The Greek word eikon simply means ‘image’. However, in a religious context an icon is a piece of artwork depicting Jesus, Mary, a saint or some other religious imagery. The Bible is not against artwork that depicts things, as the temple was decorated with all kinds of pictures and sculpture (e.g. 2 Chronicles 3). And God gives some people specific artistic gifts that they might glorify Him through art (see Bezalel, Exodus 31:1-5). However, the Ten Commandments clearly state that we are not to make images of God or created things and bow down to them. The difficulty with icons or any other images is that they can become idols that we pray to and worship, rather than merely artwork we appreciate. If icons become a medium by which we pray to God, or an object of worship in themselves, then we must not use them.
