The first of the 10 commandments is as follows:
Exodus 20:3-5
[3]Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
[4]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, or that is in the water under the earth:
[5]Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
This includes self worship as well as anything in earth or in heaven.
What is Idolatry?
Idolatry is the admiration of something or someone, for example : having posters of celebrities up on your wall and actually looking up to them and worshipping them, wanting to be like them.
In order to understanding the word idolatry a bit more here are some synonyms:
- Fetishism
- Iconolatry
- Paganism
- Heresy
- Sacrilage
• Types of Idolatry are as follows..
- The practice of religion
- The practice of pagan holidays doing pagan thiings in general.
- The practice of worshipping Idols
What is Vanity?
Vanity is the act of self worship ; putting yourself above everyone including TMH.
According to king Solomon in Ecclesiasties chapters 1,2&3
vanity is a numbers of things here that range from self worship, narcissism, envy and covetousness,
In today's society vanity can be seen in a person that seek self pleasures by means of vices such as
- Smoking
- Drinking
- Sexual pleasures
- Fetishes
- And many other addictions
These altimately bring no profit to a preson's success or spiritual journey.
In order to understanding the word vanity a bit more here are some synonyms:
- Conceit
- Self conceit
- Narcissism
- Self love
- Self admiration
- Self regard
- Self absorption
- Egotism
- Egoism
- Egocentrism
• Types of Vanity are as follows..
- Taking Selfies
- Partying
- Participating in fetish activities
- Admiring Yourself / Birthdays
- Self Worship
- A large amount of confidence / ego
How to know if you've practiced Idolatry or vanity?
Look at the list provided above and examine yourself to see if you have been practicing any of the things listed above and if you have, please be sure to repent from your sins.
What does TMH show us about vanity?
We clearly see that in Genesis 40:20, the other nations like Egyptians practiced the act of vanity and idolatry by celebrating themselves on the days that they were born which had a negative impact on the Hebrew people for they died on those days, another example of this is in Matthew 14:6-10 (Mark 6:27, Luke 9:9) where we see that on King Herod's day, he kills John the Baptist by beheading him, back then, it was a custom practice for these nations to do these things as to torture or kill Hebrew people.
That's why TMH is very adimont about his people not learning the practices of those nations in scripture:
Leviticus 18:24
[24]Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:
Deuteronomy 12:30
[30]Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Deuteronomy 6:14-15
[14]Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;
[15](For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
How can one deal with having the spirit vanity or idolatry?
Humility is key and it is spoken about throughout the bible learn how to be humble and greatful for the things you have gotten of achieved in this life knowing that it is The Most High who given and restrains from his people.
1. Do lots of research about the many customs you practce on a daily basissoon you will come to find out that TMH has not sanctioned participation in most of the things we practice today.
2. Practice righteousness which includes reading your bible not just for hearing but also for understanding most persons practice the art of "surface reading" that they never truely get any subtance out of the word due to the process being time consuming. So are you really looking for answers to your questions or not? If yes then take the time, be patient.
3. Man's tranditions over the years have greatly clouded their own minds to believing tradition is better than what TMH says but we tell you here today that the traditions for man are all vanites and vexation of spirit.
In addition:
- Practice reading your bible
- Keep out of vain/pointless traditions
- Keep a humble spirit, think not that you are better than anyone or anything
- Pray for forgiveness and earnestly repent for what you have already done
- Keep TMH'S laws and commandments
- Abandon the addictions
- Teach your children to do the same
If you have any additional info that you would like to suggest in order to complete this study, or would like to suggest a new topic that you would like us to take on, please feel free to send us an Email.
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Please note: All studies done on this platform are subject to change due to new findings and revelations. Wisdom and knowledge shall always increase, so be it.
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