25 Jul 2017

I’ll Take A Bite Of That

by | posted in: Church, Culture | 12,095

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.

12095 Responses

  1. 로우 바둑이
    | Reply

    Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is valuable and everything. Nevertheless
    think of if you added some great visuals or videos
    to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with
    images and video clips, this website could certainly be
    one of the best in its field. Wonderful blog!

    Also visit my page … 로우 바둑이

  7. Painters Galston
    | Reply

    Great blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring
    writers? I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m
    a little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a
    paid option? There are so many choices out there that
    I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Many thanks!

  8. House painting near me
    | Reply

    Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
    You obviously know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence
    on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something informative to
    read?

  9. Painters Sydney North West
    | Reply

    The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a
    forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has 83
    views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share
    it with someone!

  10. پرستاری در منزل تهران
    | Reply

    I’m really loving the theme/design of your blog.
    Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues?
    A small number of my blog audience have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari.

    Do you have any tips to help fix this issue?

  14. klikbola
    | Reply

    I always emailed this weblog post page to
    all my contacts, for the reason that if like to read it after that
    my contacts will too.

    Look at my web site: klikbola

  15. Upper Mustang
    | Reply

    Hi there, I discovered your web site by way of Google even as looking for a comparable topic, your web site came
    up, it appears to be like good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, just was alert to your weblog via Google, and
    located that it is really informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels.
    I’ll be grateful for those who proceed this in future.
    Lots of people might be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

    My blog – Upper Mustang

  19. website
    | Reply

    Its like you read my mind! You appear to understand a lot about this, like you wrote the
    e book in it or something. I believe that you just can do with a few % to pressure the message home a
    little bit, however other than that, this is fantastic blog.
    An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.

    Here is my webpage: website

  20. data hk
    | Reply

    Fastidious respond in return of this matter with genuine arguments
    and telling the whole thing concerning that.

    Have a look at my web page data hk

  21. Himalayas
    | Reply

    I got this web site from my friend who informed me concerning this website and at
    the moment this time I am visiting this web page and reading very informative content here.

    My page; Himalayas

  23. data hk
    | Reply

    Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website so i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting to find things
    to enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

    Have a look at my web page … data hk

  24. adobe full crack
    | Reply

    Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice
    from an established blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog?

    I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
    I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to begin.
    Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Thank you

    Here is my site adobe full crack

  25. ChristianGycle
    | Reply

    Во-первых что собираюсь всем вам намекнуть посмотреть web-сайт https://porn0hd.online . Только там найдутся видосы с участием привлекательных матушек. Потому что половая жизнь с этими опытными дамами не в силах променять никто, аналогичное теплое чувство оргазма.

  27. situs agen bola online
    | Reply

    I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and
    was wondering what all is needed to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog
    like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet smart
    so I’m not 100% sure. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers

    Here is my site – situs agen bola online

  28. data sgp
    | Reply

    Actually no matter if someone doesn’t understand then its
    up to other visitors that they will help, so here it happens.

    Take a look at my webpage – data sgp

  32. Jun88
    | Reply

    Very good blog you have here but I was curious if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
    I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get
    feedback from other experienced individuals that share the same interest.
    If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
    Appreciate it!

  33. Painters Western Sydney
    | Reply

    Undeniably consider that that you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be at the
    net the easiest factor to be aware of. I say to you,
    I definitely get annoyed even as people think about issues that they just
    do not recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the entire thing without having side effect
    , other folks can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.
    Thanks

  35. Una
    | Reply

    Great post but I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more
    on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more.

    Appreciate it!

  41. SEO
    | Reply

    What’s up Dear, are you in fact visiting this website daily, if so then you will without doubt
    take nice know-how.

    my homepage SEO

  43. manadototo daftar
    | Reply

    I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly
    the same nearly very often inside case you shield
    this hike.

    Feel free to surf to my blog: manadototo daftar

  46. slot online
    | Reply

    We stumbled over here coming from a different web page
    and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you.
    Look forward to finding out about your web page
    repeatedly.

    Feel free to surf to my webpage – slot online

  47. sexual health
    | Reply

    Simply want to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your submit is just spectacular and i could
    suppose you are a professional on this subject.

    Well together with your permission allow me to seize your
    RSS feed to keep up to date with imminent post.
    Thank you one million and please continue the gratifying work.

    Stop by my web site – sexual health

  48. sexual health
    | Reply

    Terrific post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject?

    I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
    Thank you!

    Here is my web blog sexual health

Leave a Reply

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