25 Jul 2017

I’ll Take A Bite Of That

by | posted in: Church, Culture | 11,457

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.

11457 Responses

  2. BEST IPTV IRELAND
    | Reply

    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.

  7. هزینه اسکالپ سر
    | Reply

    It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the longer term and it’s time
    to be happy. I have read this publish and if I may just I wish to recommend you few attention-grabbing
    issues or advice. Perhaps you can write next articles relating to this article.
    I wish to learn even more issues approximately it!

  8. خروج از کشور دانشجویان
    | Reply

    I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
    Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to
    do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from.
    appreciate it

  9. ضرایب دروس آزمون تیزهوشان
    | Reply

    Hey there! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
    My blog looks weird when viewing from my iphone 4.
    I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might
    be able to correct this issue. If you have any recommendations,
    please share. Many thanks!

  10. بهترین منابع کنکور هنر
    | Reply

    Hi there I am so grateful I found your site,
    I really found you by mistake, while I was browsing on Google for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thank you for
    a tremendous post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the minute but I have saved it
    and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be
    back to read much more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.

  11. the growth matrix reviews
    | Reply

    Hey there, I think your blog might be having browser
    compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Opera,
    it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it
    has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Other then that, awesome blog!

    Here is my web-site – the growth matrix reviews

  13. website bokep
    | Reply

    You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but
    I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am
    looking forward for your next post, I will try to get
    the hang of it!

  15. تعمیرگاه بی ام و شرق تهران
    | Reply

    Greetings from California! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your
    site on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
    I’m surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my phone ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow,
    great site!

  18. تعمیر جلوبندی بی ام و
    | Reply

    Hi, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar
    one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam remarks?
    If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can advise?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so
    any help is very much appreciated.

  23. hrtc.ir
    | Reply

    Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you can be a great
    author. I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will eventually come back sometime
    soon. I want to encourage you continue your great posts, have a nice weekend!

  24. ورود به سایت کارت مدیو
    | Reply

    You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to
    be actually something that I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking forward for
    your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  26. cytotecPiorp
    | Reply

    buy cytotec online Us overnight cytotec no prescription Usa shipping cheapest cytotec on the internet buy misoprostol no prior script cheap cytotec no rx on Line buy generic cytotec in internet no hidden fees cytotec order bonus will be added, buy generic misoprostol online which are the best internet pharmacies shipping cytotec stimulant pills fedex online? cytotec discount online cytotec at florida or mehico buy cheap cytotec overnight safe online

  28. iptv aanbieders nederland
    | Reply

    Your writing has a way of making even the most complex topics accessible and engaging. I’m constantly impressed by your ability to distill complicated concepts into easy-to-understand language.

  29. Auto Event Evendale
    | Reply

    I appreciate you taking the time to write and share this insightful piece. It was clear and concise, and I found the data to be really useful. Your time and energy spent on this article’s research and writing are much appreciated. Anyone interested in this topic would surely benefit from this resource.

  30. iptv abonnementen vergelijken
    | Reply

    you are truly a just right webmaster The site loading speed is incredible It kind of feels that youre doing any distinctive trick In addition The contents are masterwork you have done a great activity in this matter

  34. درمان یائسگی
    | Reply

    Thanks for another great post. Where else may just anybody get that type of information in such a perfect means of writing?
    I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am at
    the look for such info.

  35. درمان کم خونی
    | Reply

    Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you
    access consistently fast.

  36. پک درمان سرطان
    | Reply

    Hey there! This post could not be written any better!
    Reading through this post reminds me of my old room mate!
    He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this write-up to him.
    Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

  38. درمان پروستات
    | Reply

    Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this blog.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s challenging to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and
    visual appearance. I must say you’ve done a superb job with this.

    Also, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Safari.
    Excellent Blog!

  39. درمان آفت دهان
    | Reply

    You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the article you write.
    The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like
    you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.

  40. bokep indo
    | Reply

    Spot on with this write-up, I honestly think this site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be back
    again to read through more, thanks for the info!

  44. درمان روماتیسم
    | Reply

    Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.

    Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

  45. درمان زگیل
    | Reply

    After I originally commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me
    when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment
    is added I recieve four emails with the same comment.
    There has to be a way you can remove me from that service?
    Cheers!

  46. درمان عفونت ادراری
    | Reply

    Hi there very nice blog!! Man .. Excellent ..
    Wonderful .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?

    I’m happy to search out numerous useful information here within the put up, we need develop extra strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing.

    . . . . .

  50. درمان برص
    | Reply

    Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after
    I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say great blog!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *