Abiding

Our Sin Should Lay us at His Feet [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

“Sin lieth at the door.” Genesis 4:7

One writer takes a shot at this in the following words:

“Jesus died for our sins. He is the sin offering for all humanity: past, present, and future. So the offerings in the Old Testament represent the Cross. So in short, if you reject the offering, meaning Christ and the Cross, ‘then sin lieth at the door.’ This means sin will DOMINATE you if any other method is used.”

“Sin lieth at the door” – Temptation to sin presents itself perpetually and this is why prayer, abiding communion, perpetual communication with the Savior, command central, is imperative. For therein does divine virtue flow into the life of the abiding, wayfaring saint. Sin entices and draws us to enter therein, to enter into its pleasure and grasp which leads to spiritual death (James 1:13-16).

If sin doesn’t matter to you it’s only because God doesn’t matter to you. He sent His only begotten Son to die to take it away (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; Romans 6:1-2, etc.). Remember, the LORD is “Holy, holy, holy” and “commandeth ALL men everywhere to repent” and to “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (Acts 17:30; 1 Peter 1:15-16)

WHAT do we have without a heart after God? Religion (Acts 13:22).

This is why Jesus instructs and teaches us to:

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

“Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Hebrews 12:4

Let’s widen the lens on this passage, shall we?

Jesus is the Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Hebrews 12:1-4

Our sin is the occasion for God to show His mercy afresh on us!

“And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 12:14

Overcoming sin involves a truly abiding life with Christ – seeking His face “continually.”

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

Separated from Sin or Separated from God?

Repentance is ground zero the disciple must return to as often as needed.

“For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.” Psalms 5:4

Separated UNTO the LORD so that we’re not eternally separated FROM Him (John 15:6).

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” Hebrews 12:14-17

God is holy and therefore sin separates us from Him.

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2

IF you still count one sin to be above another, it’s due to not yet understanding that God is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).

Sin sends the message for us to draw nigh unto the LORD James 4:6-10.

The same list of soul damning sins that includes fornication, murder, and adultery, also includes hatred, strife, envyings (Galatians 5:19-21).

Listen to the Holy Spirit through James:

“But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” James 2:9-11

Any and all sin must never be taken lightly by the disciple of Jesus. Be not deceived: Unforgiveness will damn the soul to the same hell as adultery, murder, fornication, etc.

Of holiness, one writer notes:

“Holiness speaks more to nature than it does conduct. Good conduct is the spontaneous byproduct of the new nature of the new creation man thru the cross and death to the old man nature. We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor 5:17-18). To preach holiness as conduct without the new nature thru the cross understand is legalism. Holiness is actually derived from ‘wholeness’, meaning the thorough transformation of the whole tripartite man (1 Thess 5:23). So many of these ‘holiness’ preachers are preaching nothing but conduct under law. Law arouses sinful passions and causes sin to increase and was given in order to provoke transgressions (Rom 7:5-20; Gal 3:21). They are enemies of the cross!”

NO, we can’t overcome sin through the works of the flesh, and yet, if your pastor is justifying sin, he’s a wolf (Galatians 3:3; Romans 4:4-5; 6:14, etc.). Is he forthrightly, regularly preaching the preeminent biblical truth that God is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). Only through Christ’s cross prescription, and the resulting resurrection grace of the Spirit and grace of God, is sin conquered in the life of the individual saint (Romans 6:3-14; 8:13-14, etc.). Holy Scripture informs us that Jesus came and died to deliver His people from “ALL iniquity,” all (Titus 2:14). Jesus died, was buried, and raised again from the dead to save His people “FROM their sin” and not in their sin (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29). HE alone is able and as we come to Him afresh, laying down our lives, crying out “He must increase, but I must decrease,” the reciprocal divinely-enabling grace of Christ will begin working in our lives – as we look for the soon return of the Savior who’s coming back for a people, a church that is set apart to Him – to “present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (John 3:30; Ephesians 5:25-27).

