The Christian Downfall ---The Error Of Balaam

[unsafe]

How many people today who say they are Christians fall under the Error of Balaam ----This seems to be serious as it is associated with 3 men in scripture---Cain --Balaam and Korah ---

Jude 1:11-13

11 How horrible it will be for them! They have followed the path of Cain. They have rushed into Balaam’s error to make a profit. They have rebelled like Korah and destroyed themselves.

12 These people are a disgrace at the special meals you share with other believers. They eat with you and don’t feel ashamed. They are shepherds who care only for themselves. They are dry clouds blown around by the winds. They are withered, uprooted trees without any fruit. As a result, they have died twice.13 Their shame is like the foam on the wild waves of the sea. They are wandering stars for whom gloomy darkness is kept forever.

and there is a warning to Christians in the Church of Pergamum in Revelations 2:13-16 about following the doctrine of Balaam ----


New King James Bible


13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is.And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

14 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.15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.[a]16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.


These scriptures are speaking to and about Born Again people so ---why is that we who are Born Again allow ourselves to continue to to be slaves to our flesh when we have been given all the resources we need to overcome the flesh through God's Grace which He so freely has given us -----

Is it because we are ignorant as to who we are in Christ and what power Grace offers us ?

Is it because we are OK with the fact that as long as we get to Heaven being Christ like doesn't matter ?

Is it because trying to mimic Christ is just to hard and we don't want to spend the time changing our ways of thinking to God's ways ---and practicing to do what God wants not what we want ?-----


There are many Churches and Christians today practicing the error of Balaam ----God hates Lukewarm Christians ---the Bible says you will get nothing from God ----luke warmness is being of 2 minds --the Bible calls a person like this a double minded man who is unstable in all their ways -----these people say they Love God but their actions and words are not from God -----God states that we cannot successfully follow 2 masters --so who are we to think we can -------who are we to think we can Love God and Love the ways of this world and expect God to be there for us when we cannot be there for Him -----

We expect unbelievers to act --speak and think like this world -----This world says -----if it feels good it is Ok to do ------as long as I'm not hurting anyone I am OK to do it ----- sin is fun and acceptable to them ---mocking God is acceptable to them -----mocking people who are believers is acceptable to them ----this is their Human nature and the way they are suppose to think and act ----so we shouldn't be surprised when encounter this behaviour in unbelievers --but we should be surprised when we encounter it from believers -----

God gives His Children all the tools to live a Holy Life ---He gives us His Grace which gives us the power we need to manifest living the life of Christ ---Christianity should be about regaining our identity with Christ and following His behaviour not our crisscrossing from His behaviour to the behaviour of this world -----

My Question is--- Why are we believers still living the Error of Balaam and accepting it as being OK -----When God clearly is not OK with it ?

 

[Seeler]

It is not important to me.

 

[Delightful Life]

Poor Cain, betrayed by his g_d

Poor Balaam, prophet protecting his City from the menacing Israelite interlopers and their new landlord

Poor Israelites, Holocaust...

Some people just can't seem to get it together

*tsk tsk*

 

[unsafe]

Hi seeler your quote It is not important to me.

That is you right for it not to be important for you -----for those who are in Christ Jesus it should be important as we should always want to please and follow God's will not ours will ----If Jesus said--- following what my Father wants is not important to Him where would we be today ----

Peace

 

[Seeler]

Unsafe, I will ask you not to judge my relationship with God. I have stated in my profile that I am a Christian. It is not your responsibility to decide whether or not I am 'in Christ Jesus'. I take that as an insult. You pick and choose whatever you want from the Bible. I will continue to elevate Jesus teaching about love over some ancient tale that someone told about changing his mind because his ass told him to.

 

[Jaebius]

The fable about Baalam and his talking ass is a good one. There is much to be learned from it. I studied it for a paper I wrote in Hermeneutics class.

Baalam was a seer who tried to use God - along with a whole host of other gods - to get his own will done. His interest was in serving himself - and in manipulating God to do so.

There have certainly been times in my past when I have been guilty of same. I didn't truly want what God wanted - I only wanted my own way - and was praying to God that he give it to me. It led me only to anger and bitterness.

As a follower of Christ I have learned - and am still learning - that contentment in God is key to my living fruitfully and joyfully.

