our Neighbor (Prov. 25:18; Eph. 4:31)

• Lies damage reputations and relationships.
• Slander, gossip, and half-truths are all violations of this command.
• Silence can also be a form of falsehood when truth is needed.
• Gossip culture (like viral public shaming) reveals a deeper heart issue.
• The “family of lies” includes:
  • Slander (tearing down)
  • Flattery (false building up)
  • Half-truths (distorted reality)
  • Hypocrisy (pretending to be who you are not)
  • Silence (withholding truth)
  • Gossip (spreading harm)