February 25th Devotion

Numbers 25:1-3 (NIV)
1 While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, 2 who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD's anger burned against them.

Sin is at work continuously, and is always enticing. Sin does not take the cost into account. The cost of these sins was 24,000 Israelites. In this case, Israeli men became sexually involve with Moabite women, which then led to Baal worship. Whose fault was this? The women? No, they were not accountable to God. The men of Israel had no excuse. They were enticed away by their own evil desires, and that never has a happy ending.

James 1:13-15 (NIV)
13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

What should these men have done?

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (NIV)
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

We live in a world of sexual temptation. Here is our defense. Flee, don’t dwell on it. Flee, you have been bought with a price.

Love, Pastor Don