I’ll Take A Bite Of That

posted in: Church, Culture | 15,209

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.

15209 Responses

  1. Betboommex

    Привет, друзья! Сегодня я хочу поделиться с вами своим опытом ставок на спорт с помощью популярного букмекерского сервиса Betboom. Этот сайт стал для меня настоящим открытием, и я хочу поделиться с вами всеми его преимуществами.
    Для начала, мне понравилось то, что на Betboom можно делать ставки на самые разнообразные виды спорта – футбол, хоккей, баскетбол, теннис и многое другое. Кроме того, здесь представлены различные виды ставок – от классических исходов матчей до экзотических ставок на количество угловых или желтых карточек.
    Чтобы начать делать ставки на Betboom, нужно зарегистрироваться на сайте. Процесс регистрации очень простой и занимает всего несколько минут. После этого можно пополнить счет и начать делать ставки.
    Одним из главных преимуществ Betboom являются высокие коэффициенты. Это означает, что при правильном прогнозе можно получить неплохие выигрыши. Кроме того, на сайте часто проводятся акции и бонусы для игроков, что также приятно радует.
    Если вы хотите попробовать свои силы в мире ставок на спорт, я рекомендую обратить внимание на Betboom. Этот букмекерский сервис предлагает широкий выбор спортивных событий, удобный интерфейс и высокие коэффициенты. Не упустите свой шанс на большой выигрыш!
    Для получения дополнительной информации и актуальных промокодов посетите официальный сайт https://t.me/s/betboom_promokody. Удачи вам и пусть удача всегда будет на вашей стороне!

  2. www.138500.xyz

    Like the album, the Pandora’s Box edition of “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” was not a commercial accomplishment,
    which Steinman took as a “private insult”.
    Sex-good podcasts like You Came First With Meghan Barton Hanson, Sex with Emily, Sexology, along with social media articles on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, have been increasingly well
    known, attracting and exclusively targeting a more youthful
    viewers who engage in open conversations and fosters conversations
    about being intercourse-favourable and particular sexual activities.
    “If you have at minimum just one first-diploma family relative with a parasomnia, you are far more probably to create a single. Lesbian partners typically use artificial insemination to reach pregnancy, and reciprocal in vitro fertilization (wherever one lady delivers the egg and the other gestates the boy or girl) is turning into extra well-known in the 2020s, though several partners simply cannot afford to pay for it. I use 2Fuck, SnapSext and Adult FriendFinder. She also masturbated even though contacting out other men’s names, like that of a male coworker, foremost her partner to think she was cheating on him. They slide into various groups, together with arousal disorders, rest-awake transition conditions, and parasomnias connected to REM (quick eye movement or dreaming time period) snooze.

  3. Quincy

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

  4. bandar slot

    Howdy would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working
    with? I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but
    I’m having a hard time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and
    I’m looking for something unique. P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!

  5. kra6.cc

    Hello, Neat post. There is a problem along with your website in web explorer, might test this?
    IE still is the marketplace chief and a big component to other people will omit your fantastic writing due to this problem.

  6. Toni

    Hi, I desire to subscribe for this webpage to obtain latest updates, therefore
    where can i do it please assist.

  7. تعمیرات سرفیس

    Hi! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I
    could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

  8. cryptoboss промокоды cryptoboss ru casino

    Используйте промокод в cryptoboss casino и получите уникальные бонусы|Новый промокод для cryptoboss casino
    Бонусный код для cryptoboss casino|Получите дополнительные бонусы с cryptoboss casino промокодом
    Только сегодня! cryptoboss casino промокод|Секретный код для cryptoboss casino
    cryptoboss casino промокод – ваш ключ к выигрышу|Играйте в cryptoboss casino с эксклюзивным промокодом
    криптобосс промокод hds5 криптобосс промокод на увеличение выигрыша .

