Monday, March 16, 2020

Flirting with the darkness

Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go out as at other times” (Numbers 24:1). When reading the story of Balaam, it might seem unfair that he was killed with Israel's other enemies (31:8). I mean he had always inquired of the Lord, and had never said anything the Lord had not told him to (i.e. 22:18). And at some point it seems the Lord had even given permission to go with Balak who was seeking to hire him to curse Israel (22:20). And here, much later in Chapter 24 we see that Balaam saw, presumably for the first time, that “it pleased the Lord to bless Israel.” So who could blame him? Well God did for one (Jude 11)! But why? Well, the clue is that Balak had sent emissaries to Balaam with the “diviner’s fee in their hand” (22:6-8). And what I want to suggest, is that in inviting them to stay, Balaam was entertaining the darkness, flirting with it. 
 
The same night the Lord rebuked Balaam telling him clearly “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed” (verse 12). Nevertheless Balaam had gone with them three times (24:10). The problem then, was that Balaam “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15). He failed to understand the deceitfulness of riches and that we suppress the truth in our unrighteousness (Mark 4:19; Romans 1:18). And it all starts with flirting with the darkness. James tells us that we are tempted when we are drawn away, and then enticed (James 1:14). After this, we can become totally blind to deception. The Lord had to use a dumb ass speaking to Balaam when the angel of the Lord blocked his (Balaam's) way. And in the intensity of wanting his own way, Balaam doesn't even seem to notice that the donkey is speaking to him (22:26-30). And then ever after this, Balaam says “Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back” (22:34)! I mean “if,” what was it going to take?

But there's also another problem, because we do not sin in a vacuum! And our transgressions many times, especially if we are believers, encourages others to sin. It certainly did with Balaam (31:16). And it all starts when we flirt with the darkness, that is just allowing ourselves to think about it. And the next thing you know, the still recovering addict hangs out with old “friends” who are likely to persuade him to use; the porn addict types certain key words into a search engine – just curious to see which websites come up; someone with a gambling problem hangs out in places with lots of slot machines; a young unmarried couple spend long hours alone in private etc., etc. In the last case the scripture clearly says “Flee fornication, sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18; see also 6:9).

Father, forgive us Lord for those times we have flirted with the darkness, fooling ourselves and telling ourselves “we're only looking.” You call us to be holy Lord, and You desire truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6). Let us not be ignorant Lord of the devices of the devil who wants to draw us away, and cause us to not walk in the light. Our thought life is the last bastion Lord, so please teach us to bring every thought captive unto obedience in Jesus Name Amen

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