Should Christians Own Crosses and Pictures of Jesus?

The subject of this week's message is one of conscience, really.  For this message begins with a question and will end with the same question. Somewhere in between, I hope to provide you with sufficient biblical insight that you can answer this one for yourself, letting your conscience be your guide...as lead by the Holy Spirit, of course.

Evidence?
We could easily dismiss this question at first blush. After all, shouldn't we display evidence of our faith for those around us to see?  Well...yes and no. The answer depends on what you mean by "evidence."

Before we look at what the Word of God says about the issue, let's be honest with ourselves and consider the reasons why we might enjoy having these items around. Let's make it a Top Ten List of why we might want to have crosses, pictures of Jesus or other representations of our Christian faith on our persons, in our homes or in our churches. Yes, our churches. If we going down this road in search of the truth and trusting the Lord to light the way, we might as well include the church.  

Here's our Top Ten List of why one might display crosses and other Christian representations:

1) I wear a cross so people know I am a Christian.
2) To aid in my worship.  
3) To honor God.
4) To focus my thoughts toward God.
5) To bring good luck.
6) It's a family tradition.
7) A friend or family member gave me a Christian relic as a gift.
8) To expel demons.
9) To silently display my faith in environments where mention of God and prayer are not allowed.
10) I have a non-religious appreciation for these items.

Before we take a look at each one of these reasons, from a biblical perspective, let me state emphatically that I am not going to tell you that you should box up all of your crosses and paintings. If I felt that there was no "gray area" in this regard, I would say so. I will not compromise the Word of God on this subject or any other.

I do, however, feel lead to ask you to examine your own motives for wanting these objects in light of Scripture presented in this message. What you do after reading this article is between you and the Lord. My prayer is that you will read it with an open mind and a willingness to please the Lord in how you respond to this issue.

Let's see if we can get a pass from the word of God on any or all of these reasons.

Reason #1: I wear a cross so people know I am a Christian.

 In Matthew 5:14-15, Jesus said:

¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Apparently, it is our light, not our crosses, that Jesus wants to shine before others so that they not only know we are Christians, but so they may see our good works and glorify God. 

Ephesians 5:8 echoes the command that we are to live our lives in such a way that we literally shine as children of light living in a world of darkness:

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

What is this light that we are supposed to let shine?  It certainly is no light of our own, because apart from Christ we abide in darkness. Christ, Himself, answered what that light is, it is our "good works."  Not just any good works, but the good works God has given us to do:

Ephesians 2:10:

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The good works we do for the Lord is, according to Jesus, what should bear witness to others that we are Christians. There should be something different about us that makes us stand out among others, something that causes those around us to recognize that they are in the presence of God's people. Our behavior will be different if we submit to the Lord and allow Him to work through us, for it is He who does the good works, anyway, as explained in Philippians 2:13:

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

If we submit to God's will obey His word, our behavior can't help but testify of our relationship with the Lord as no man-made cross hung around our neck could ever do.

I encourage you to read Luke 6:27-36 and Romans 12:9-21 for Jesus' own description of how to live a life that witnesses of not only our faith in the Lord, but of His goodness. Such behavior is foreign to the actions of most people in the world, today, but, as God's people, we are called to be santified unto God and to not conform to this world.

Reason #2: To aid in my worship. 
Does a cross or other relic actually help us offer the kind of worship that is acceptable to God? Let's see what Jesus says about acceptable worship.

In John 4:24, Jesus tells us that:

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

He said this in response to a Samaritan woman whom he had met at a well dug by Abraham's grandson, Jacob.

The Lord deeply desires our worship, and actively seeks individuals who will worship Him in spirit and in truth, and Jesus stated in John 4:23:

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

Jesus used the phrase, "in spirit and in truth" twice in two verses. Anytime God repeats Himself, it is an indication that we need to pay particular attention to what He is saying. And who are those who worship God in spirit and in truth?  It is the "true worshipers" who do so. Jesus would not have mentioned true worshipers unless there are some who act like they worship God, who may even believe they worship God, but whose 'worship' is not true or genuine worship according to God. The true worshipers are those who worship "in spirit and in truth," not through objects as the pagans used to do.

While we might skirt the commandment against having a carved, or graven, image, with our crosses and pictures of Jesus, we certainly don't bow down to them.   

Reason #3: To honor God.

We honor God by studying His word, praying daily, and being obedient to Him. Nowhere in the Bible can we find New Testament believers using physical objects to honor the Lord.

Reason #4: To focus my thoughts toward God.
We should certainly keep our thoughts focused on the Lord, but is a cross or an artistic portrayal of Jesus the best way to do that? We are to so emerse ourselves in the word of God, through study and meditation, that we don't need a physical object to make us think of Him.