    Успех в cryptoboss casino с промокодом
    Используйте cryptoboss casino промокод для увеличения выигрыша
    Играйте в cryptoboss casino с дополнительными бонусами от промокодов|cryptoboss casino – преимущества промокодов
    Успейте воспользоваться cryptoboss casino промокодом и выиграть больше|Получите дополнительные бонусы с cryptoboss casino промокодом|Специальное предложение для игроков cryptoboss casino: промокод|Получите привилегии в cryptoboss casino с промокодом|Увеличьте свои шансы на победу с cryptoboss casino промокодом|Успейте активировать промокод для увеличения выигрыша|Играйте в cryptoboss casino с уникальным промокодом и выиграйте больше|cryptoboss casino промокод – ваш шанс на успех|Специальные бонусы с cryptoboss casino промокодом|Бонусная программа cryptoboss casino с уникальными промокодами|Получите уникальные бонусы с cryptoboss casino промокодом|Используйте промокод в cryptoboss casino для больших выигрышей|Уникальное предложение от cryptoboss casino с промокодом|cryptoboss casino – ваш путь к успеху с промокодом|Используйте cryptoboss casino промокод для увеличения шансов на победу|Уникальные предложения от cryptoboss casino с промокодом|Играйте в cryptoboss casino с дополнительными преимуществами промокода|Играйте в cryptoboss casino с уникальным промокодом для успеха

  9. Www.297371.xyz

    What Madonna lacked in vocal dexterity she made up for in evocative diction and smart producers, many of whom weren’t superstars before she enlisted their abilities. Madonna naysayers had a much bigger platform than ever, and the teenagers discovering pop by means of their iPhones weren’t about to press play on somebody their parents’ age. Meanwhile, Madonna grew to become more self-referential, obsessed with her own biography in a manner that leaped previous confessionalism and drifted into narcissism. Nobody wanted to discuss her music anymore, it seemed – only the best way she wielded her physique. On 2008’s “4 Minutes,” her last bona fide hit, Justin Timberlake introduced her title earlier than the primary verse, as if paying his dues by way of flagrant benediction. This web page was final edited on 5 August 2024, at 11:39 (UTC). Amy Winehouse’s daddy, London cabbie Mitch collapsed on Wednesday (August 6) for the second time in a month (The Sun).

  10. cryptoboss casino промокод бездепозитный бонус

    Получите эксклюзивный cryptoboss casino промокод|Специальное предложение от cryptoboss casino
    Секретный промокод от cryptoboss casino|Увеличьте свой выигрыш с cryptoboss casino промокодом
    Успейте воспользоваться привилегией cryptoboss casino промокода|Уникальное предложение от cryptoboss casino с промокодом
    Увеличьте свои шансы на победу в cryptoboss casino промокодом|Бонус при регистрации в cryptoboss casino с промокодом
    криптобосс промокод при регистрации криптобосс промокод на участие в турнирах hds5 .

    Успех в cryptoboss casino с промокодом
    Используйте cryptoboss casino промокод для увеличения выигрыша
    Играйте в cryptoboss casino с дополнительными бонусами от промокодов|cryptoboss casino – преимущества промокодов
    Успейте воспользоваться cryptoboss casino промокодом и выиграть больше|Получите дополнительные бонусы с cryptoboss casino промокодом|Специальное предложение для игроков cryptoboss casino: промокод|Играйте с выгодой: cryptoboss casino промокод|Увеличьте свои шансы на победу с cryptoboss casino промокодом|Бонусы и привилегии с cryptoboss casino промокодом|Играйте в cryptoboss casino с уникальным промокодом и выиграйте больше|cryptoboss casino промокод – ваш шанс на успех|Специальные бонусы с cryptoboss casino промокодом|cryptoboss casino промокоды – ваш путь к успеху|Действуйте прямо сейчас с cryptoboss casino промокодом|Используйте промокод в cryptoboss casino для больших выигрышей|Уникальное предложение от cryptoboss casino с промокодом|Играйте в cryptoboss casino с уникальными привилегиями по промокоду|cryptoboss casino – играйте с выгодой с промокодами|cryptoboss casino – ваш ключ к успеху с промокодами|Получите привилегии с cryptoboss casino промокодом|Получите дополнительные бонусы в crypt

  11. sexy porn com

    As this kind of, the accessibility and availability of articles can vary dependent on a user’s geographical location. We do not have command
    above these geo-limits, and it’s essential for buyers to
    be knowledgeable that their experience with a reviewed site may possibly differ primarily based on their location. This a person is a common symptom of
    perimenopause you may not have heard considerably about: urinary incontinence.

