King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Keep Yourselves From Idols
Date: Sunday September 04, 2011
Chapters: Ezekiel 14-16, Proverb 4, Psalm 84
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-september-4

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” - I Peter 4:1-6.

Jesus Christ died to put an end to sin forever, though He suffered the worse punishment known to man, He humbled Himself and received every bit of it, yet never gave way to the least of sin. Likewise, we who have received Christ as our Savior need to develop the same mind as Christ. True Christians make the will of God, not their own lust or desires, the rule of their lives and actions. Those who were once dead to their sins are now alive, living according to God in the spirit. Therefore, it is a Christians duty, not only to keep themselves from fleshly sin, but also from things that lead to sin, or even appear sinful. “Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - I Thessalonians 5:22,23.

When God called judgment upon the Jews many of the elders could not understand why God was so angry at them and allowed such destruction to take place. Here was the thing, although they regularly offered sacrifices to God, they also worshiped the heathen idols of other nations. God exposes their hypocrisy, God despises those who throw Him in the midst of false religion, so when the elders went to Ezekiel and questioned why, here was God's response.

“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself: And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.” - Ezekiel 14:3-8.

These men not did not have man made idols that they bowed down and worshiped, they had idols in their hearts, yet they had no idea that what they were doing was wrong. An idol does not have to be a statute, an idol is any possession, object, person, hobby, job, or lifestyle that takes priority over God. God's purpose in judgment is to reclaim the hearts of His people who have wandered away to idols in their heart, the pursuit of pleasure, the race for riches, the struggle for power, and greed for possessions. God is unchanging in His character and He will not bless people who assume He will overlook their sinful lives because their good religious works are highly praised by others. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” - Revelation 3:15,16.

Remember, God does not destroy a saved soul, but He will bring judgment upon a one who has been living a sinful life, and I am talking about one that fulfills the lusts or desires of the flesh. God continues His explanation to the elders, stating that none of His judgments are without cause. “Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD...Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness. For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it. And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.” - Ezekiel 14:14,20-23.

Satan is the source behind idolatry, if he can get people following a false god than he has done his job. Why does he care? The more people he can deceive, the less he can get to follow the One True God and learn the truth that he is a good for nothing liar who is not only trying to destroy God, but every person God created. The amazing thing is that while Satan can drum up false gods, he can not control anyone, just like God can not control anyone. We are free to choose who we follow and live the life we want to live, including choosing the god we want to follow. However, there is going to come a time when every person will be judged for the decisions they make, including choosing to follow that false god. Religion or works do not get us right with God,only Jesus does. It is only by returning to Him and repenting that God's mercy, grace, forgiveness, and blessings will shine through. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin...If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - I John 1:7,9.

While God promises judgment upon every nation He also promises to save all who come to Him through His Son. God remembers the covenant of every person that accepts His Son and one day all will realize that there is only One God and Lord of our lives. “For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant. Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant. Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant. And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.” - Ezekiel 16:59-63.

It is necessary for us to remember that we are powerless against God's judgment, there is nothing we can do to stop God from bringing His judgment upon any nation, if He destroyed Jerusalem, He will destroy any nation who turns against Him. However, He will save anyone who comes to Him, but they must come to Him themselves, no one can escape God's wrath unless they come to Him personally through Jesus Christ. The word pacified means to restore or make peace with. Anyone who repents and turns or returns to God restores their relationship with Him and all the guilt and shame that came along with the sin is removed, never to be remembered by God. Praise God! “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life...And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” - I John 5:11,12,20,21.

Today's Prayer:
Taken from Psalm 86:
Dear God,
In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. I love You Lord and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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