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DOCTRINE OF BALAAM Monday 18 July

Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye


MEMORIZE: “Which 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 Peter 2:15).

READ: Numbers 25:1-9

After commending the church at Pergamos in Revelation 2:12-17, the Lord pointed out some of their weaknesses, one of which was having among them those who held the doctrine of Balaam. In Numbers 23, while journeying to the Promise Land, the Israelites conquered several nations until they came to Moab. King Balak was afraid of them so he consulted Balaam, a prophet, to curse them. This ploy, however, failed. At some point, Balaam advised King Balak to feign friendship with the Israelites, invite them to a feast, and get the most seductive and near-nude ladies around to entice them. It worked; they fornicated with these ladies and later worshipped in their shrines. God was so angry that He killed 25,000 of them (Num 25:1-9). The lives Balak could not destroy initially were handed over to him on a platter of gold when sin intruded. Fornication and idolatry would make you lose your worth and turn you into a piece of bread for your enemies. Sin will always sell you cheap into the hands of your enemies.

When Jesus referenced the above story in His letter to the church at Pergamos, He was saying that there were people there who taught the satanic philosophy that says ‘Once saved, forever saved’, Meaning once you have been saved, you were free to do whatever you liked. This error was turning God’s people into victims and prodding them towards God’s judgement. Ironically, the bearers of this error called themselves ‘The righteousness of God in Christ’, and believed they could take excuse from the Lord to commit adultery, provided they returned later to ask forgiveness. Wherever you worship, be careful what you imbibe. Anyone that tells you that you are free to live as you like is ensnaring you. Anyone who lures you into lust, or fornication, and tells you it’s okay is making you a victim of the doctrine of Balaam. Anyone who invites you to serve other gods is about to make you a victim of this doctrine. It does not matter whether it is a fellow minister, or member of your church. The real intention of the devil is to make you so loathsome to your Helper that He turns around to fight against you. Whenever you are being asked to violate God’s Word, know that your soul is the main target.


KEY POINT:
When Satan cannot get to you, he will push you into offending God so that God will be the one to destroy you. Do not be unequally yoked.

Bible in One year: Num. 28-30

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