25 Jul 2017

I’ll Take A Bite Of That

by | posted in: Church, Culture | 12,103

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.

12103 Responses

  4. Timothyrem
    | Reply

    Howlogic Kft: Update zum Kündigen und Abo-Falle

    Die Firma Howlogic Kft hat einen Anzeigentext auf einem Portal eines Radiosenders veröffentlicht. Im Text wird das Unternehmen mit Sitz in Ungarn als „führend“ beschrieben. Sie soll ihren Kunden die Möglichkeit bieten, Online Dating Portale zu betreiben. Wir haben uns den Text genauer angesehen und kommentieren die aktuellen Entwicklungen zu den Themen Kündigung und Abos.

    Anzeigentext soll Überzeugungsarbeit leisten
    Zwei Dinge fallen beim Lesen des Artikels „Abo-Falle – Howlogic Kft? Was die Anwälte sagen“ besonders auf. Zum einen amüsierte uns die Aussage am Ende des Beitrags, in dem es heißt, dass etwaige Kunden sich nicht mit „künstlichen Intelligenz herumzuschlagen“ müssen, sondern „echten Support erhalten“. Der Text wirkt auf uns ebenso „künstlich“, als ob ChatGPT mit passenden Schlagwörtern wie „Kündigen“ oder „Führend“ gefüttert wurde.

    Zum Anderen sind wir verwirrt, wer denn nun die eindeutig zweideutigen Online Dating Portale, über die wir an anderer Stelle geschrieben haben, letztendlich betreibt. Im Impressum einer der noch funktionierenden Webseiten („Scharfeliebe“, Stand 10.10.2023) finden wir nach wie vor nur die Howlogic Kft als Betreiberin, wie bekannt aus Ungarn. Im verlinkten Text ist jedoch die Rede davon, dass Dating-Portale als „Auftrag“ übergeben werden – doch von wem? Wer beauftragt die Howlogic mit der Bereitstellung eines Dating-Portals mit allem Drum und Dran? Und warum ist der Auftraggeber dann nicht als die Person genannt, welche für den Inhalt verantwortlich sein soll?

    Keine Abofalle, weil seriös?
    Der online veröffentlichte Text (s.o.) präsentiert Howlogic Kft in einem positiven Licht. Mit Mühe und guten Worten sollen die Leser überzeugt werden, dass es sich nicht um eine Abofalle handelt. Wir zitieren die logische Schlussfolgerung, passend zum Namen, aus dem oben genannten Anzeigentext:

    „Besonders angenehm ist jedoch die hohe Qualität der erbrachten Leistungen. Somit ist die Seite seriös und Verbraucheropfer von Abofallen entstehen hier nicht. Haben Verbraucher unbeabsichtigt ein Abo abgeschlossen, dann handelt es sich nicht um eine spezielle Abofalle. Vorsicht Abofalle? Nicht bei Howlogic Kft!“

    Zitatende. Also weil die Qualität so „hoch“ sein soll, muss es sich um eine „seriöse“ Seite handeln? Aha. Und wenn Verbraucher unbeabsichtigt ein Abo abschließen, was durchaus vorkommen kann, dann handelt es sich laut Howlogic nicht um eine „spezielle“ Abofalle. Diese Argumentation lässt zahlreiche Fragen offen.

    Online-Dating-Portale: Howlogic Kft weiterhin aktiv
    Auch im weiteren Verlauf dieser wahrscheinlich gut gemeinten Anzeige wirken die Überzeugungsversuche immer verzweifelter. Noch ein Zitat: „Zahllose deutschsprachige Datingseiten werden bereits von Howlogic betrieben und es werden täglich mehr. Von Themen wie zum Beispiel Howlogic kündigen oder Abofalle und Rechtsanwalt ist keine Rede mehr.“ Zitatende.

    Das können wir an dieser Stelle nicht bestätigen. Wir berichten weiterhin über teure Abos auf Dating-Portalen und wie sich VerbraucherInnen wehren können. Unsere Mitgliedern haben sogar die Möglichkeit, sich durch unsere angeschlossenen Rechtsanwälte beraten zu lassen. Wir würden demzufolge widersprechen: es ist weiterhin ein Thema. Vielleicht im Angesicht dieser Anzeige mehr als zuvor.

    Inkasso droht
    Das Problem bei vielen Online-Dating-Portalen sind die Klauseln in den AGB, besonders hinsichtlich der Abo-Laufzeit. Wann kann gekündigt werden? Verlängert sich das Abo automatisch? Wird ein Jahresbetrag gefordert oder kann monatlich gezahlt werden? All die Fragen werden üblicherweise in den AGB beantwortet. Diese werden kurz vor der Anmeldung auf Online-Dating-Portalen dargestellt, ohne einen gesetzten Haken geht es oft nicht weiter.

