As a Christian we should all be concerned about doing what God has taught us to be right. It is incumbent upon us to seek out His word to find His truth in the scriptures. Following Him every day not only makes sense but also is what we want to do as a lover of the one and only true living God.

. . . . Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14

   Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; Deutoronomy 11:16

   How easy it would be if Satan were to slant the truth just enough to take many souls away from God but let them think everything is just fine. After all, he knows he has lost the war already. He just wants to take a bunch more with him. The idol worship noted in the Old Testament was usually not suddenly, but incremental. Gradually over many years’ new ideas crept into the thinking and worship of the believers. It’s very strange that every sin I’ve noticed in the Bible is either associated with deception or we are warned of being deceived. Their association with pagans led them astray. And who are the pagans led by? None other than Lucifer himself. If it’s not of God then it is of satan.

   One generation were followers of Yahweh and the next generation would be immersed in idolatry. Their spouses that were taken from the heathen nations nearby led them astray. It even happened to the wisest ruler, Solomon. At the beckoning of his heathen wives, he entered into idolatry. The roots of those same beliefs and celebrations are what is a stumbling block for us today.

    And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off . . . if thy foot offend thee, cut it off . . .if thine eye offend thee: pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Mark 9:43-47

   That seems pretty serious to me when Jesus tells us remove a body part rather than be offensive to God via idolatry. He was not meaning to literally remove body parts but figuratively He meant us to GET SERIOUS when God speaks and LISTEN. He doesn’t want to hear any “YEAH, BUT’s”

   If you have read the Bible you know that God was very angry with His people when they committed the sin of idolatry. They should have listened to the many times God instructed them in His ways. But Satan goes about as a roaring lion, seeking to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

   A student of the Bible will always search the scriptures to see if what he believes is true. If its not there then why do you believe it and where did it come from? It would be just as easy to possibly believe in reincarnation. But, that’s not scriptural either. What about a belief in magicians, psychics, horoscopes or palmists. Some say it’s just an idle curiosity but God calls them false and says they cannot stand next to a true prophet of God and we should have nothing to do with them.

   What do you do when there is a temptation in your life? Should we see if we can get as close as we can without actually sinning? Should we try to just peek in on sin or allow it to be near us with out concern or even with a little curiosity? NO! NO! a thousand times NO! We should keep as far away from sin as possible. Don’t even get close. Don’t think about it. Don’t go near it. What does the model prayer in Matthew say? “lead us NOT into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

   I believe when the Bible says to “Fear God and keep His commandments”, we only have to fear the wrath of God should we be deceived without even trying to learn the truth. Notice the parable that Jesus gave about the seed that was sown and soon got choked off by thorns and briars. (Matthew 13:3-8) That is the world and all its many distractions coming into your life to take you away from the true belief.

   Did you ever hear of three men named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. It was reported to King Nebuchadnezzar that those three would not bow down to the golden idols the king had made. He ordered everyone in the land to bow down and worship His Gods. When they refused He tossed them into a fiery furnace that was so hot the guards were burned up. When he next saw them there was four persons in the furnace. There were the three guys and an angel of God (protecting them).

   If a person can be so easily led astray to believe a false doctrine, don’t you think Satan would know that and use that to his benefit whenever possible? He does just that. In fact I would speculate that Satan knows the scriptures better than a lot of Christians. He even quoted the Bible to Jesus when Jesus was at His weakest, just after His 40 days in the wilderness.

   he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: . . . . Matt 4:5

    He was quoting scripture to Jesus, the Son of Almighty God, trying to twist the words so Jesus would sin and loose favor with His Father. But what does He say in return?

    “It is also written: `Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ “Matt 4:7

   I don’t believe that God forgets to give us instructions on a particular subject. If you search with a humble heart you will find answers to all your questions. If it’s been left out, as one may surmise, it’s for a reason.

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