Revelation 2:14: 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.
Jesus and His Word
Balaam was a true prophet who prostituted his gifts in order to earn money from King Balak, who hired him to curse the people of Israel. God prevented Balaam from actually cursing the nation—in fact, God turned the curses into blessings!—but Balak still got his money’s worth. How? By following Balaam’s advice and making friends with Israel, and then inviting the Jews to worship and feast at the pagan altars. “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!” The Jewish men fell right into the trap and many of them became “good neighbors.” They ate meat from idolatrous altars and committed fornication as part of heathen religious rites. Twenty-four thousand people died because of this disobedient act of compromise. 1
Jesus and His Ways
- Jesus, please keep my heart from pursuing the philosophies of this world. – “They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.” 2 Peter 2:15
- Jesus, please keep my heart from pursuing the prosperity of this world. – “Woe to them! For they have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit.” Jude 11
- Jesus, please keep my heart from pursuing the pleasures of this world. – “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18
Jesus and His Work
Compromise is failing to do the right thing, and justifying the wrong thing. – TWEET IT
Jesus and His Promise
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed” Luke 9:25
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 574). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.