this is my personnel testimony for one of the reasons I am a Muslim .

as might you know, some churches have [pictures/statues] graven images . this angers God very much, in the Bible , Christians are told over a 126 times that they are forbidden to make or use images of Saints or others in their worship ,

For example;

Ex 20:4"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:"

Leviticus 26:1"Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up [any] image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I [am] the LORD your God

Graven images is a topic of interest to me because while I was visiting a Catholic church, (Catholic churches contain the most statues and pictures more than other churches) I felt the Spirit, it was so powerful and strong that I thought my heart was going to bust, it was like a hot coal filling up my chest. It was while statues were on all sides of me, behind me, in front of me, on my left and right . It was obvious others in this church were feeling the Spirit too.

Some were moaning and screaming in joy .

Although once I left the church, as soon as the spirit came, so it had left, I then realized the difference between the spirits from the statues and the spirit from God.

The spirit from the statues which I felt in the church would grab hold of your heart and squeeze until you do not know the difference between up or down , the spirit from God is more subtle but both your heart and mind are a part of it.

When I felt the spirit in the church , it was so strong and clasped the heart so tightly that your mind turns off and you are simply letting your body take control . So your body is experiencing a strong surge or a high while your mind is overlooked , untouched .

This clarified to me that I am not to chase the spirit that made me the highest, but rather the spirit that spoke to both my mind and heart.

God frequently spoke negatively about the statues, although it is not spelled out, I think it is because it was obvious that they have the potential to lead astray, to have us follow our flesh only.

Psalm 78:58"For they provoked him to anger with their high places; they moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

Psalm 97:7"All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.

Isa 42:8"I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to graven images."

we see in the Holy Qur'an:

"Ye serve instead of Allah only idols, and ye only invent a lie. Lo! those whom ye serve instead of Allah own no provision for you. So seek your provision from Allah, and serve Him, and give thanks unto Him, (for) unto Him ye will be brought back. {Holy Qur'an translation 29:17}

"And they set up (idols) as equal to Allah, to mislead (men) from the Path! Say: "Enjoy (your brief power)! But verily ye are making straightway for Hell!" {Holy Qur'an translation 14:30}

we are often warned in all the Scriptures sent by God , to avoid letting the body lead us astray and are encouraged to use our God given minds. The use of the minds is promoted in both the Qur'an and the Bible over a 100 times each .

In conclusion , the Spirit of the statues can be like a drug , leaving your mind intoxicated , this drug has captured many and has prompted them to put more graven images in their place of worship and even hang graven images against their chest to maintain this spiritual _high_ .

If a Christian comes to you and wants you to experience this intoxicating feeling , [as the anti-drug commercials tell us] "Just Say No"

Peace

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