We definitely want to stay completely clear of putting anyone in bondage, under the lie of thinking THEY have to overcome all sin, all by themselves. No. According to the record of Holy Scripture, Jesus finds and saves us, we abide in Him, working out (not for) our salvation with fear and trembling, and God works in His people “both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (John 15; Philippians 2:12-13, etc.). The follower of Jesus, willingly consenting to the cross daily, is raised up by the Holy Ghost, in the power of the divine Holy Spirit, living pleasing to the Father (Romans 8:11-14, etc.). “Trying to live the Christian life” in the flesh is a futile endeavor and yet submitting to Christ’s cross principle brings His resurrection life which produces “fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Romans 6:22).

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5

“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3

Yet it must be acknowledged that God is Holy and will not remain in fellowship with those who live in sin….

HIS children are responding to His initiating grace. Jesus beckons “Come unto me” and Paul tells us that as we work out (not for) our salvation with fear and trembling that it is “GOD which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 2:12-13).

At times, do we not cry out in our toil, “But I just can’t do it!” True. But HE sure can, right? Yes – Ephesians 3:20 anyone? Jesus is always able to bring to pass what He stated in His Word, what He commands, expects, and ordains in our lives. No I’m not talking about some fleeting temporal trinket we may be asking Him for but rather His holiness in us, to truly be crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20). The cross is central to the Christian faith – beginning with Christ’s redemptive cross and then His requirement that those who would follow Him, to deny themselves, take up the cross (consent to being dead and buried, crucified with Christ), and follow Him (Luke 9:23-24).

If we don’t truly repent which always results in separation from sin, we shall be eternally separated from God (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 7:1 Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

WHAT’s so ugly about holiness? The Bible says holiness is beautiful. Why then do those pretending to represent the LORD despise and intentionally ignore this divine attribute, this essential doctrine?

Divine holiness is beautiful and how beautiful it is in our own lives. Four times, Holy Scripture informs us of how beautiful the holiness of God is ……

“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS.” Psalms 29:2

“O worship the LORD in THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS: fear before him, all the earth.” Psalms 96:9

“Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the BEAUTY OF HOLINESS.” 1 Chronicles 16:29

“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the BEAUTY OF HOLINESS, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.” 2 Chronicles 20:21

OUR LORD Jesus is “SEPARATE FROM SINNERS” – “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, SEPARATE FROM SINNERS, and made higher than the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26).

When wolves teach anything except the image of God conveyed through HIS Word, they teach a “another Jesus,” “another gospel,” under the influence of “another spirit,” (Satan) and are “accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Corinthians 11:2-5).

Holy means separated unto God. Holiness is the work of God in the true born again, PRESENTLY abiding saints who love and therefore obey Jesus in the cross life daily. Make no mistake, this is the only Heaven-bound remnant (John 15:1-6; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Revelation 2-3, etc.). Holiness, separation to God begins in an instant, right where we are…. upon repentance, believing upon the LORD Jesus Christ, truly, by faith.

“…purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:9

Catering to counterfeits, fake preachers prove they have no fear of the LORD by their catering to the sin of men. They constantly confirm men in their sin that Jesus died to take away – to save them “FROM” and not in (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; Titus 2:14, etc.). They are weak moral cowards and preach soft little sin-justifying messages that accommodate the sin of other compromisers who purposely ignore that the Judge of every eternal soul is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). These are the very peddlers of false grace Jude warned us about – the OSAS/eternal security wolves – “ungodly men.” Jude warns us that they are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (license to sin)“ (Jude 4).

Jesus came and died because God is Holy and cannot dwell with sinful beings. The fall of man made Jesus’ coming essential – to redeem, to forgive those who will ask. IF sin were not so severe – the eternal consequence of it, why did Jesus teach the extreme action of cutting off the hand, plucking out the eye of any sin that causes us to offend divine holiness? Mark 9:43-49 <<<< read this in the King James Bible because Satan’s fake “bibles” removed these words of Jesus and put a lie of a note in the margin to justify their wickedness.

Scripture says that sin brings death which is separation from God (Ezekiel 18:4; 33:12-13; Romans 6:23; James 1:15, etc.).

The deception of our own deceitful, desperately wicked hearts and Satan, is that God is somehow going to overlook the sin we refused to confess, repent of, and refused to die to, to rid our lives of. Not going to happen – doesn’t matter how special you think you are. If a person dies in sin – they are going to hell irrevocably. Gospel. The wages of sin is still death saints (Romans 6:23).

