What is the meaning of the “fish” symbol so popularly displayed today? Is this proper? Is it a pagan symbol?

In recent years, this symbol has gained popularity, being displayed with the name of Jesus inside it. The Second Commandment forbids the use of any images to represent the true God. John 4:23 states that “…the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him.” Leviticus 26:1 states, “You shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither shall you set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God.” And in Exodus 20:4, we are commanded, “You shall not make unto you any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”

Also notice Deuteronomy 4:15-18: “Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any beast that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water beneath the earth” (NKJV).

Many will argue, “I am not worshipping an idol. I am showing honor to Christ.” But read what the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:21-25: “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

This symbol has its roots in the worship of the pagan Philistine fish-god, Dagon (see Judges 16:23; I Samuel 5:2-7; I Chronicles 1:10). Philistine and Babylonian priests wore head ornaments in the shape of fish heads, in honor of this false god. God commands true Christians, in Jeremiah 10:2, “…Learn not the way of the heathen…” And in Ezekiel 11:12, when pronouncing punishment upon Israel for their disobedience, God said, “…for you have not walked in My statutes, neither executed My judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you.”