There is a reason we follow recipes, to make something that is good and palatable, and also mostly because certain ingredients do not mix. One may change the type of cheese, or use almond milk instead of cow milk in a recipe. Because some ingredients may be different, they do not ruin the final product. It just gives it a different flavor. However, you may not replace the flower in pancakes with baking soda, because you would not end up with pancakes.
In the same way we must ensure we do not mix in outside worship of idols with the true worship of God. “Well”, one might add, “I only worship God”. Yes, by everything you understand you would believe that, but here lies my point. The worship of idols can sneak into the worship of God without it being obvious to us. Idols don’t always look like little brass statues that you can place on the mantle, though some of them might stick on the car window.
An idol that stands out is easily defeated, but one that slowly works its way in becomes natural and part of a culture. The mixing of idol worship and the worship of God may not seem distasteful to us, but is grossly unpalatable to God. This is where we come to the story of Balaam and Balak. In the book of numbers we find Balak, who was king over Moab, in fear of the Jews. He sends after Balaam knowing that “he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed”(Numbers 22:6). However, God warns Balaam to only speak what he is told. This does not go over well with Balak since Balaam ends up blessing Israel three times. Chapter 24 ends with Balaam telling what was to happen in the days to come and then vs. 25 of chapter 24 says “Then Balaam arose and departed and returned to his place, and Balak also went his way”.
The next chapter begins with the Israelites playing the harlot with the daughters of Moab, feasting on food sacrificed to idols and bowing to them as well. So the question is what happened? Here was a mighty nation moving along and following God’s plan and all of sudden they are joined to Baal of Peor. We find the rest of the story of Balak and Balaam in Revelation 2:12-17.
Balaam could not curse the people; however at some point he taught Balak how to trip them up. The verse says to place a “stumbling block” in front of them. Balak placed food sacrificed to idols in front of them to eat and enticed them to commit acts of immorality. This false worship and immorality led to Numbers chapter 25 in which the Lord became angry with Israel.
So why did Israel not reject the food and worship of Baal? Simply put, the food looked good and the women were pretty. “And if all I have to do is bow, then I get hot food and hot ladies… I mean this is their culture and I want to be seen as relevant, besides I still observe the Sabbath”. These things don’t seem so wrong, at least after the 3rd and 4th time. The word for “stumbling block” could also mean “snare”. Those that hunt and fish know you don’t catch prey if the bait doesn’t look enticing and the snare or stumbling block is visible. One trips over the “block” because their eyes are focused somewhere else; they don’t see it for what it is.
So what does this mean for us? We are smart people and we have access to more information than a bunch of folks running around in the desert. But knowledge is not as valuable as wisdom. Knowledge knows what it is we do, and where we go, and where we spend our time and money. Wisdom tells us why we do it. Godly wisdom is the key in understanding which items in our lives are idols and which are true worship and which ones need to be prayed about further.
So now we come to the Church in America, which is more accurately the American Church. So what is it, you might ask, that I am getting at? That the idols have crept into the church, which means there are those of us that worship things other than or along with God. The problem is the idols are different for each of us. (James 1:14) We can worship our sexuality, our “cause” be it pro or anti this and that, or even our politics. A person running for office often becomes our savior if we are not careful. “He/she will fix everything, if we can just get them elected.” We can even begin to praise our government, singing its praises in a worship service. We sacrifice our Saturdays to give honor to our favorite sports teams, and spend our weekday nights at ball parks in service to sports.
Now is it wrong to be pro or anti this and that? Is it wrong to want good leaders? Is it wrong to watch sports and let your kids play them? Depends on what you are searching for. You see the problem is not with the meat. All things are made clean and we know that there are no other gods. However, our desire to have those “meats” drives us to compromise and worship the idols that are associated with them. There is nothing wrong with a child playing baseball; it is when the game becomes the desire of our heart, or when we praise our nation as though it is our savior. It is when we miss where the meat comes from that we are led astray. We believe that the idol provides the meat we desire, whether it be peace, justice, happiness, or protection. These things are to be sought from God. Dead idols can do nothing for us.
This brings us back to us, the church. When we are enticed by the things of the world, we must be careful that they do not become the object of our affection. Because when they do, we will mix them in our true worship. The idols will compete with our worship of God and if not thrown down we will bow our knee to them and give Sunday lip service to the one true God.
t shirt design website ai
Drag competing tshirt by dxterity styles on instagram.
Check out my homepage: t shirt design website ai
names for boy teddy bear
Cutoff shipment times might alter throughout the holidays.
my website; names for boy teddy bear
personalised teddy bears Ireland
Cutoff delivery times might change throughout the vacations.
Feel free to visit my webpage – personalised teddy bears Ireland
aromatic candles near me
A synthetic USP human growth hormone (somatropin).
Also visit my blog post; aromatic candles near me
scented candles bath and body works price
They have products to sell or solutions to supply.
Also visit my page :: scented candles bath and body works price
Bookmarks
USP human growth hormonal agent (somatropin).
my page – Bookmarks
personalised teddy bears for newborns boy
Cutoff delivery times might alter throughout
the holidays.
My web blog … personalised teddy bears for newborns boy
Bookmarks
Cutoff distribution times may alter throughout the
vacations.
Feel free to surf to my blog … Bookmarks
scented candles store near me
They have products to sell or solutions to provide.