    Our purpose is exclusively to assessment and give info about these websites, and we do not have handle over
    their content, actions, or any probable authorized problems that may perhaps occur.

    If you’d like to file and market your own model of any of these tracks,
    you have my progress permission, and I’d enjoy to listen to the final final result!
    Penn appeared as Eric in two-episode from year 8 – “The One with the Halloween Party” and “The One with the Stain.” While Eric makes an attempt to day Phoebe following understanding Ursula lied to him,
    the fact that she seems to be just like her sister would make it too odd.
    Our devoted lawful crew is organized to acquire solid and swift action to guard our rights
    and assert our reputation in opposition to any this kind of attempts.

  12. www.113999.xyz

    This is one thing that is pretty valuable, in that you will commence your romantic relationship with a person, who likes the seem of your introduction, by means of chatting to you and by listening to their voice. It arrives to the place where you genuine want to satisfy with someone who you have been chatting to. Many other types of preferred digital platforms have a variety of opportunity challenges when it will come to keeping privacy for virtual sexual intercourse. Have enjoyment and fulfill another person NOW with Hot Gozzip Chat. This article will handle why they are so significantly entertaining for anyone and tips you can use in get to use these companies to lastly come across someone in your existence that you can certainly link with on a regular basis. We are the finest when you want the top enjoyable. There are very a couple of that are in existence right now. There are so several specialty kinds out there for you to acquire edge of and some which just cater to folks who want to be socially and possibly sexually energetic with some others.

  13. Delta air reservations

    Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative.
    I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future.
    A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  14. camporn

    This thirty day period, 101 users of Congress signed a letter calling for the US Department for Justice to investigate content material on OnlyFans, principally focusing on youngster sexual exploitation. He says although the files set out instructions for working with banned material, they incorporate no demands for moderators to increase worries all-around exploitation. Special agent Austin Berrier, from US Homeland Security, specialises in investigating little one exploitation on the net. The Army reported Royal Military Police had been investigating various films. A woman, whose facial area is in no way demonstrated, seems in some video clips with the partitions and flooring fully included with rugs – and there are recurring references to travelling across Europe. In a statement, the DCMS mentioned its Online Safety Bill would introduce the toughest regulations in the entire world – and that OnlyFans would confront huge fines or be blocked if it failed to tackle illegal written content. BBC News has acquired that the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) was warned by a US anti-trafficking charity about material on OnlyFans in 2019 and specified a presentation. OnlyFans states all material can be claimed by moderators, and the organization complies with anti-trafficking laws and supplies once-a-year education to workers.

  15. Casino bonus

    Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this site, for the reason that i
    want enjoyment, as this this web page conations truly good funny stuff too.

  16. free adult web cam

    Title Directed by Written by Original air date Prod.
    Statements consisting solely of original analysis must be removed.
    There is less research on anal sexual activity among women who’ve
    sex with girls in comparison with couples of different sexual orientations.
    Porn – and porn video games – are actually being made by
    girls, for girls. Despite being a fixture of the comic e book, Two-Face never appeared on the 1966-1968 Tv collection. Predating the recognition of primetime cleaning soap operas like 1978’s “Dallas” by over a decade, the present’s frank
    therapy of adult themes resulted within the show being
    initially scheduled at 9:30 p.m. This failing ’60s cleaning soap opera
    grew to become a scores smash when it integrated a vampire into its plotline.
    Are you aware the identify of the legendary actor who hosted the ’60s horror
    and suspense anthology “Thriller”? Can you title this Star
    Wars movie the place you’ll be able to see Samuel L.
    Jackson taking part in Mace Windu? Marvel has launched 21 feature movies and
    Samuel L. Jackson has been in nine of them, so you have probably seen Nick Fury in a movie or two.
    Have you ever seen this National Lampoon buddy cop satire starring Samuel L.
    Jackson and Emilio Estevez?