 

[revjohn]

for those who are in Christ Jesus it should be important

Yes and no.

Yes, it should be important for the Christian to discern and to follow God's will.

No, it is not important in that the error of Balaam is a common thing.

Waterfall began a thread on WonderCafe.ca about the Doctrine of Balaam.

The Doctrine of Balaam is to Christianity what the Prayer of Jabez is to Christianity. The practice of turning a molehill into a mountain. It is of tremendous importance to a specific segment of Christianity it is just another thing to be vigilant of for others. It is popular among those who have elevated the error/doctrine of Balaam to characterize lack of concern for this aspect of ministry to represent a conflict between true, born again Christians and nominal Christians who really are not Christian at all.

Without wanting to repeat everything on the topic shared on Waterfall's thread at the original site

The error/Doctrine of Balaam is simply this, any attempt to come between God and the people of God in such a way as to cause the people of God to fall out of favour with God.

In the book of Jude it is listed as a false teaching and listed alongside of, but not equated with, the way of Cain (murder) and the rebellion of Korah (alongside Dathan who challenged Moses leadership in the wilderness).

Balaam is mentioned in the books of Numbers (54 times which is appropriate as this is the first narrative of Balaam's actions against Israel), Deuteronomy (2), Joshua (3), Nehemiah, Micah, 2 Peter, Jude and Revelation (1 a piece). Each time the narratives point to the story they lift up that Balaam was a for profit prophet who was paid to curse Israel and more often than not the narratives point to the embarrassing fact that every time Balaam opened his mouth to curse Israel God caused blessings of Israel to flow out.

The error of Balaam is that he was willing to curse God's people for financial compensation and the embarrassment of Balaam is that God simply never allowed the curses to leave his mouth. It is a demonstration of God's power and Balaam's powerlessness and a constant reminder within scripture of how God is able to protect God's own.

Somehow it has become something more dangerous than humerous. Balaam is not a serious threat to Israel or the people of God. Balaam is a joke.

The whole Church should be wary of those who attempt to separate the children of God from God and it could be argued that there are individuals within the Christian family who are attempting to come between God and the children of God. Will these modern day versions of Balaam succeed where Balaam himself fell seriously short?

I expect so.

Though it is by no means given that any Christian cannot be fooled, including those who claim to be born again.

As noted above Balaam was a for profit prophet. Serving God was not his principle preoccupation, getting paid was. Are there any within the Christian family who share such a preoccupation for material wealth? Do they lead others astray in their quest for more material "blessing"? Does their teaching of wealth and prosperity become a foundation for believers to doubt and become subject to the allegations and accusations of their brothers and sisters in the faith? Find that one and you have found an example of the error of Balaam.

Few people are religious because of the financial windfall that comes from being identified with any particular faith. And yet, there are some whose faith promises them prosperity just for being faithful. Do we catch a whiff of Balaam off of that? Should we?

 

[unsafe]

Hi seeler ----- this is my quote to you ----That is your right for it not to be important for you -----where is it judgmental -----then I simply say this -----which to me is a question -----If Jesus said--- following what my Father wants is not important to Him where would we be today ----

I don't see any judgment here -----your perception of the statement is that it is judgmental and again that is your right -------

Peace

 

[unsafe]

Hi revjohn

Thanks for your comments on this ----your quote Few people are religious because of the financial windfall that comes from being identified with any particular faith. And yet, there are some whose faith promises them prosperity just for being faithful. Do we catch a whiff of Balaam off of that? Should we?

The Prosperity gained by this world is not the same as the prosperity gained by God -----Prosperity given by God is to help others not ourselves ----The prosperity we gain from this world is used to help ourselves -------and it is not religion that promises the right kind of prosperity ----Religion in itself is of this world and is used and abused everyday ----- it is God's promise to His People and His word tells us what the prosperity that He gives us is for and how we are to properly use it ------If we don't know the proper use of a thing we can abuse it .

These are just my thoughts on this -----Grace and Peace to you

 

[revjohn]

The Prosperity gained by this world is not the same as the prosperity gained by God

Jesus said we wouldn't be judged by what went in but rather by what came out (Mark 7: 14-16)

No matter how wealth comes our way, by honest or dishonest means, we will be judged by what we do with it.

If the money in our wallet is there because of dishonest scales or business practices will be be judged by the amount of money in the wallet or the dishonest heart that ensured it would find its way into the wallet?

