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.
moissanite bracelet
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish.
nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following.
unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly
the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this
hike.
my web page moissanite bracelet
waterproof rings
It’s really a cool and helpful piece of info.
I’m glad that you just shared this helpful information with us.
Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
My page waterproof rings
pearl hoop earrings
No matter if some one searches for his vital thing, so he/she needs to be available that in detail, so that thing is maintained
over here.
My webpage; pearl hoop earrings
moissanite pendant
When someone writes an article he/she maintains the plan of a user in his/her brain that how a
user can understand it. Thus that’s why this post is great.
Thanks!
Have a look at my website; moissanite pendant
paperclip necklace
Thanks for any other informative site. Where else could I get that kind of info written in such a perfect way?
I’ve a challenge that I am just now running on, and I have been at the look out for such info.
Feel free to surf to my blog; paperclip necklace
Waterproof earrings
If some one desires expert view on the topic of blogging
after that i advise him/her to visit this blog, Keep
up the fastidious job.
Feel free to visit my website :: Waterproof earrings
ads508
This design is spectacular! You definitely know how to
keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my
own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really
loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Too cool!
Moissanite Stud Earrings
I have been surfing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and
bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.
Here is my blog post … Moissanite Stud Earrings
thick hoop earrings
Hi there, of course this piece of writing is genuinely good and I have learned lot of
things from it on the topic of blogging. thanks.
Here is my page … thick hoop earrings
paperclip necklace
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
I’m quite certain I will learn many new
stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
Look into my website; paperclip necklace
moissanite bracelet
My programmer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less.
I’ve been using Movable-type on a variety of websites for about
a year and am worried about switching to another platform.
I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net.
Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it?
Any kind of help would be really appreciated!
My web-site – moissanite bracelet
Moissanite Necklace
I delight in, cause I found just what I used to be taking a look for.
You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye
Here is my web blog :: Moissanite Necklace
solana zayed
Thanks for finally writing about > I’ll Take A Bite Of That –
The Hus Report < Liked it!
Kala
Nicely put. Regards!
pearl station necklace
I have been browsing online more than 4 hours today, yet
I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me.
Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
Here is my blog … pearl station necklace
moissanite tennis bracelet
Thank you, I’ve just been looking for info about this topic for ages and
yours is the best I have discovered so far. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you positive in regards to the source?
Here is my site; moissanite tennis bracelet
moissanite chain
If you are going for best contents like myself, just visit this web site
every day as it offers quality contents, thanks
Here is my web site … moissanite chain
chunky hoop earrings
No matter if some one searches for his required thing,
so he/she desires to be available that in detail, therefore that thing is maintained over here.
Visit my blog post chunky hoop earrings
gold fashion jewelry
Very good site you have here but I was wondering if you knew
of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get comments from other
knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Cheers!
Feel free to surf to my webpage … gold fashion jewelry
urotech
You actually 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!
بهترین فرصت های شغلی
Outstanding quest there. What happened after? Thanks!
soccer results free live score 24 flashscore rugby
I simply couldn’t depart your web site before suggesting that I extremely
loved the usual info an individual supply on your guests?
Is going to be again often to investigate cross-check new posts
billiard lights
Attractive element of content. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to say that I get actually enjoyed account your
blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing for your feeds and even I success you get right of entry to constantly
quickly.
vela24.com
สล็อต เว็บใหญ่ อันดับ 1,เว็บใหญ่สล็อต,เว็บ ใหญ่ สล็อต,เกมสล็อตเว็บใหญ่,สล็อต เว็บ ใหญ่ ที่สุด pg,สล็อต เว็บ ใหญ่ อันดับ 1,เกมสล็อตอันดับ 1,
สล็อต เว็บใหญ่,เว็บสล็อตใหญ่ที่สุด,สล็อตเว็บใหญ่ pg,เว็บสล็อต ที่ มี คน
เล่น มาก ที่สุด,สล็อตเว็บใหญ่ที่สุดในโลก,เว็บ สล็อต ใหญ่ ๆ,สล็อต เว็บ ใหญ่ เว็บ ตรง,สล็อตเว็บใหญ่ที่สุด
Hey! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be
okay. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
thick hoop earrings
I’ll right away clutch your rss as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service.