Without fail, those who teach Satan’s OSAS/eternal security heresy, never teach the essential Biblical truth that God is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). They’ve been taught a “check your ticket at the door” “eternal security.” They are made to believe that they are free to live in sin and are still going to Heaven, no matter what. But this is not what Scripture teaches. “Be ye holy for I am holy” is Holy Scripture never heard among the diabolical perpetrators of the OSAS heresy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

WHO are we to question the Almighty? Repent and take Him at HIS WORD is what all true, all Heaven-bound disciples do!

Fasting earns nothing from God. No, a time of fasting and prayer is the wise decision to declare “Jesus, I love You and I want You to consume my life!” Saints, today is our day to drive our stake in the ground by scheduling a time of fasting and prayer (Matthew 6:16). Broken yokes, deliverance, wholeness, and fruitfulness for His glory await as Jesus manifests Himself in and raises up those that be bowed down (Psalms 145:14; Isaiah 58; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; James 4:10).

In fasting, the flesh is starved while the spirit man is unshackled and released to soar. “Every yoke” shall be broken by the LORD (Isaiah 58:6). It’s the cross – death and burial of you while Christ frees and raises your life upward! Isaiah 58 saints.

Here are passages false teachers never mention and if they do, they attempt to soften the blow. Devils (1 Peter 1:15-16).

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

False preachers are too busy tickling your ears to teach Holy Scripture on the holiness of God! (See 2 Timothy 4:2-4.) Tickling ears = more nickels, noses, and numbers. It’s a busine$$ plan and you are their pawn!

Are we becoming more and more familiar (by study) with the Holiness of God – the only divine attribute He declares in triplicate – twice? (See Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8.)

ANY preacher who is not thoroughly teaching on the holiness of God, is absolutely a fraud. Run now!

Fake preachers are full of pride. They refuse to allow any man to hold them accountable. They oust anyone who knows God’s Word and asserts it (hopefully in HIS wisdom and love). | Are Most Ministers False?

“Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. 20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. 21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” Lamentations 3:19-26

The divine economy is the cross economy.

The Holiness of God and His Demand that We Be Holy

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Can a True Believer Overcome All Sin? [podcast]

Purifying Ourselves as He is Pure

10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast]

Abiding

WHY were 24,000 of God’s People Killed at Peor? [podcast]

“Baal was most often portrayed as a strong warrior and was considered the god of storms and fertility. He was said to rule from his palace atop Mount Zaphon, the highest peak in Syria. Baal is referenced several times in the Bible’s Old Testament, where he is depicted as the main rival of the god of the Israelites.”

We must understand that God is severe in His judgment of rebels of which there are “many” who claim they are saved. Eternal damnation awaits all rebels (Matthew 7:13-23, etc.).

“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:22

DIVINE JUDGMENT, the “severity of God,” IS NOT GOING AWAY JUST BECAUSE YOU OR SOME FAKE PREACHER IGNORES IT!

Christians avoid doing as did the Israelites when they worshipped baal by worshipping the LORD, the Father and Jesus Christ “in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 John 1:3) This begins with fresh and complete repentance, confession of all sin, and denouncing of all dependence, idolatry, all pagan practices like yoga and mantra chanting, etc., and by understanding that truly worshiping the LORD, the one true God, is based on sincere loyalty to Him and not to get things from Him like success or possession in this fleeting world. The heart of the disciple of Jesus must be circumcised perpetually and this is happening as we examine our hearts for idols, the daily crucified life, living a life of prayer, setting boundaries against temptations, and being wholly accountable to the LORD, while avoiding syncretism (mixing pagan rituals with Christian practice) and prioritizing God’s Word.

Deuteronomy 4:1-10

24,000 of God’s own people, men, departed from obeying the instruction, the standard, the Word of God and were destroyed. They partook in the soul damning sin of fornication.

“Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. 2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. 3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. 4 But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. 5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. 6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? 8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? 9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; 10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” Deuteronomy 4:1-10

Departing from the pure Word of God always leads to sinful living as was the case with 24,000 of God’s people’s worship at Baal Peor.

“And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4

In Deuteronomy 4, Moses warns God’s people not to change or depart from the LORD’s Word and brings up the example, reminds the people of God’s judgment upon 24,000 of His own people for doing so (Numbers 25).