If the money in our wallet is there because of God's abundant grace to us are we honouring that gift by hoarding it or spending it on luxuries rather than dispersing it among the poor?

Prosperity given by God is to help others not ourselves

I would agree with this. That prosperity is meant to be shared. What happens when it isn't? Is it the sin/error of Balaam or are we witnessing the spirit which drove Ananias and his wife Sapphira?

it is not religion that promises the right kind of prosperity

Right kind of prosperity is immaterial to some religion. Prosperity, in some religion, is the proof of God's favour.

The health and prosperity gospel of some Christians does not take into account how that money is spent it simply lifts up money as proof. The more cars in the driveway and the more mansions to spend time in are considered signs of God's favour and that is where it ends. There is no obligation, in prosperity gospels to do anything for others with that money. Hinn, Dollar, Copeland, Tilton are examples.

If we don't know the proper use of a thing we can abuse it .

Agreed and that takes us right back to Mark 7: 14-16.

What comes out is what defiles.

 

[unsafe]

Hi revjohn your quote Right kind of prosperity is immaterial to some religion. Prosperity, in some religion, is the proof of God's favour.

Religion is still religion in my books -----religion is the downfall of God's gospel -----religion is all man made and therefore to me is a bunch of people trying to preach different beliefs and ways to God -----Religion is still preaching that behaviour gets you to God -----and we wonder why people are not going to church -----God's favor is proven time and time again in His word and Religion has taken it to be a mockery of what real prosperity is -----

Just for the record God's word which is His Gospel does not contain a Gospel section which is called the Prosperity Gospel --this is a Man Made Term ----- God's Word talks about His Promises to prosper His Children -----Does God break His promises ???---you decide -----

Grace and Peace to you

 

[revjohn]

Religion is still religion in my books

Does your book resemble a dictionary in any way?

Religion
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code geverning the conduct of human affairs.

2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist relition.

3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religion.

4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.

5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

All of which belong to Christianity in general and all of which are often responses to instruction from God or Jesus contained in scripture.

If you are trying to argue that religion is completely human then I would have to disagree with you.

If you are trying to say that Christianity is not religion then I would have to disagree with you.

religion is the downfall of God's gospel

This betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of what religion, by definition, is. If you qualified your statement with something like an emphasis on religion is the downfall of God's gospel I would be inclined to agree. That emphasis puts more stock in the ritual observations than the relationship between the believer and God.

religion is all man made and therefore to me is a bunch of people trying to preach different beliefs and ways to God

Again, this betrays a fundamental understanding of what religion, by definition, is.

Love God with all your heart, all your strength and all your mind. Straight from Jesus' mouth is religion.

Love your neighbour as youself. Straight from Jesus' mouth is religion.

Religion is still preaching that behaviour gets you to God

[FONT=Open Sans, sans-serif]Some of it is. Not all religion places an emphasis on works righteousness.

and we wonder why people are[/FONT] not going to church

Some do. Others are pretty confident that they know why people are not going to church.

Religion is probably not the primary culprit. It would be how religion is identified and how the religious treat others.

God's favor is proven time and time again in His word and Religion has taken it to be a mockery of what real prosperity is

On the face of it I have no argument with this statement.

Just for the record God's word which is His Gospel does not contain a Gospel section which is called the Prosperity Gospel --this is a Man Made Term

Yes. It is a man-made term. It is a term used to describe a fixation on wealth that is contrary to the emphasis of scripture.

That doesn't mean that advocates of the Prosperity Gospel do not use scripture and twist it for this purpose. In fact, that is what they are all about, using scripture to line their pockets.

Prosperity thinking is part of the Word of Faith or Name it and Claim it expressions of Christianity.

God's Word talks about His Promises to prosper His Children -----Does God break His promises ???

Indeed it does. To what end are God's children prospered? Is it so that they can have multiple mansions? Is it so that they can have more cars than they can drive at any given moment? Is it so that they can have their own private jets and off-shore bank accounts as a means of escaping the obligation to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's?

In Luke 10 Jesus sends out the 70 forbidding them to take a purse, bag or sandals.

How is it that some evangelists who are sent out over the airwaves have more money than can fit in a wallet and a fleet of cars and mansions.

