To have no other gods before God means to recognize and worship the Lord alone as the one true God, giving Him exclusive devotion and ultimate allegiance. This is the first commandment, and it sets the foundation for all others.
Exodus 20:3 states:
“You shall have no other gods before Me.”
The phrase “before Me” does not suggest that other gods may exist alongside Him but that nothing may take His place or compete for our loyalty. God demands absolute supremacy in the hearts of His people because He alone is the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of life. Idolatry in any form, whether worshiping false deities, created things, wealth, power, or self… violates this command.
Deuteronomy 6:14 warns:
“You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you.”
This commandment calls for exclusive love and trust in the Lord. Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 4:10 when He said:
“You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.”
Practically, this means rejecting anything that rivals God in our affections or obedience. False gods today may not be carved images but idols of the heart: possessions, ambitions, or relationships that replace God as the highest priority.
To have no other gods before Him is to acknowledge that He alone is worthy of worship and to live in total devotion to Him. It reminds us that true freedom and blessing come when God reigns supreme in our lives.
