Grace Bible Church
Pastor Teacher
Robert R. McLaughlin
Wednesday October 11, 2017
The inordinate attachment or extreme devotion to something is much more difficult for even mature Bels to really see within their own lives.
Once you have had that inordinate occupation with something eventually it leads us to some form of worship or paying homage to something or someone outside the PPOG for our lives.
Jdg 2:12 They forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, And followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the Lord to anger.
Pro 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Idolatry for us or even for this generation that came after Joshua and Caleb passed away never happens overnight.
Gen 15:3 And Abram said, “Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.”
This is not the first time God promised Abram offspring, or a great nation started by him. Gen 12 & 13 show us Abram was aware that God was going to not only use him, but bless him in this area.
Eliezer of Damascus was a servant, though it was common practice in ancient times to adopt, this shows that Abram was not fully trusting in God.
Often times we follow traditions and standards set by others that eventually lead us to a place of occupation with how to keep up with herd.
Herd mentality.
Idols can be born from a mental attitude that begins to focus on what others have or what we lack as well living up to a standard set by man.
Psa 73:3 For I was envious of the arrogant, As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Pro 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
To covet something or someone means a strong desire is eating at a person’s soul consistently. This is the early steps toward idol worship.
Gen 16:6 But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your power; do to her what is good in your sight.” So Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence.
Those involved in covetousness are destined to get involved in idol worship. They also develop tendencies toward cruelty concerning anyone who gets in between themselves and their idol.
Abram loses control of his household because he feels despair over the whole situation. Abram wanted so badly to have a son that he was willing to sacrifice his leadership role.
Wealth, family, success, relationships are all part of the plan of God…but they need to be done within God’s timing & with God having priority over all else in the Bel’s life.
Pro 14:12 there is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death.
Pro 30:12 There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes, Yet is not washed from his filthiness.
Kind- DOWR, meaning a generation or a group of people.
Idol worship will lead to extended periods of misery & confusion, for the Bel it can also consist of a loss of rewards in time and in eternity.
At times, God will remain silent within the life of a Bel who continues to reject His plan & seek pleasure or answers in the devil’s world.
Gen 21:12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.
Notice that idol worship leads us outside the PPOG and into some form of bondage that will take supernatural intervention to get us out from the problem.