Isaiah 1:13-15
The Lord commanded the Israelites to stop bringing their offerings to him. The Lord turned away from their worship and offerings because they were deplorable to him. God condemned the self serving worship that was offered up to him. They were using worship for their own arrogant purposes and to make themselves feel better about the sinful practices they were following.
In Deuteronomy chapter eighteen verse nine we find out about some of the sinful practices. The Bible tells us in these verses that the Lord warned them ahead of time. “When thou art come into the land which the Lord God giveth thee, thou shall not follow or learn to do after the abominations of those nations.” We learn more about the specific practices that the Israelites were indulging in as we read through Isaiah. These practices included divination, enchanters, witches, familiar spirits, necromancers and business and legal practices that swindled widows and the poor.
The Bible is full of warnings for us too! Because God loves us, he warns us and gives us a heads up about sinful practices that can ruin our lives, our families lives, and wound our very soul.
So how will you do it? How will you be able stay clear in a world so full of sin and sinful practices, many of which are very much excepted by the society we live in? I am sure you have heard it before. Be still and know that I am God. Sounds simple, but when you are tempted, FREEZE. When things of this world become very enticing God has a place for you to go! Be still and meditate on him! What do I meditate on?? Well that is something you will need to start working on now. Be action oriented. Be prepared. Read God’s word and hide it in your heart. Memorize it so that you have it ready to meditate on in order to quench the fiery darts of the devil. After all, let’s get real. These enticements are temptations from the devil, and he does not intend good for you or the kingdom of Christ. Utilize an attitude of continual prayer. That could mean having little conversations with God throughout the day. Singing and worshipping him in your spirit throughout the day. Search the scriptures for the path of truth so that you can follow it. Fellowship with other followers of Christ. These things will give you the strength to make good decisions.
Our mindset must be, I WILL follow the Lord because he knows what is best for me and my family. Not only that, but he created us. We are his creation and he has a plan to save his people. He knows all, and he is everywhere. He is all powerful. He has created a heavenly home for us when we leave this life. He is everything! We have every reason to trust him and rely on his WORD!