Does that not raise any flags for you?

 

[Jaebius]

Indeed it does. To what end are God's children prospered? Is it so that they can have multiple mansions? Is it so that they can have more cars than they can drive at any given moment? Is it so that they can have their own private jets and off-shore bank accounts as a means of escaping the obligation to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's?

God primarily prospers us spiritually - and we are called toward sanctification. History is full of plenty of saints who were financially poor.

 

[unsafe]

Hi Pr.Jae your quote God primarily prospers us spiritually-----Excellent posting ---I agree -----so if God Spiritually prosperous us ---then why is it we want to serve this world in our actions when we have a divine Spirit directing us to serve the divine Spirit -----which includes divine actions not worldly actions -----How can we prosper Spiritually if we do not know what we are to do Spiritually to prosper or we refuse to commit ourselves to the Spiritual ways to prosper ------

any suggestions ----- Peace

 

[Jaebius]

Hi Pr.Jae your quote God primarily prospers us spiritually-----Excellent posting ---I agree -----so if God Spiritually prosperous us ---then why is it we want to serve this world in our actions when we have a divine Spirit directing us to serve the divine Spirit -----which includes divine actions not worldly actions -----

 

[unsafe]

Hi revjohn

Wether you like it or not ---God does Prosper His People ---His word is full of the people He has Spiritually and Materially Prospered --you can be all bent out of shape about the TV preaches ----you talk about fixation ---well many seem to fall into that category a fixation of the TV preachers that they feel are ripping people off------God will be their Judge if these people are frauds not us -----in the mean time revjohn if you can get away from wealth -----God's problem with Cain who is also mentioned in the error of Balaam is one that I feel many of us fall short on ---Cain brought his offering to God and it displeased Him ----because it was brought without Faith ----Many of us fail to maintain our Faith walk with Christ ----we go back and forth with our Faith and are unstable when storms come into our lives ---- I don't feel many Christians know just how important Faith is in their walk with Christ -----Just my thoughts on this -----


Grace and Peace to you

 

[unsafe]

Hi Pr.Jae

You could be right ------

 

[Delightful Life]

The writer philosopher Colin Wilson spent his whole life trying to answer that question -- why does humanity give in to pessimism & lazy thinking?

Why does it take so much effort to sustain 'being with g_d' (being in harmony with creation and each other)?

He takes a look at various people who he thinks have been able to have moments, like van Gogh, Pascal, Lawrence of Arabia, and asks why and why wasn't that state able to be maintained?

Some books of his that I recommend along this are his The Outsider & the companion piece Religion and the Rebel

 

[revjohn]

Wether you like it or not ---God does Prosper His People

Whether you like it or not prosperity isn't a simply matter of money in your pocket. It never has been in the Kingdom of God and likely never will be.

Paul has a thorn in his flesh, how many times doe he plead to be rid of it? How many times does God grant that request?

My grace will be sufficient for you is God's reply to Paul.

Is God's grace sufficient for you?

God will be their Judge if these people are frauds not us

Why then are we told that we can discern trees by their fruit?

God's problem with Cain who is also mentioned in the error of Balaam

The way of Cain is not the same as the error of Balaam. Both are examples of false teaching, they are equated only on that sense. The way of Cain was murder. It is not the same as the error of Balaam which was cursing the people of God for a fee.

Cain brought his offering to God and it displeased Him ----because it was brought without Faith

Actually not true. Cain brought his offering in faith, it was faith which led him to bring it. The problem with Cain's gift is the quality of the offering, Cain cared only to offer the dregs of the harvest and saved the best for himself. Similar to the Ananias and Sapphira story in Acts where there gift is also an attempt to defraud.

And when confronted how does Cain respond? He kills the brother who has upstaged him. That was his way

 

[Jaebius]

The writer philosopher Colin Wilson spent his whole life trying to answer that question -- why does humanity give in to pessimism & lazy thinking?

Why does it take so much effort to sustain 'being with g_d' (being in harmony with creation and each other)?

He takes a look at various people who he thinks have been able to have moments, like van Gogh, Pascal, Lawrence of Arabia, and asks why and why wasn't that state able to be maintained?

Some books of his that I recommend along this are his The Outsider & the companion piece Religion and the Rebel

Thank you Inannawhimsey - those sound like interesting reading. Maybe for this summer.