Also visit my blog … scented candles store near me
family law attorney near me prenuptial Agreement
Authentic HGH Perks (NewULife Hgh Gel Not Examined Yet).
Look into my blog – family law attorney near me prenuptial Agreement
best scented candles bath and body works
NewULife Ranks. Welcome to my NewUlife Testimonial.
Feel free to visit my homepage best scented candles bath and body works
t shirt design application
There are numerous places to discover tee t shirt design application layouts.
personalised ashes into teddy bears uk
Cutoff shipment times may alter throughout the vacations.
my web page :: personalised ashes into teddy bears uk
Brazilian Wood Supplement Brazilian Wood Pills
Wow, this piece of writing is fastidious, my younger sister is analyzing these kinds of things, so
I am going to let know her.
Feel free to surf to my web-site :: Brazilian Wood Supplement Brazilian Wood Pills
Bookmarks
A synthetic USP human development hormonal agent (somatropin).
Also visit my web page – Bookmarks
personalised graduation teddy bear uk
Cutoff shipment times might alter throughout the holidays.
Feel free to visit my web blog – personalised graduation teddy bear uk
quinceanera dresses red mexican
In this case, the life insurance policy business’s cash.
Here is my website quinceanera dresses red mexican
family law attorney Houston Texas
They have products to sell or services to use.
Here is my webpage … family law attorney Houston Texas
Bookmarks
Allow me reveal you in my review of NewULife.
Stop by my webpage :: Bookmarks
aromatic candles near me
They have items to market or solutions to supply.
Also visit my blog – aromatic candles near me
Bookmarks
Some people vape flavorful nicotine
Take a look at my web-site; Bookmarks
aromatherapy candles near me
In this case, the life insurance business’s loan.
Also visit my blog post – aromatherapy candles near me
aromatherapy candles in bulk
USP human growth hormone (somatropin).
Feel free to surf to my web site: aromatherapy candles in bulk
Bookmarks
Cutoff shipment times may alter during the holidays.
Check out my web blog – Bookmarks
quinceanera dresses red and black
Let me show you in my review of NewULife.
Here is my blog – quinceanera dresses red and black
special process server new orleans
Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!
g2g168t
My brother recommended I might like this web site. He was totally right.
This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent
for this info! Thanks!
apply e-visa online
Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better!
Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He constantly kept talking about this. I will forward this information to him.
Pretty sure he will have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!
index
This info is priceless. How can I find out more?
Pinterest
Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clearness for your submit is just nice and
i could think you’re an expert on this subject. Fine along with your permission let me to seize your feed to keep up to date with drawing close post.
Thank you one million and please continue the gratifying work.
Feel free to visit my website – Pinterest
Lorena Windler
Your writing has a way of resonating with me on a deep level. I appreciate the honesty and authenticity you bring to every post. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
true aroma candles amazon
In this situation, the life insurance company’s money.
Feel free to surf to my web page; true aroma candles amazon
custom hats with logo no minimum
Yupoong’s front runner flat bill solid back custom hats with logo no minimum.
g2g168p
For latest news you have to visit the web and on the web I found this web page as a most
excellent web page for hottest updates.
Lucy
Let me show you in my review of NewULife.
My site; Bookmarks (Lucy)
investigation private detectives near me
Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and everything. Nevertheless imagine if you added some great pictures or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this blog could definitely be one of the greatest in its field. Very good blog!
aromatherapy Candles walmart
What is New U Life SOMADERM Transdermal Gel.
Feel free to visit my website; aromatherapy Candles walmart
t shirt design template illustrator
Brandbusters TShirt t shirt design template illustrator Task Entry.
www.news.goeasylist.com
Its like you read my thoughts! You seem to grasp a lot approximately this, such as you wrote the e-book in it or something. I believe that you simply could do with some p.c. to power the message house a little bit, however instead of that, this is great blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.
t shirt design ideas for 60th birthday
Then team up individually to develop a customized
tee.
My web blog … t shirt design ideas for 60th birthday
Annamae Hoppe
Somebody essentially lend a hand to make significantly posts I might state That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now I surprised with the research you made to create this particular put up amazing Excellent job
Bookmarks
A synthetic USP human development hormone (somatropin).
my blog post – Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Let me show you in my review of NewULife.
Look at my web blog Bookmarks
quinceanera dresses red with gold
What is New U Life SOMADERM Transdermal Gel.
my blog quinceanera dresses red with gold
Bookmarks
Our caps are available in sizes S to 2XL.
my page – Bookmarks
family law attorney free consultation dayton ohio
An artificial USP human growth hormonal agent (somatropin).
Also visit my website :: family law attorney free consultation dayton ohio
RaymondSnogy
Сайт (Магазин) chemical696 актуальная ссылка в обход блокировки.
chemical696, chemical696 biz, chemical696 bizz, chemical696 blz, https chemical696, https chemical696 biz, chemical696 biz официальный, chemical696 bizz chemical696 biz, chemical696 biz check
link
aromatic candles near me
A synthetic USP human growth hormone (somatropin).
Also visit my web page … aromatic candles near me
apply e-visa online
Hello, I check your new stuff like every week. Your story-telling style is awesome,
keep up the good work!
bokep indonesia
No matter if some one searches for his essential thing, so he/she wants to be available that in detail,
so that thing is maintained over here.