Be Sober And Vigilant
While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices of their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the LORD's anger burned against them.
The LORD said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the LORD's fierce anger may turn away from Israel." So Moses said to Israel's judges, "Each of you must put to death those of your people who have yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor." Numbers 25:1-5
The LORD said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the LORD's fierce anger may turn away from Israel." So Moses said to Israel's judges, "Each of you must put to death those of your people who have yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor." Numbers 25:1-5
The corrupt prophet, Balaam, did not succeed in his attempt to destroy Israel through a curse.
But Balaam did not give up on his desire to see the ruin of Israel. His wishes were fulfilled when the men of Israel began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women in Shittim. They ate their sacrificial meals and bowed down before their gods. God exacted judgment by asking that those involved be put to death in broad daylight. Relatives were to kill relatives!
We read in Numbers 31:16 that it was Baal who advised the women of Moab to seduce the Israelite men and cause them to be unfaithful to God!
We have a real adversary who is prepared to wait for however long it takes to create havoc in our lives. Nothing is off-limits when it comes to what Satan will do to entice and destroy God's children. No wait is too long for him! After failing in his temptation against Jesus, the Bible tells us in Luke 4, "When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time." That's how relentless Satan is. He never gives up! He waits for an opportune time!
But we are not defenseless. The Bible commands us to be sober and vigilant because our adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. That means Satan is continually looking for an opportunity to swallow someone so we must be watchful.
I want to encourage you to be sober and vigilant as the Bible says. Don't be fuzzy in your thinking. Be clear-minded at all times so that you can resist the enemy no matter what shape or fashion he appears in! Don't take any seductive bait he offers. It is definitely not worth it.
Stick to the scriptural admonition: Be sober and vigilant. Resist him and he will flee!
But Balaam did not give up on his desire to see the ruin of Israel. His wishes were fulfilled when the men of Israel began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women in Shittim. They ate their sacrificial meals and bowed down before their gods. God exacted judgment by asking that those involved be put to death in broad daylight. Relatives were to kill relatives!
We read in Numbers 31:16 that it was Baal who advised the women of Moab to seduce the Israelite men and cause them to be unfaithful to God!
We have a real adversary who is prepared to wait for however long it takes to create havoc in our lives. Nothing is off-limits when it comes to what Satan will do to entice and destroy God's children. No wait is too long for him! After failing in his temptation against Jesus, the Bible tells us in Luke 4, "When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time." That's how relentless Satan is. He never gives up! He waits for an opportune time!
But we are not defenseless. The Bible commands us to be sober and vigilant because our adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. That means Satan is continually looking for an opportunity to swallow someone so we must be watchful.
I want to encourage you to be sober and vigilant as the Bible says. Don't be fuzzy in your thinking. Be clear-minded at all times so that you can resist the enemy no matter what shape or fashion he appears in! Don't take any seductive bait he offers. It is definitely not worth it.
Stick to the scriptural admonition: Be sober and vigilant. Resist him and he will flee!
Prayer: Father, I am grateful for your word of admonition. Help me to be circumspect at all times. Help me to be vigilant so that I can recognize and reject any enticing thing from the adversary. Amen.