Whenever the strength of God is not recognized as the source of

John Piper’s words, “Whenever the strength of God is not recognized as the source of our strength, we are breaking the First Commandment: Do not have any gods before me,” call us back to the ancient covenant between the Creator and His people. They echo with the voice of Sinai, when the mountain trembled and the law was written in fire and stone. Piper reminds us that the danger is not only in bowing before carved idols but also in the subtler pride of the heart—when men and women believe their strength is their own, detached from the Giver of all life. To forget this truth is to enthrone self as god, and in so doing, to break the first and greatest of commands.

The origin of this teaching lies deep in Scripture. The First Commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3), is not only a warning against pagan altars but a declaration that all power, all life, and all glory flow from one Source alone. To labor, to create, to lead, to endure—these are not achievements born solely from human will, but gifts breathed into us by the Almighty. Piper unveils the subtle idolatry that creeps in when we say, “I did this by my own hand,” forgetting that even the hand itself was fashioned by God.

History resounds with examples of this truth. Recall the mighty King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who looked upon his city and declared, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built by my mighty power?” (Daniel 4:30). In his pride, he failed to acknowledge God as the source of his strength. His kingdom was shaken, and he was humbled until he lifted his eyes to heaven again. His fall and restoration serve as a living parable: to forget God’s strength is to walk the path of ruin, but to acknowledge it is to be established in true power.

Likewise, the pilgrims who crossed the stormy seas to build a new life in America did not see their survival as their own doing alone. Through famine, bitter winters, and the grave, they gave thanks continually to the God who preserved them. Their journals overflow not with pride but with gratitude, recognizing divine strength as the foundation upon which their endurance was built. They saw what Piper teaches: that human resolve, without the breath of heaven, crumbles like dust.

This lesson is timeless. In every age, men and women are tempted to trust in wealth, in armies, in intellect, or in the illusion of self-sufficiency. These become false gods when we place our trust in them above the Lord. Piper’s words pierce the heart with warning: to lean on our own power without acknowledging its true Source is to bow before idols of clay. The First Commandment is broken not only in temples of stone, but in the silence of the proud heart.

To those who hear this teaching, the path forward is clear. Each victory, each act of perseverance, each gift of skill should be crowned with gratitude. Say not, “My hand has done this,” but “God has given me the strength to do this.” In prayer, in humility, and in worship, let us return glory to the One who sustains us. This recognition does not diminish human dignity—it ennobles it, for it roots our lives in the eternal rather than the passing.

In practice, cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving. Begin each task with the remembrance of God’s provision, and end each day with acknowledgment of His sustaining hand. When challenges come, do not lean first on your own wisdom, but call upon the Lord, who strengthens the weary and uplifts the fallen. When triumphs come, do not hoard glory for yourself, but let it flow upward to the One who is the source of all triumph.

Thus, let this be the lesson to future generations: true strength is not born of man, but of God. To forget this is to fall into idolatry; to remember it is to walk in alignment with the First Commandment. Recognize Him in all your ways, and your path will be established. For the arm of flesh may fail, but the strength of God endures forever.