25 Jul 2017

I’ll Take A Bite Of That

by | posted in: Church, Culture | 12,084

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.

12084 Responses

  1. Commercial Painting Cherrybrook
    | Reply

    After going over a few of the blog posts on your web site, I seriously like your
    technique of blogging. I added it to my bookmark site
    list and will be checking back in the near future.
    Please check out my web site too and tell me
    what you think.

  4. بروزرسانی اینستاگرام
    | Reply

    I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of space .

    Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So
    i am happy to convey that I’ve an incredibly
    excellent uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed.
    I so much without a doubt will make certain to don?t fail to remember this
    site and provides it a glance on a constant basis.

  7. دستگاه ونتیلاتور Ventilator چیست
    | Reply

    Just desire to say your article is as astonishing.

    The clearness to your publish is simply spectacular and that i
    could suppose you’re a professional in this subject.
    Fine with your permission let me to seize your feed to stay updated with drawing close
    post. Thanks 1,000,000 and please carry on the enjoyable work.

  8. Captchaboss
    | Reply

    Your style is really unique in comparison to other
    people I’ve read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this blog.

  9. Hoarder house
    | Reply

    I’m not sure exactly why but this web site
    is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or
    is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later and see
    if the problem still exists.

    My web site – Hoarder house

  10. captcha skipper
    | Reply

    Hey there, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your website in Chrome, 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, excellent blog!

  11. captchacoder
    | Reply

    I’ᴠe leaгn some good stuff hｅre. Certainly price bookmarking
    for revisiting. Ι surprise how a lot attempt you
    put to make this kind of fantastic informative web site.

  22. 여기여
    | Reply

    It is in reality a great and helpful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you simply shared this helpful information with us.
    Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

    Stop by my blog post; 여기여

  23. wholesale tracksuit
    | Reply

    First off I want to say wonderful blog! I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you
    do not mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your head prior
    to writing. I have had a difficult time clearing my mind
    in getting my thoughts out there. I do take pleasure in writing but
    it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips?
    Appreciate it!

    Here is my blog post … wholesale tracksuit

  24. bulk hoodies
    | Reply

    Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks, However I am going
    through issues with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I can’t subscribe to it.
    Is there anybody having similar RSS problems?

    Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond?

    Thanx!!

    my web site :: bulk hoodies

  26. Best gold ea
    | Reply

    Link exchange is nothing else but it is just placing the other person’s weblog link on your page
    at suitable place and other person will also
    do same in favor of you.

    Also visit my web-site: Best gold ea

  27. 더킹플러스카지노
    | Reply

    Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew
    of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter
    updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this
    for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some
    experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything.
    I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to
    your new updates.

    Feel free to surf to my web-site … 더킹플러스카지노

  28. block recaptcha
    | Reply

    Ahaa, itѕ good conversation about thjs post at this place at thiѕ ѡeb site,
    I have read alⅼ that, so now me alpso commenting at this рlaϲе.

  30. Www.Encoskr.Com
    | Reply

    This design is wicked! You definitely know how to keep a reader entertained.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to
    start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job.
    I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

  31. captcha boss
    | Reply

    Thank you for another magnificent article. Where else may anyone get that type
    of information in such an ideal approach of writing?

    I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the look for
    such info.

  35. omegle
    | Reply

    Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this
    blog before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyways, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back
    frequently!

    Feel free to surf to my web blog … omegle

  44. ดูหนังxxx
    | Reply

    Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my
    4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed.
    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants
    to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

    Review my blog :: ดูหนังxxx

  46. Omegle chat with girls
    | Reply

    Today, I went to the beach Omegle chat with girls my children. I
    found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed.
    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  49. check لینک من
    | Reply

    It iѕ approρriate tіme tⲟ makе a fеw plans for thｅ long ｒun and іt’s time to Ƅe hapρy.

    Ι have гead this рut uρ аnd іf I could I want t᧐ recommend
    you few fascinating issues orr tips. Μaybe уou ⅽаn wite next articlles
    гegarding tһiѕ article. I want to learn m᧐re issues аbout it!

    Heгe iss my website :: check لینک من

Leave a Reply

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