LET IT BE. Continuing with doctrine matters and sin, let’s look at a few Scriptures in the book of Revelation:“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”“Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.” (v.24 to the rest who do not have this doctrine..)Revelation 2:14-15, 20
NKJVA short synopsis: Balaam was a pagan prophet; he worshiped the gods of the land. People believed that when Balaam cursed or blessed someone, it would be so. Balak, king of Moab, called on Balaam to curse the Israelites because he was afraid they would overtake him and his land. Balak offered a reward to Balaam for his services. Come to find out, the only way Balaam could get the Israelites to be cursed by God was to entice them with pagan women. Thus the doctrine of Balaam has to do with greed for gain, sexual immorality and or idolatry.
The Nicolaitans were antinomians, against law. They taught there were no laws of God and that all things were permissible under grace. They taught that sexual immorality was under Christian freedom and did not affect one’s salvation in Christ. Jezebel was an immoral pagan queen who manipulated and controlled her husband, King Ahab; and had a fleet of false prophets who taught, you guessed it, sexual immorality and idolatry. She also ordered the slaughter of all God’s holy prophets.
There are two specific sins mentioned in Scripture to flee: sexual immorality and idolatry. I believe these two are really one in the same: to commit sexual immorality is to idolize the lust of the body above the Lord. Sexual immorality is all sex outside of the marriage covenant between one man and one woman. Idolatry is placing anything, any person, any institution equal to or above God and His Word. This is grievous in His site.
The doctrine of Balaam refers to false teachers who lead people into fatal compromise with immorality, worldliness and false ideologies for the sake of personal advancement/monetary gain. Jezebel is a name synonymous with idolatry, sensuality and manipulative control. Here’s where it gets tricky. Christ condemns the church for just permitting false doctrine and false teachers: the churches in Pergamos and Thyatira had a tendency to tolerate sin, unrighteousness and unbiblical teachings, while Ephesus hated the doctrine of Nicolaitans (they were commended). These two churches “let it be” and did nothing about it. Knowing human nature, likely because of the fear of men and others opinions of them. Often, it’s because we are taught that it’s not “loving” or merciful to condemn false teachers and doctrines. It’s “mean”. Yet, the Lord hates sin and false doctrine. Ephesus was commended by Jesus for hating the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
We are to not even tolerate false doctrine. If we fail to overcome in this important area, we lose God’s favor and presence, the Spirit’s power and in the end become enemies of the kingdom of God. We cannot remain silent in the face of false doctrine. We must reject any doctrine that allows sin to continue. We must confront those who say you can continue to sin and inherit eternal life. We cannot be manipulated into believing continuing in sin is “OK”, no matter how convincing and charismatic the preacher is. Doctrine matters. #runyourrace
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