THE BANE OF COMPROMISED FAITH!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY AUGUST 17, 2024.

SUBJECT : THE BANE OF COMPROMISED FAITH!

Memory verse: “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality." (Revelation 2 vs 14.)

READ: Second Peter 2 vs 15 - 16:

2:15: They have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

2:16: but he was rebuked for his iniquity; a dumb donkey speaking with man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

INTIMATION:

Compromised faith gives up part of something it believes in. Obedience to rules of engagement is incomplete. A right relationship with God is based on our faith—the heartfelt inner confidence that God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do. This occasions sincere and complete obedience to His laws. Unfortunately, the cares of this world—possessions, pleasures, power etc—have continued to be a bane of many having a right relationship with God, thereby compromising their faith in Him. Lack of faith in God leads to many problems. This, invariably, happens when we take over for God, trying to make His promise come true through efforts that are not in line with His specific directions. 

The passage we read today, is about Balaam, one of those noteworthy Old Testament characters who, though not one of God’s chosen people, was willing to acknowledge that the Lord was indeed a powerful God. But he did not believe in the Lord as the only true God. His faith in God was compromised. His story exposes the deception of maintaining an outward facade of spirituality over a corrupt inward life. Balaam was a man ready to obey God’s command as long as he could profit from doing so. The mixture of motives—obedience and profit—eventually led to Balaam’s death. Although he realized the awesome power of Israel’s God, his heart was occupied with the wealth he could gain in Moab. 

Balaam entered his prophetic role seriously, but his heart was mixed. He had some knowledge of God, but not enough to forsake his magic, and turn wholeheartedly to God. Although the earlier stories recorded in Numbers 22 vs 1 to Numbers 24 vs 25 portrayed Balaam as obedient to God, but eventually his evil motives and desire for money won him out (Numbers 25 vs 1 - 3; 31 vs 16). He couldn’t resist the tempting pull of money and idolatry. Haven compromised his faith, he used religion for personal advancement, a sin that God does not take lightly. And he caused the children of Israel great harm. 

The consequences of Balaam’s compromised faith to the Israelites was recorded In Numbers 31 vs 16, the Scripture says, “Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Poer, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.” And in the Book of Jude, the Scripture says, “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” (Jude 11.) 

Jude gives three examples of men of compromised faith who did whatever they wanted: Cain, who murdered his brother out of vengeful jealousy (Genesis 4 vs 1 - 16); Balaam, who prophesied out of greed, not out of obedience to God’s command (Numbers 22 - 24); Korah, who rebelled against God’s divinely appointed leaders, wanting the power for himself (Numbers 16 vs 1 - 35). These stories illustrate attitudes that are typical of those who compromise their faith in God—pride, selfishness, jealousy, greed, lust for power, and disregard of God’s will. Their outward appearance and actions—pious, church attendance, prayer, good deeds—do not reflect their inner convictions and commitment to God. 

Our society is adorned with the likes of Balaam; people who have compromised their faith: pastors, prophets, apostles, teachers, and laity. The cares of this world have a great pull on such persons, that they pick and choose what, and what not, to believe or obey in God’s laws. Many believers live through the same process. Who and what we are will somehow come to the surface, destroying any masks we may have used in order to cover up our real selves. Outwardly we appear pious, but inwardly harboring sinful desires. Efforts spent in keeping up appearances would be much better spent on finding the answer to sin in our lives. We can avoid Balaam’s mistake by facing ourselves and realizing that God is willing to accept us, forgive us, and literally make us over from within.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of un-compromised faith in You, that I will have an unfettered right relationship with You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!