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Exodus 20:3 - The 1st Commandment - NO OTHER GODS!

TRANSLATIONS AND PARAPHRASES

Exodus 20:3 (KJV) Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Exodus 20:3 (NKJV) You shall have no other gods before Me.

Exodus 20:3 (NIV) "You shall have no other gods before me.

Exodus 20:3 (NLT) "You must not have any other god but me.

Exodus 20:3 (ESV) "You shall have no other gods before me.

Exodus 20:3 (AMP) You shall have no other gods before or besides Me.

Exodus 20:3 (CWR) Do not allow anyone or anything to become a god that you love more than me.

Exodus 20:3 (MSG) No other gods, only me.

INTRODUCTION

The First Commandment is first for a reason. God must be first in everything we do, for intimacy with God is His highest priority for our life. [Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley]

Today we can allow many things to become gods to us. Relationships, money, affirmation, work, and pleasure can become gods when we concentrate too much on them for personal identity, meaning, and security. No one sets out with the intention of worshiping these things. But by the amount of time we devote to them, we can allow them to grow into gods that ultimately control our thoughts and energies. Letting God hold the central place in our lives keeps these things from turning into gods. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

Jehovah, the eternal, self-existent, uncreated One, Himself the Source and Sustainer of all, is alone entitled to supreme reverence and worship. Man is forbidden to give to any other object the first place in his affections or his service. Whatever we cherish that tends to lessen our love for God or to interfere with the service due Him, of that do we make a god. PP 305

COMMENTARY

   The first commandment is somewhat surprising.  We would think that it would be, "Thou shalt believe in a God," a law against atheism.  There is no such law.  God took care of that in our creation.  We do not teach a baby to hunger or to thirst, nature does that.  However, we must train our children to satisfy their hungers and thirsts with the right things.
   Man instinctively believes and worships.  Nowhere does the Bible attempt to prove the existence of God.  Man is created incomplete, and he cannot be at rest until there is a satisfaction of his deepest hunger, the yearning of this soul.  The danger lies in that fact that man can pervert his worship instinct and make for himself a false god.
   St. Augustine said, "My soul is restless until it finds it can rest in Thee, O God." No false god satisfies the longing of the soul, but we can, and many do, squander their lives seeking satisfaction from false objects of worship.  So the first of God's rules for life is: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."....
   All men want to be happy, but we make a mistake when we think pleasure is the way to get happiness.  There is forgetfulness of life's routines in pleasures, but they do not satisfy the soul. Pleasure is like dope; gradually we must increase the dose with more excitement, more thrill, more sensation, until, eventually, we find ourselves groping among the tombstones of our dead passions. [God's Psychiatry by Charles L. Allen, 1953, p. 43-46]

CLOSING PEARL

   How long has it been since you were stunned by the radical grace of God? When was the last time the wonder of the goodness and glory of Jesus overwhelmed your heart and put wind in your sails? If you are looking for a mighty move of God, you won't find it by trying harder or running faster after the things of this world. If you long to experience Him anew, you may need to embrace His invitation to surrender, kneeling down intentionally before your risen King.
   Where you put your time and energy matters. You can't experience a mighty move of God if you worship the little gods of this world - money, influence, intelligence, and beauty, to name a few. God isn't satisfied with a half-hearted relationship with you. He wants all of you. He's reaching out to you, saying, Put your faith in Me. I'm your one shot. When you trust in me again and obey, watch how I come through for you.
   Nothing or no one will satisfy or give you rest for your soul except the God of heaven. Prioritize your time with God and kneel before the one true King.
   Dear God, I surrender all the ways I go about putting my trust in false hopes. I put my full trust in You. [Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio]

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Worship Me only. Whatever occupies your mind the most becomes your god. Worries, if indulged, develop into idols. Anxiety gains a life of its own, parasitically infesting your mind. Break free from this bondage by affirming your trust in Me and refreshing yourself in My Presence. What goes on in your mind is invisible, undetectable to other people. But I read your thoughts continually, searching for evidence of trust in Me. I rejoice when your mind turns toward Me. Guard your thoughts diligently; good thought-choices will keep you close to Me. (Psa. 112:7; 1 Co. 13:11) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Exodus 20:3 - Who or What Are Your God's?
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040226-0925.html

Matthew 6:33 - Make Christ First And Last And Best In Everything!!!
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250308-1405.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/