Of the worship of Baal-Peor, one writer notes:

“Yet what was this worship of Baal-Peor and why did it draw such wrath from God? Baal-Peor is a Moabite god who was worshipped with obscene rituals. The name means ‘Lord of the Opening’ from Baal meaning owner/ husband and Peor coming from pa’ar meaning ‘open wide.’ ‘I found Israel Like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers As the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal Peor, And separated themselves to that shame; They became an abomination like the thing they loved.’ (Hosea 9:10) The worship of Baal-Peor IS an abomination. Notice that those who join themselves to Baal-Peor also ‘become’ an abomination before the Lord.”

Every person who has an idol, just one, has demons (Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:19-21). Repent now. Follow Jesus.

In Deuteronomy 4:3, Moses brings back to the memory of God’s people the judgment that fell upon the 24,000 of His own people for their idolatry and fornication. This idolatrous abomination is recorded in Numbers 25.

“And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.” Numbers 25:6-9

Dear reader, camp out on Numbers 25, the whole chapter. Your life is not complete without this vital component of divine truth.

Of Baal, one source notes:

Baal was a major ancient West Semitic storm and fertility god, meaning “lord” or “master,” prominent in Canaanite and Phoenician cultures, associated with rain, thunder, and agriculture, and often depicted with a thunderbolt. He was seen as a powerful deity, central to life, but became a focal point of biblical opposition as Israel’s worship of him (linked to lust and sometimes child sacrifice) was seen as idolatry against God, culminating in Elijah’s famous challenge on Mount Carmel. In later demonology, Baal (or Bael) is a powerful archdemon, and the name appears in various modern media as a demon or powerful entity.

In Ancient Religions

Identity: A powerful god of fertility, weather (rain, lightning, wind), war, and kingship, often identified with the storm god Hadad.
Worship: Widespread in the Levant (Canaan, Phoenicia) and beyond, with temples and rituals often involving cultic prostitution and sometimes human sacrifice, especially during droughts.
Mythology: Key myths involve his battles with the sea god Yamm and the god of death Mot, representing natural cycles, and his dwelling on Mount Zaphon.
Biblical Conflict: The Bible portrays Baal worship as a major temptation for Israelites, a rival to God, whose priests (including those of the Phoenician goddess Asherah/Astarte) were famously confronted by Elijah.

In Demonology & Culture

Demon: In demonology, Bael (Baal) is a powerful archdemon, often the first of the three kings of Hell in grimoires, associated with invisibility and wisdom.
Modern Media: The name appears in many forms, from Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons (Bhaal/Bael) to anime like Gundam and Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, often as a powerful demon or god.”

Not one of us has lived perfectly holy and yet, at this moment in time, some will choose to truly repent and confess their sins and others will refuse (Proverbs 28:13). Eternity depends on true repentance which always, without fail, yields a changed life, a holy life (Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 13:3).

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

These 24,000 Israelites were slain for their sin. God is still holy and “The wages of sin” is still death (Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:4).

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4

Zimri, a Simeonite (of the tribe of Simeon) was the Israelite whom Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, did slay for his utterly audacious display of sin, having brought the fornication in the middle of the camp of God’s people and even into the midst of their worship (Numbers 25:6, 14).

The great apostle brings this very incident to account 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 and warns New Testament saints never to partake lest they also be destroyed. The sins Paul cites form the natural acronym L.I.F.T.M. = lust, idolatry, fornication, tempting Christ, murmuring.

5 Soul Damning Sins Named! Learning from History! [podcast]

The spear of Phinehas must begin with ourselves – as we truly repent, lay down our lives in this world, and cut off the hand, pluck out the eye of any sin in our lives. The conscious eternal suffering, the severity of eternal judgment coming on any person who dies in sin is most profoundly declared by the Son of God Mark 9:43-49. Many of the new fake “bibles” removed this important passage.

The new “bibles” have lowered the standard and weakened many by their changing of God’s Word which Moses specifically warns us of in this main text, Deuteronomy 4.

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19

Departing from the Word of God, not obeying God on His stated terms, is the sure way to be weakened, destroyed, here and eternally. The LORD speaks often in His Word about this.

“Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:” Jeremiah 26:2

Each Man is Choosing to Drink from One Cup or the Other

Baal was ultimately Satan himself and involved things like sacrificing ones own child in exchange for being blessed by this false good. Jesus informed us that Satan has come “to steal, to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10).

As was the case at Baal Peor, Satan is behind every idol and so all idolatry is the worship of Satan.

“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” 1 Corinthians 10:19-22

This passage above is speaking of the Baal Peor event and also to the temptation of Satan and his children today. Baal worship is alive and well today, calling God’s people to worship at the altar of devils, to partake is vile atrocities that separate one to Satan and away from the LORD. “No man can serve two masters” and anyone living in sin is not serving the one, true, holy LORD and Savior (Matthew 6:24)

“They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. 29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. 30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. 31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.” Psalms 106:28-31

One writer notes:

“Baal Peor, or the Baal of Peor, was a local deity worshiped by the Moabites. When the Israelites, following Moses to the Promised Land, were in the vicinity of Peor, some of them fell into idolatry and worshiped Baal Peor. As a result of their sin, the men of Israel were judged by God.”

Baal Peor consisted of the worship of a false god, Satan, and fornication. Satan is behind the worship of all idols and such idolatry is filled with his devils/demons (1 Corinthians 10:19-22).

Modern day types of Baal Peor are the pornography, strip clubs, and everything in our society that has to do with any form of fornication. Movie and media are filled with such evil. The 24,000 who were destroyed in Moses day (Numbers 25), departed from the Word of God and the standards set forth there for holiness and the divine prohibition of sex outside of marriage between one man and one woman (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8). Read Deuteronomy 4 and Numbers 25 side by side.

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Before their blunder at Peor, after God brought them out of Egypt (the world), Israel was innocent. Judgment, destruction ensued their sin of all who participated. Today, we can witness that many who once worshipped God with a pure heart, have now turned away to the worship of idols involving fornication of all kinds. Those who would rebuke these backsliders could be liked unto Phinehas.

“I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.” Hosea 9:10

“I found Israel – The Lord speaks of himself in the person of a traveler, who unexpectedly in the wilderness finds a vine loaded with grapes; such love did God bear to Israel. Your fathers – Whom I brought out of Egypt. As the first – ripe – As the earliest ripe fruit of the fig – tree, which is most valued and desired. Separated themselves – Consecrated themselves to that shameful idol. Their abominations – Their idols, and way of worshipping them. As they loved – As they fancied.” John Wesley

Deuteronomy 4, Numbers 25, and 1 Corinthians 10 speak of the same event – the sin of God’s people in Baal worship at Peor and the consequent divine judgment that fell upon 24,000 of them. This is an eternal memorial for the judgment of God against all sin, namely idolatry and fornication.

“To abstain from idol feasts was the clear duty of all Christians. By partaking of heathen sacrifices which were offered to demons, they became one with the demons and their votaries; just as in the Lord’s Supper we show our oneness not only with the Savior but with each other. It was clear, therefore, that the Corinthian Christians could not consistently partake of idol feasts and the Lord’s Supper. What an incentive is given here to frequent and reverent participation in the Lord’s Supper! It proclaims our union with Him and His people, and it gives us a distaste for all that is alien to its spirit.” FB Meyer

Those who depart from the standards set forth in God’s Word separate themselves to idols, to devils and are under divine judgment from the unchanging God (Malachi 3:6).

The Examples of Phinehas and Jael

Perhaps we can liken what Phinehas did in spearing the sin out of the camp of God’s people, with those who call His people to worship Him in Spirit and in truth and according to His pure, uncorrupted Word (Numbers 25:10-18; Psalms 12:6-7; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19). Phinehas boldly, courageously in the fear of God stood up and stamped out sin in the camp. The judgment ended. Those who stand and boldly, fearlessly declared the Word of God and call out sin among God’s people, are the Phinehas’ of our day. Do we have a Phinehas priesthood in our midst?

“Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?” Psalms 94:16

In Job 4:21-22; 5:24-27 we read about another bless-ed patriarch of the faith who stood up, who rose up against sin, slaying a wicked king.

In both the cases of Phinehas and Jael, these biblical accounts make specific record that the LORD greatly blessed these faithful followers of His, and their families, and He will do the same today for His true bold witnesses who stand against the evil of this late hour.