#5: To bring good luck.
My friend, there is no such thing as luck in the life of the believer. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, it is the guidance of your loving Father, day by day, moment by moment, that you should rely on. Whether God's plan for you, today, is good fortune or faith-strengthening trials, you can rest assured that your life His hands and that He has your best interest in mind.

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.

God's love for you is deeper than you can imagine and He has a purpose for you in His Kingdom that only you can fulfill. There is no way He is going to leave the details of your future to luck or chance. Even when He allows the enemy to bring hardship and suffering our way, He promises to turn it all around for our benefit.

Romans 8:28:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

There are hundreds of promises in the Word of God concerning God's involvement in the lives of those who trust Him. To wear a St. Christopher's charm or anything else expecting it to protect you not only causes you to miss the peace of mind that comes from trusting the Lord, but it comes dangerously close to idolatry. The Israelites, too, made the mistake of trusting man-made objects to protect them rather than God. What was the resuly? Being taken into captivity by their enemies.

Reason #6: It's a family tradition.
Society, today, has done an excellent job of destroying not only the family, but family traditions as well. Traditions used to affect much of family life, from how wedding ceremonies were conducted to planning for holiday celebrations right down to what might be served at the evening meal.  Sadly, relatively few traditions are passed down, today, compared to 10 or 20 years ago and we need to hold fast to those that remain. We would be wise, however, to continually examine every area of of our lives - even those things we have "just always done that way" to be certain our behavior is pleasing to the Lord, family traditions not excluded.

To display a Christian artifact or to wear a piece of Christian jewelry because it was handed down is noble, but, in truth, are we really honoring the Lord by doing so or are we honoring our family? 

When my sister and I were children, our mother had a painting of Jesus hanging on the hallway wall in our home.  For as long as I could remember, Jesus was there in the hallway, with beard, mustache and long hair and gazing upward to the Father. Year after year, there hung the image of Christ.  Every time God was mentioned, I thought of that image. Every time I prayed, I assumed that the Jesus I was praying to must look something similar to the painting on the wall.  Of course, even as a child, I knew the painting wasn't really Jesus, but that didn't stop that image from entering my mind when I thought about Him. 

I still have that painting, today, tucked away somewhere in a box of my mom's things. And that is where it will remain, as a memento of my mother's sincere desire to honor the Lord rather than to be displayed by me in an act of tradition. My mother meant no disrespect, she thought she was honoring God and she succeeded quite well at teaching her children to fear the Lord.  For me to display that painting of Jesus might, admittedly, make me remember my mom and I'm sure I would remember the sense of comfort it provided me as a child when I had to venture down that long hallway at night for a drink of water (after all, Jesus was watching), but it would do nothing to make me feel closer to the Lord or to help me honor Him in any way. I enjoy an intimate relationship with my Savior that goes far deeper than any feelings I could get from any painting. The sense of His Presence living inside of me, and having His word to read, is all I need. Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of Lords living inside me?  Nothing can add to that.

So let's just be sure that when the Lord said in Matthew 15:6:

So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.

that He isn't talking about our family traditions.

Reason #7: It was given as a gift.
Sometimes, it can be awkward when a well-meaning friend or relative presents us with a cross necklace, wall ornament or other item they believe will please us because they think it represents our Christian faith. In ignorance, I have probably given a cross necklace or two to some young lady in my earlier years.  But we must decide if we are going to live our lives to please others or to please the Lord, as Paul indicated in Galatians 1:10: 

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

If you feel conviction on this issue, you have no choice but to either graciously refuse the gift. Accepting the gift with no intent of using it comes mighty close to being deceptive, but I'd have you seek the Lord on how He would have you to respond. Hard to do? Yes, but living for Christ often means making difficult choices if we want to please Him. 

As for me, I could not accept such an item as a gift any more than I could accept a movie DVD with inappropriate content that I believe would not please the Lord.

Reason #8: To expel demons.
This seems to be a good reason to have a crucifix on hand, especially if you believe you have been called into deliverance ministry. After all, you do need a crucifix if you are going to start casting out demons, right? Well, no, you don't. The only thing that has any power over a demonic spirit is the Name of Jesus Christ and faith in that Name to deliver.  Period.

"What about the Catholics, don't their priests use crucifixes during exorcisms?" you might ask, and it's a really good question. I will credit the Catholic church for their diligence in helping those who are in a state of demonic possession. Through the centuries, countless Catholic priests have availed themselves to those oppressed by the Devil, probably more than most Protestant denominations, and have helped many thousands to be free of the foul spirits inhabiting them. 