  17. sex dolls for women

    July 6, 2006: The Court of Appeals issued a 4-2 decision upholding New York’s present marriage
    statutes and declining to judicially mandate the legalization of similar-sex
    marriage in New York. Of the fourteen British Overseas
    Territories, same-sex marriage is allowed in eight:
    Akrotiri and Dhekelia, the British Antarctic Territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory, the Falkland
    Islands, Gibraltar, the Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena,
    Ascension and Tristan da Cunha and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
    We are not allowed to see our grandchild because he has said I am toxic and poisonous and he wants
    to guard his household from me. It also does not assist that I’ve a problem with depression and her older sister has been sick with glandular
    fever I’ve nobody to show to as my household are all leaving the country I do not know what support teams there are please are
    you able to help me. A: This actually attracts attention to impact of
    such issues to these around them, significantly their family and children. Q: Our
    18 year outdated son has bother dealing with girl good friend problems.

  18. adult webcam sites

    Unable to kind webcams by class. Webcams load rapidly, and you will hardly ever run into relationship challenges from their stop. For case in point, attempt getting into ‘Sex’ and you will only meet up with persons for erotic chats. It is often connected with no cost fuck web pages, which are internet sites that present members the means to fulfill up with other people today for informal sexual encounters. These web pages give an enjoyable substitute to standard relationship, enabling you to meet up with and hook up with possible partners without having acquiring to be concerned about applying a credit rating card. You may possibly want to check out internet sites that aim on both fascination. In simple fact, it was launched way back in 1994. Today, AF is even now one of the most well known courting apps out there. We have only bundled applications we have practical experience with, so we know these applications inside of out. No subject wherever you are, you can constantly study out fully cost-free no indication up sex simulator or on line porn video games devoid of registration approach if you can.

  19. Alexfiz

    Дополненная реальность теперь не заоблочная фантазия, а доступная, легкая в реализации, впечатляющая, дополняющая Вашу жизнь спецэффектами и совсем недорого! Вы с легкостью можете создавать проекты с дополненной реальностью и внедрять дополненную реальность в повседневную жизнь. Внедряй дополненную реальность с легкостью и получай восторги в ответ. От Вас не требуется дополнительных знаний. Все очень просто!
    ar-t.site
    Если Вы искали:
    AR, AR конструктор, конструктор дополненной реальности, дополненная реальность конструктор, конструкторы AR, AR подарок, подарок с дополненной реальностью, дополнить подарок, оригинальный подарок, современный подарок, дополненная реальность в бизнесе, инструкция с дополненной реальностью, реклама с дополненной реальностью, дополненная реальность в бизнесе, бизнес дополненная реальность

  20. Elke

    He’s also apt to go through the emotional upheaval his alter of purpose provides on, even if he imagined he was very well ready
    for the changes he would have to make in his lifestyle.

    For our uses, relevance relates to how well the world-wide-web web
    page delivers up data on the search phrases (or phrases) that ended up
    searched. Omegle is a renowned chat website that permits
    you to connect with strangers close to the environment by text messages or video chat.
    You will have to also know that most of the rooms on this web-site aren’t absolutely
    free, since most of the people on this internet site are expert intercourse chat site performers.
    His plays, which the Encyclopaedia Britannica suggests
    include “daring fantasy, merciless invective and outrageous satire, unabashedly licentious humour, and a marked flexibility of political criticism,” are thought of some of the
    most well known illustrations of burlesque-style comedy.
    Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart participate in lovebirds in this romantic
    comedy. Do you recall which huge-time actor performed Leonard
    Hayes, a famous director who operates with Joey on a perform?

  21. sex memes funny

    The Y-ACT Program accommodates a sequence of workshops that aim to discuss little one trafficking, wholesome relationships,
    healthy digital identities, and neighborhood as a useful
    resource. The CSAM Prevention Program offers a secure surroundings for folks to study identifying trafficking
    and exploitation warning indicators, overlaying subjects similar to on-line security, managing discussions with
    youth, and utilizing neighborhood assets, with
    packages out there in each English and Spanish at no cost. 3.Three Commercial
    Sexual Exploitation of children and Young People.
    The PACT Training Institute offers training for professionals working with children on human trafficking, covering purple flags and steps to take when issues
    arise, aiming to equip workers with confidence in addressing complicated issues,
    ultimately fostering environments where children feel safe to hunt help.
    The biological dad and mom later confronted the couple and
    zoo employees returned the chick to them. Last however not least, it is
    vital for folks to emphasize that secrets “ought to always be shared with a trusted grownup”.

Leave a Reply

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