The Danger of Turning Away from God

➤ by Pastor Andy Fulson

It’s easy to agree to something without thinking about the commitment that comes with it. A sudden demand can catch you off guard ... especially if you’re not prepared.

Although God had spoken directly to Adam (Gen 2:16-17), Eve allowed herself to be deceived by Satan through her disregard of God’s instruction.

The result: Being were driven out of paradise and brought under Satan’s dominion.

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak, Matthew 26:41

Just before the Promised Land was to be taken, Moses gave Israel a similar warning about what would happen if they turned away from God’s commands: But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell, Numbers 33:55.

Indeed, after Moses’ death, Israel repeatedly disregarded God’s laws ... until the time of David.

Following the death of Solomon, the land was divided. Two tribes, Benjamin and Judah, remained loyal to Solomon’s son Rehoboam forming the kingdom of Judah (1Kin 12:21). The other ten tribes followed Jeroboam instead (1Kin 12:28-30) becoming the kingdom of Israel.

Jeroboam, fearing that the ten tribes might return to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the temple, had two golden calves made - idols he introduced with the words: Behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, 1 Kings 12:28.

Similarly, while Moses remained forty days on Mount Sinai, Aaron gave in to pressure and crafted a golden calf, which the people acclaimed, saying: These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, Exodus 32:4.

Similar temptations from Satan against the instructions of the New Testament still lie in wait for opportunities in today's congregations. Jesus warned: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak, Matthew 26:41.

Attitudes such as “There are many paths to God” or that “The Bible is not the inspired Word of God” are not uncommon today.

Yet Jesus forewarned: And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold, Matthew 24:10–12.

Closing Thought

A lack of understanding brings deception by failing to grasp and rightly apply the insights of the Holy Scriptures.Therefore, stay faithful to the Holy Spirit's help, and avoid being drawn away from God. 

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

Unless stated otherwise, all Bible passages quoted in orange are from the KJV translation.

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