The world has changed drastically. In his new world that we live in, technology has a major influence in our homes and communities as well as our political, social, educational and spiritual perspectives and views.
We are heavily bombarded with news, opinions, statistics, and innovations. We are quick to follow the latest trends, social media influencers, and controversial celebrity gossip.
Dancing with Divination
On the same scale, we quick to follow prophetic messages with hopes of the promises of good news, fortune and blessings. We desire anything that is pleasing to the flesh – eyes, ears, taste, touch even smell. Some people look to horoscopes, astrology, numerology, charms, crystals, fortune tellers, psychics, soothsayers and false prophets for the latest predictions about upcoming events like it would transform their lives like magic.
Ezk 13: 20-21
We don’t want to listen to anything that will disrupt our way of thinking or feeling. We crave comfort and lavish lifestyles and reject correction, instruction, wisdom and truth.
The world is going to continue to grow more chaotic and evil. If you’re not rooted in sound doctrine, you will not be able to stand against the attacks, plots, schemes and plans of the enemy.
We must be spiritually discerning and be careful not to align ourselves with false doctrines or mixed ideologies. You cannot call on Jesus and then give credit to the universe. The Lord created the universe and everything in it.
We will go through many difficult situations and circumstances but if we know the character and the Word of God, He will protect and guide us through every storm, valley, evil attack and corruptive agenda that’s placed before us.
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
Romans 16:17-18
We must test the spirit with the Word of God at all times. You cannot test the spirit if you do not know or understand the Word of God, His character and His ways. The Spirit of God leads you in all truth and teaches you all things in the Spirit.
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But, he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that He may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ. I Corth 2:14-16
We cannot be spiritually idle or lazy and rely on pastors, ministry leaders and prophetic voices to give us direction. We must know God for ourselves and allow Christian leaders to be the reinforcement and encouragement as well as the teachers to nurture our spiritual growth as a Body of Believers.
The world mixes good for evil and evil for good. There are so many blurred lines that the church is looking and acting just like the world. Recently, Pastor Jamal Bryant stated he wanted to bring cannibus into the church to grow His ministry. There is a serious problem when a spiritual leader is leading his sheep to the slaughter and he doesn’t see anything wrong with it. You need to know Jesus for yourselves. There’s many wolves in sheep’s clothing. Acts 20:28-30
Be sober and vigilant, because your adversary the devil is a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8
The late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was criticized for not doing more to address sexual abuse in the church. He was accused of poor handling of accusations against some priests as the head of Vatican’s doctrinal office.
When you are in the public eye or serving in ministry you have to be extremely careful of falling prey to temptations of this world and appeasing men.
Idolatry is Priority
Fame and fortune is also a snare and can lead you into idolatry. We can look at many examples in Hollywood whose life has been completely destroyed because they did not have the wisdom to handle the responsibilities that come with abundance and prosperity. They simply have money to burn on fleshy pleasures.
For the love of money is the root of all evil; while some has coveted after they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves with many sorrows. I Tim 6:10
Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is good and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Rom 12:2
Stand in the Test of Time
We are leaning into transformative times that will test our faith. In the Bible, Daniel refused to eat from the King’s plate because the meat was sacrificed to idols. Dan 1:8-16
Joseph refused to sleep with Potiphar’s wife. Gen 39:10
Shaderack, Meshack and Andego refused to bow down to the King of Babylon and the golden statue.
I’m sure you’re familiar with these stories of the Bible. They were thrown in a fire and it was heated seven times hotter than normal. They believed in God and had faith that God would save them. King Nebuchadnezzar saw four men walking in the fire unharmed. The king promoted them to a higher office and decreed that the God of Israel was to be worshipped in the land.
What are you willing to endure? Are you willing to stand alone against mockery and persecution?
The Holy Spirit provides all truth and knowledge to understand the Bible and guides us in all wisdom we need in the instruction for life.
Anything that we deem as priority or worship is a form of idolatry. Here are just a few things off the top of my head that can easily become a snare of idolatry.
Materialism:
- Technology
- Work/Jobs
- Children
- Education
- Money
- Celebrities
- Sports
- Social Media
- Food
- Fashion/Clothing
Idolatry means
1. the religious worship of idols.
2. excessive or blind adoration, reverence or devotion
We have carried the same idolatry into the 21st Century which has been in the foreshadows and forefront for decades.
There are many forms of idolatry embedded in our architecture and culture which stems from Egyptian and Assyrian traditions of worshipping the kings and gods during their time.
On Wall Street, there is a golden bull outside of the building of the stock exchange. It reminds me of the golden calf which was created and worshipped when the people lost faith on the way to the promised land.
The Black Egyptian Obelisk, known as the Cleopatra’s Needle, is part of the architecture design which consists of two monuments which are located in Themes embankment in London and Central Park in New York. It stands 69 feet high.
The most modern version of an obelisk is centered directly in front of the White House in Washington DC and stands 555 feet tall. There is also an obelisk located at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
I just realized this while writing this text that even the World Trade Center resembles an obelisk in its architecture design. These monuments are symbolic of the obelisks found in Egyptian architecture.
We must be aware of the different types of idolatry so we don’t succumb to worldly pursuits. We should regularly do a self-check or evaluation to ensure we are walking in alignment with the Lord.
The scriptures listed below relate to false prophets and false doctrines. Please take time to read and meditate on these scriptures. God is not the author of confusion. If you are a new believer and feeling lost and confused with all the noise on the internet. I highly recommend you dig into these scriptures for the truth in God’s word.
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- Warning to the Seven Churches in Revelation
- The Miraculous Power of the Resurrection
- The King is Coming
Bible Study
Ezk 13-14
Matt 6:24 and 34
Micah 2:6-11
Hosea 3-5
Mark 7:15-20
I John 4:1-6
Mark 13:22
Jer 23:16
Rev 2:20
Matt 24:11-12
Rev 16:13
Rev 19:20
Rev 20:10
Jer 23:13
Math 24:24
Jer 27:9-10
Jude 16-19
2 Corth 11:13-15
2 Tim 4:3
Matt 7:15
2 Peter 2:1
Mark 7:6-9
Deut 18:20
Gal 5:19-21
Jer 44: 1-29
Writing with Purpose 