Do you have any? Please allow me recognize so that I could subscribe.
Thanks.
my web blog – thick hoop earrings
pearl drop necklace
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our
community. Your web site provided us with valuable info
to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our whole community will
be grateful to you.
Here is my webpage: pearl drop necklace
cenforce 100
Thank you for some other informative website.
The place else may I get that type of information written in such a perfect method?
I have a challenge that I am just now operating
on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such information.
รีแมพรถยนต์
It’s enormous that you are getting ideas from this post as well as from our dialogue made at this place.[url=https://www.reddit.com/]รีแมพรถยนต์[/url]
remap คืออะไร
fivem esx scripts
Why visitors still use to read news papers when in this technological world the whole thing is
available on web?
Look at my blog post :: fivem esx scripts
Industrial construction
Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic however I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa?
My blog discusses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you happen to be interested feel free to send me
an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Superb blog by the way!
Here is my webpage … Industrial construction
fivem nopixel scripts
It’s awesome in favor of me to have a website, which is valuable for my knowledge.
thanks admin
Feel free to visit my web-site … fivem nopixel scripts
Building inspection
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful article.
Many thanks for providing this information.
Feel free to visit my site … Building inspection
moge88
It’s very simple to find out any topic on net as compared to books, as I found this paragraph at this website.
my page … moge88
GocengQQ
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well
written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
vivoslot
Hi there to every one, it’s actually a good for me to visit this web
page, it consists of valuable Information.
Foto wisuda Bandar Lampung
Generally I don’t learn article on blogs, however I
wish to say that this write-up very forced me to take
a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been amazed me.
Thank you, quite great post.
Jim
Awsome website! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am bookmarking your feeds also
sbobet
Hi there, I found your site by the use of Google while searching for a related topic, your
web site came up, it appears to be like great. I’ve bookmarked it
in my google bookmarks.
Hello there, just become alert to your blog via Google, and found that it is
truly informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels.
I will be grateful if you happen to proceed this in future.
A lot of people will likely be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
babi
It’s not my first time to pay a visit this website, i am visiting this web page dailly and obtain good information from here everyday.
mike tyson vape
Very soon this site will be famous amid all blogging and
site-building users, due to it’s fastidious posts
Also visit my blog :: mike tyson vape
Vị trí đặt lục bình gỗ trong nhà
Do you mind if I qote a few of your posets as long as I ρrovide credit and sources back to your website?
My ƅlog site is in the exact same niche ass үours
and mmy users woould realⅼy benefit from a lot oof thee information you present
here. Please let me know if thiѕ ok with you.
Many thanks!
my ѕіte :: Vị trí đặt lục bình gỗ trong nhà
phòng khám nha khoa singae dental
I pay a visit day-to-day some blogs and information sites to read content,
except this website presents quality based posts.
packers and movers nagpur
Hi this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I
wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
mike Tyson vapes
If you are going for best contents like I do, only pay a visit this site
all the time as it provides quality contents, thanks
Here is my page: mike Tyson vapes
mike tyson vape
Hey there! Quick question that’s completely 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 fix this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share.
Cheers!
my website – mike tyson vape
mike tyson vape
Piece of writing writing is also a excitement, if you be familiar with then you can write if not it is complex to write.
Feel free to visit my site: mike tyson vape
mike Tyson vapes
Hiya! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog article or
vice-versa? My blog goes over a lot of the same subjects as yours and I think we
could greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel free
to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!
Wonderful blog by the way!
My page mike Tyson vapes
mike tyson vape
I pay a quick visit daily a few web sites and information sites to
read articles, except this blog offers quality based content.
Here is my site mike tyson vape
mike tyson vape
You’ve made some decent points there. I checked on the internet
for additional information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.
Here is my web page … mike tyson vape
mike tyson vape
Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing.
The clearness for your publish is just cool and that i could think you’re an expert on this subject.
Fine together with your permission let me to grab
your feed to keep up to date with impending post.
Thank you 1,000,000 and please continue the enjoyable work.
My site – mike tyson vape