The First Commandment: “Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me”

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God spoke to Moses from a burning bush and later gave him the Ten Commandments—written by God’s own hand. These commands were not random rules. They were given to bring order, truth, and direction to human life. God knew people needed clear boundaries to understand right and wrong and to live in peace with Him and with each other.

The First Commandment    Exodus 20:3 kjv “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”  …..I the LORD thy God am a jealous God

 

Many people say, “I believe in God,” but still struggle with stress, fear, and misplaced priorities. As a counselor, I often see people who love God but also rely on other things for security. The First Commandment speaks directly to this problem.

The First Commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God as the only true God and to worship and glorify Him alone. In simple words, God must come first in our hearts, minds, and lives. I the LORD thy God am a jealous God

 

 

 

Many people say, “I believe in God,” but still struggle with stress, fear, and misplaced priorities. As a counselor, I often see people who love God but also rely on other things for security. The First Commandment speaks directly to this problem.

The First Commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God as the only true God and to worship and glorify Him alone. In simple words, God must come first in our hearts, minds, and lives.

 

What the First Commandment Means

The First Commandment is not only about idols made of stone or wood. It is about anything that takes God’s place in our lives.

Other “gods” today can include:

Money

Power

Success

Relationships

Approval from others

Fear and control

 

 

The Bible says, “I am the LORD thy God… thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2–3 KJV).

God is not sharing His place. He alone deserves our trust and devotion.

 

 

Why This Commandment Matters Today

People often turn to other things because they feel unsafe or uncertain. Psychology shows that humans naturally look for something to depend on. When that “something” is not God, it eventually fails.

When people put their hope in money, they fear loss. When they put hope in people, they fear rejection. When they put hope in themselves, they feel pressure to be perfect.

God offers a better foundation. He does not fail.

 

A Bible Story:

1 Kings 18 (KJV)  is one of the clearest moments in the Bible where God proved He alone is real.

Israel had turned away from God and began worshiping the false god Baal. King Ahab allowed this, and the nation became spiritually confused. God sent the prophet Elijah to confront the people and call them back to truth.

Elijah asked a powerful question:

1 Kings 18:21 (KJV)
“How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” 

The Challenge on Mount Carmel

Elijah proposed a test so everyone could see who the true God was.

Two altars were built:

• One for Baal

• One for the LORD

Each side placed a bull on the altar but no fire.
The rule was simple:
Whichever God answered with fire would be proven real. 

Baal’s Prophets Try First

About 450 prophets of Baal cried out all day.

They shouted, danced, and even hurt themselves trying to get Baal’s attention.

1 Kings 18:26 (KJV)
“O Baal, hear us.”
But the Bible says:
“There was no voice, nor any that answered.”

Nothing happened.  

Elijah Prepares the Lord’s Altar

Elijah then repaired God’s altar and made the test even harder.
He poured water on the sacrifice three times until everything was soaked and a trench filled with water.

Then Elijah prayed a short, simple prayer asking God to show the people the truth.  

God Sends Fire from Heaven

Immediately, God answered.

1 Kings 18:38 (KJV)
“Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”

The fire burned everything — even the water!

The people fell on their faces and said:

1 Kings 18:39 (KJV)
“The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.”  

Why This Story Matters

This story shows:

• God is real and alive

• False gods cannot answer

• God responds to sincere prayer

• God wants people to choose Him fully

It is one of the most powerful demonstrations in the Bible of God proving Himself openly before many witnesses.

 

What Obeying the First Commandment Looks Like

Obeying this commandment means:

Trusting God above all else

Seeking God’s will first

Turning away from anything that competes with God

Repenting when priorities are misplaced

This obedience brings freedom. When God is first, everything else finds its proper place.

 

After this post – See past post regarding this topic:  Click Here.

 

 

How This Commandment Heals the Heart

As a counselor, I see anxiety decrease when people stop trying to control everything. When God is first, people learn to rest.

Putting God first helps people:

Make better decisions

Handle disappointment

Face uncertainty with peace

Live with purpose

 

The First Commandment protects the heart from false hopes.

God’s Grace When We Fail

No one keeps this commandment perfectly. God knows this. That is why He offers forgiveness and restoration through Christ.

When people realize they have placed other gods before Him, God invites repentance—not shame.

 

✔️   Reflection Question

What is one thing in your life that sometimes competes with God for your trust or attention?

 

Keywords:  First Commandment explained simply, thou shalt have no other gods Bible teaching, Westminster Catechism First Commandment, putting God first Christian living, modern idols in Christian life, biblical counseling on priorities, obedience to God alone.

Hashtags: #FirstCommandment #PutGodFirst #BibleTeaching #WestminsterCatechism #ChristianLiving #FaithOverFear #BiblicalCounseling #NoOtherGods #SpiritualGrowth

 

 

Next in the Series

👉 The Second Commandment — “Thou Shalt Not Make Unto Thee Any Graven Image”

 

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A CALL TO SALVATION:

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Romans 10:9-10⁹That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.

 John 3:5-6⁵Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