Balaam: A Warning Against Self-Destruction from Sin - Olu Talabi - August 25, 2019
http://rlcfchurch.org/balaam-warning-self-destrution-sin River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker warns that the greatest threat to a believer's joy and peace is not the devil, but self-rebellion and sin against God. Using the story of Balaam, he illustrates how a prophet, initially walking with God, eventually departed from the right path by succumbing to unrighteous desires. Balaam's ultimate sin was not just departing from God, but actively standing against God's people, serving as a warning against spiritual compromise.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Who is he who will harm you?Peter asks who can harm you if you follow what is good, and the answer is nothing—unless we bring harm upon ourselves through sin.1 Peter 3:13
Unaware of the devices of the devilThe devil knows he cannot defeat a believer walking in obedience, so he uses specific schemes to pull them away from God's rest.2 Corinthians 2:11
The warning example of BalaamBalaam started as a prophet walking with God, but he turned away for the wages of unrighteousness and became an enemy of God's people.2 Peter 2:15
Balak calls Balaam to curse IsraelFearful of the victorious Israelites, King Balak of Moab called upon Balaam to curse God's people, though God prevented Balaam from doing so directly.
God has not cursed JacobBalaam repeatedly confessed to Balak that no curse could stick to the people of God because the Lord was with them.Numbers 23:8
The secret strategy revealedUnable to curse God's people physically, Balaam secretly advised Balak to entice the Israelites into sin through feasting, idolatry, and Moabite women.
Placing the knife in our own handsBecause God is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, the devil tricks believers into sin, effectively making them self-destruct.
Israel falls into sin and a plague followsThe Israelites ate sacrifices to idols and committed fornication with Moabite women, bringing God's anger and a plague that killed twenty-four thousand.
The parallel of SamsonJust like Samson, whose strength was neutralized by Delilah when he joined himself to her, sin accomplishes what armies never could.
The ongoing warning against idolatryJesus warns the churches against holding the doctrine of Balaam or Jezebel by setting anything above God in their hearts.
The severe dangers of sexual immoralityScripture warns that sexual immorality can reduce a person's life to a piece of bread and defiles the body as God's temple.
God is waiting for us to repentEven when believers grieve God's heart, His mercy is great, and He patiently waits for them to confess and turn away from their sin.
Do not repeat past mistakesDespite past consequences, the Israelites repeatedly went back to the very things that brought them shame, much like a dog returning to its vomit.Numbers 31:9
Walk in the light with confidenceIf you walk closely with Christ, no weapon fashioned against you will prosper, and you need not fear sudden trouble.