    Nur ist es leider so, dass sich zahlreiche betroffene Verbraucher und Verbraucherinnen bei uns melden, da es zu Problemen oder zu unerklärlichen Abbuchungen durch Firmen kam, die in Zusammenhang mit Online-Dating-Seiten stehen. Wird nicht gezahlt, kann eine Inkassoforderung der nächste Schritt sein, was u.a. noch mehr Kosten bedeutet. So weit muss es nicht kommen. Reagieren Sie.

    Hilfe bei Howlogic Kft
    Haben Sie Erfahrungen mit Webseiten der Howlogic Kft oder gar eine Zahlungsaufforderung durch ein Inkassounternehmen erhalten? Nicht den Kopf in den Sand stecken, sondern unbedingt reagieren, da weitere Kosten entstehen können. Gerne helfen wir Ihnen mit allgemeine Informationen via E-Mail und Telefon.

  12. Richland sustainable hardwood environmentally friendly
    | Reply

    I think everything said made a ton of sense. However, what about this?
    what if you wrote a catchier title? I ain’t suggesting your information is not good., however suppose you added something that grabbed a
    person’s attention? I mean I’ll Take A Bite Of That –
    The Hus Report is a little boring. You should glance at Yahoo’s front page and note how they create article headlines to grab viewers to open the links.
    You might try adding a video or a pic or two to get readers interested about everything’ve got to say.
    Just my opinion, it would make your website a little livelier.

    my page: Richland sustainable hardwood environmentally friendly

  13. Hardwood floor warranty information guarantees
    | Reply

    What i do not realize is if truth be told how you are now not really a
    lot more smartly-liked than you might be now. You’re very intelligent.

    You know thus significantly on the subject of this matter, produced me individually imagine it
    from a lot of various angles. Its like men and women aren’t involved until it’s something to do with Woman gaga!
    Your personal stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!

    my web site :: Hardwood floor warranty information guarantees

  21. 나비안마
    | Reply

    I every time used to study post in news papers but now as I am a user of internet thus from now I am using net for content,
    thanks to web.

  26. Health and Wellness blog
    | Reply

    An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a
    co-worker who had been conducting a little research on this.

    Health and Wellness blog he in fact bought me lunch
    due to the fact that I discovered it for him…
    lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this issue here on your blog.

  29. Health and Wellness blog
    | Reply

    Hey I am so delighted I found your site, I really found you by accident, while I was searching on Aol for something else,
    Nonetheless I am here now Health and Wellness blog
    would just like to say kudos for a tremendous post and a all round exciting blog
    (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go
    through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also included
    your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read
    more, Please do keep up the great jo.

  35. patong harbor view condos
    | Reply

    What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found
    It positively useful and it has aided me out loads.
    I hope to contribute & help different customers like its helped me.

    Good job.

  38. Rob
    | Reply

    Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided
    to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I love the info you present here and can’t wait to take a
    look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my phone ..

    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, amazing blog!

  39. oren4d
    | Reply

    It’s difficult to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!

    Thanks

    Also visit my web-site oren4d

  41. bang4d
    | Reply

    Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post
    reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this.
    I will forward this page to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.
    Thank you for sharing!

    Here is my webpage: bang4d

  42. marga4d
    | Reply

    hi!,I really like your writing so so much! share
    we keep in touch extra about your post on AOL? I require
    an expert in this space to unravel my problem. May be that’s
    you! Looking forward to see you.

    Also visit my web-site: marga4d

  43. marga4d
    | Reply

    Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading?
    I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if
    it’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

    My blog post :: marga4d

  44. oren4d
    | Reply

    You can definitely see your expertise in the work you write.
    The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe.
    All the time follow your heart.

    my blog oren4d

  45. Health and Wellness
    | Reply

    I’ve been browsing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never
    found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me.

    In my view, if all webmasters Health and Wellness bloggers made good content as you did, the web
    will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  48. Jogue o jogo Aviator por dinheiro cassino de graça
    | Reply

    I every time used to study piece of writihg in news papers but now
    as I am a user of web herefore from now I am using net for posts, thanks to web.

    Jogue o jogo Aviator por dinheiro cassino de graça

    Still, iGaming isn’t banned to bijngo forr feminine players as there are additionally quite a lot of other casino video games those women sure loves.
    While visiting a Macau on line casinoo mision in 2007, Adelson defended China’s communist rulers towards critics of the
    Asian big’s human rights file, together with U.S.
    Overall, we’re pleased with the options listed for
    depositing funds onto Sports Interaction.

Leave a Reply

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