I need help understanding the situation I am in.

[JDNC]

I apologize if I posted this in the wrong section, I'm new to this website -- forums in general, really.


My question is this;

I was raised Catholic, baptized as an infant.
I have read the New Testament (KJV) for myself and realized that Catholics observes things not taught in the Scriptures.
I no longer practice Catholicism, however I do live with my family who are Catholic.

I was Baptized again, because I understood what it meant, and I consented wholeheartedly.

My family is aware about my feelings towards Catholicism.
However, they still practice it themselves.
I sleep in room full of images of what they say are saints.
The reason I don't practice Catholicism is because I was afraid I was committing idolatry.
After I put my complete faith in Jesus Christ, I feel new!
So I fear having these images up is like idolatry.

As I stated above, I still live with my family.
Is it okay that these are still up?

As long as I don't observe it myself?

Thank you,
God bless!

 

[BryanW92]

They are only idols if you let them be idols. Otherwise, they are just nice paintings and statues. Read 1 Cor 8.

 

[JDNC]

Thank you!
God bless!

 

[Bobinator]

If they're in your room and you're not sharing it with anyone else, it would seem that you have opportunity to remove them. It would be a reasonable compromise to relocate them elsewhere in the house, as opposed to getting rid of them entirely in direct opposition to your family's views. This would apply especially if you're not paying any rent.

Personally, I would try to remove them from my place of rest/sleep if at all possible, not only for any kind of spiritual impact, but visual as well. Even a picture of Jesus wouldn't meet with my approval, since pictures of God in any shape or form are not truthful to begin with.

Glad you found the Lord.

 

[JDNC]

The room I sleep is in a shared room.
Unfortunately I'm currently unemployed, but Lord willing I will find a job soon!

If it was up to me, I wouldn't have these up.
Until I move out, or explain to my family more about Scriptures, then I will just ignore those images.

I only serve the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob Israel and The God and Father of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Thank you!
God bless!

 

[joshuanazar]

They are only idols if you let them be idols. Otherwise, they are just nice paintings and statues. Read 1 Cor 8.

I totally agree with you. Except for the part about them being nice paintings and statues. I just don't like the styles. But it is all about our heart. God knows that you do worship or believe in them.

 

[Shadow316]

Glad you found Christ! I was raised Catholic too. Started separating myself from it in my early 20s. Good for you!

If you're sharing a room, I think you're stuck. Evidently the one who normally has the room alone(?) likes those things. Nothing you can do except ignore them. They are just things and can't hurt you if you don't buy into them as special or representations.

 

[Job8]

Is it okay that these are still up?

If you have the power and authority to remove the images, do so. If not, you can at least bring up this issue and tell your family that they are now against your faith, so you would like to have them moved from your room or living space.

 

[iplay4JC]

I'm so blessed to hear you've recognized the truth and stopped practicing Catholicism. I'm an ex-Catholic too and got saved in 1999. Praise God!!!

I believe you're on the right track about the images in your room. If you're able to remove them, I would do it. In fact I believe those images may be a good way for you to witness to your parents and siblings (if you have any) about your new faith.

For starters, you may want to open with Exodus 20 and start with the 1st Commandment. Although the Catholic Bible won't match up to your KJV Bible, all Catholics know not to worship false idols. (Unfortunately most don't know that they're practicing it all the time I.E. statues and images).

That's how I started witnessing to my mom who is a devout Catholic. She got so angry with my use of the Bible to share truths to her rather than doctrine/dogmas, she kicked me out of her house! We're all good now although she still practices Catholocism. However she respects the decision I made about becoming Protestant. In fact I feel honored when she asks me to give thanks for the food on holidays!

I pray you will ask for God's wisdom about how to approach this. I think eventually you will come to that narrow gate Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7. There's no doubt in mind you came to the Truth for such a time as this.

God bless you.

 

[com7fy8]

One of my big errors when I left Roman Catholicism was how I self-righteously criticized Catholics, right away. It was like a back-lash. Possibly, I did not really get saved, at that time; because I did not move into having compassion for people I knew were wrong. And I "fell" and got a good dose of feeling like an idiot, in front of all the Christians and worldly people after I had been criticizing them all.

So, I say . . . it is important to first be about loving and caring with hope and compassion for your Catholic people in your life. And ones might be into Jesus and loving, even a good example for you. So, get to know and understand each one. Don't just categorize them as "Catholics", but each is unique to get to know and find out in prayer how to do good to each person.

Most dangerous are love idols, not only man-made statues, by the way. Any of us can make an idol of a special friend or family member or special someone. And this can set us up for much more harm than a statue can. Our love idols can keep us weak and not strong for loving any and all people and bearing all the things hard or easy of this life.

An idol pleasure, for another example, can keep us weak so we can suffer pain later. Weakness for pleasure can mean weakness for pain!!

So . . . back to your specific concern >

First, I would say know who owns and controls the statues, and see if that person or those people are ok with them being removed or even gotten rid of. And if your roommate is not the owner or controller, still you might communicate in case it is a big deal for that person, and discover what is good to do, in any case.

I would go with prayer, not hurry. Even take some time to get to better know anyone who is connected with those statues (for all you know, they might just be there and not mean anything, any longer; so be open); and see if there is a way that you can make it good for the family to remove or even get rid of them Therefore, pray for how God is able to have this work out And enjoy

 

[JDNC]

So many great answers!

I have prayed about it, I would get different type of signs for what I ought to do. The first answer I received was to ignore them.
Because I know God knows my heart and who it is for!

Then me being the OCD person that I am, I asked for another sign to approach this. After a long thought, God reminded of this verse found in 1 Corinthians 14:33;

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

My fears clouded my judgement, making the situation way more confusing, overwhelming and exhausting.

I remember the first thing God showed me was to ignore, so I will ignore them.
I did ask my family if I can at least remove them from my side of the wall, and I have the okay.

com7fy8, you're right.
I guess I am just worried about my family's salvation (not speaking as someone who has won the race already) is at stake.
I know the times we are living are the End Times.

I just want to make sure every one is ready, for any moment, on any day.
I shouldn't just focus on what they are hanging on their walls, but rather their loves' priorities -- who and/or what they are.

Thank you all so very much!

God bless you all, my brothers and sisters as we see the Day approaching!