The rite of exorcism, as practiced by the Roman Catholic Church, instructs priests at specific stages during an exorcism to deploy a crucifix, as well as using holy water, to compel the wicked spirit or spirits to leave the afflicted person. They also pray and command the Name of Christ. I contend that they would be at least as effective—and, indeed, they are usually effective—if they were to lay down the religious objects in which they in part place their faith and put their faith totally in the Name of the One doing the deliverance, Jesus Christ.  I venture to say an exorcism in which crosses and other 'holy' objects are brought to bear without the Name of Christ commanded would be a dismal failure.  It is the prayers and taking authority in Christ Name that forces the demons to leave, not any man-made object supposedly charged with holy powers.

"But demons react at the sight of a crucifix. Doesn't this mean the sign of the cross has at least some power to compel them?" one might ask. 

Demons do, indeed, often react at the sight of a crucifix, sometimes violently so. However, let's remember the primary power of an evil spirit is deception.  I'm not saying demons are not displeased by anything that even remotely associated with Jesus or His crucifixion, but the more the demon can make the priest think there is power in a cross pressed against the victims forehead, the more the priest will believe the crucifix to be necessary, and the more insufficient the Name of the Savior becomes. Therein lies the danger. ANYTHING that must be added to the Name of Jesus in order to expel a demon is not only not holy but is decidedly unholy, for such denies the total sufficiency of Christ's Name.

Of course, simply brandishing Christ's Name, without having Him living inside you through faith by accepting Him as your Savior, isn't going to be very effective.  Actually, it can be downright dangerous. You can read in Acts 19:13-17 how well this approach worked for the seven sons of a Jewish priest, who commanded Jesus' name against a demon-possessed man without having Jesus in their hearts. If Jesus Name, through faith in that Name, got you saved, it will also deliver those oppressed by the Devil.

Since we are in Acts 19, let me go ahead and address those who cite verses 11-12 and will say, "Ah, but handkerchiefs and aprons--physical objects—brought from Paul had the power to heal the sick and to cast out devils!" Yes, they did, praise God, but read verse 11, again:Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, and then the scripture proceeds to tell us what those unusual miracles were—the sick and possessed were healed by Paul's handkerchiefs being placed on them. These were "unusual" miracles and not the way God usually heals the sick or delivers the possessed. If that were the case, we wouldn't need healing or deliverance ministries, just some blessed handkerchiefs and a bulk mail rate to send them to whoever needed healing and deliverance. No, this verse is not justification for using physical objects for exorcisms, it was one of many "unusual" ways the Lord chose to validate one of His followers in the days of the early Church when such extreme measures were necessary.

If you ever do encounter a demonic spirit, I pray you delpoy the sword if the Spirit (the Word of God) against it in Jesus' Name, rather than putting your faith in any physical object.

Dicuss oil

Reason #9: To display my faith in environments where mention of God and prayer are not allowed.
To have a religious item so that you can display your faith in environments where mention of God and prayer are not allowed stands in such stark contrast to what it means to be a Christian that I hope no one reading this even thought of it.  Why do I say that? Because there you should not allow yourself, as a follower of Christ, to find yourself anywhere that you cannot mention His name or to pray.  Obviously, reciting the entire book of Psalms while waiting at the doctor's office or praying out loud in the middle of final exams does not honor the Lord, it makes you a poor witness for the King. However, if you work in a place where you wold be admonished for praying with a co-worker at break time or simply acknowledging that you are a follower of Jesus, you need to leave. 

Satan, through the world system, is making it increasingly less acceptable for Christians to live out our faith in public settings, but we are not to back down, not to retreat, not to hold silent the message our Father has given us to deliver. We are the light of the world, according to Jesus, and if we are willing to dim that light so we don't offend others, then we need to examine whether or not we are even in the Faith. Jesus wasn't quiet about dying for you and me, so how can we be quiet in living for Him?

Reason #10: I have a non-religious appreciation for these items.
If that is true then you escape the traps set by the first nine reasons. You do not get a pass, however, because others who see the cross on your chain are going to assume that you are a Christian and will assume, therefore, that wearing a crucifix is acceptable behavior. New Christians may take your example and go purchase their own crucifix. If you really can separate your love for Christ from objects that supposedly represent Him but which do not, why have them at all?

A Final Word
If, after prayerfully seeking the Lord on this matter, you can wear your cross necklace with a clear conscience toward Christ, then by all means do so. Just make sure that the Lord hasn't witnessed with your spirit that it displeases Him, for "to know to do good and to do it not is sin."

Exodus 20:4-5:

Before we leave this discussion, we must not ignore the Lord's word on using physical objects as objects of worship. While these verses were directed more to golden idols and the like, we must make sure that we do not do anything that would violate it in our worship of God:

⁴ 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.

⁵ 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.