Icons that lead to Life

Icons in the church can do much good for a believer.  To a non follower of the Way icons, are great pieces of art, that remain only at that level.  To a daughter/son of  God icons can be a great tool to lead them in a worshipful manner to the Person of Jesus Christ, or focus on the Biblical person depicted.  Icons can be very influential, and helpful.  There is something to seeing something depicted in art, or photography that touches the soul.  

Clearly icons can be used for evil as well.  If the icons themselves become a tool of worship, then they are wrong.  Although, we must remember money, power, fame, and many more things in many of our lives, can become icons of sorts.  The key is just to focus on, and allow Christ to be the center of our lives, as believers.  

Personally I think depictions of Yeshua, and other church figures, are very beneficial.  Also, as one in class brought up the other day, for those who are illiterate.  Pictures can be a form of teaching people the Holy Scriptures.  We must keep Christ the center of our focus, and "seek first His Kingdom."