S) "3 You shall tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods and obliterate their name from that place. 4 You shall not act like this toward the Lord your God."
Deuteronomy 12:3-4 (NASB)
O) God draws clear lines, separating Himself from other gods, separating His people from other people, keeping them holy. He makes ordinances that will make it obvious that He is not common, that He is different, that He is greater, stronger, wiser, and more than any other. The way we worship Him should be utterly holy to Him.
A) I am very leery of worship toward the LORD that seems to "incorporate" elements from other cultures. In other countries, there are religious practices that are physically expressive, that, when brought to America, are made to be unspiritual. Yoga, various martial arts, tokens, or even the use of certain drugs, all of them are made to seem harmless. While I would never give heed to something idolatrous, or fear something demonic, I have to take a stance against certain things. As Christians, I think we should be very cautious to not imitate anything that resembles other religions. God makes it clear that He requires our behavior, even our acts of worship, to be by certain rules and regulations. While we have freedom from the Law, that does not mean it is impossible to offend the LORD. That is something that I do, actually, fear.
P) Father, forgive me for offending You, especially with unfit worship. I want to present offerings that are pleasing and acceptable to You. Convict my heart of sin in this area, as every other, and reveal to me the errors of my ways. Open my eyes and ears, to know Your ways more and more. Discipline me, so that I respond in obedience. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) I am very leery of worship toward the LORD that seems to "incorporate" elements from other cultures. In other countries, there are religious practices that are physically expressive, that, when brought to America, are made to be unspiritual. Yoga, various martial arts, tokens, or even the use of certain drugs, all of them are made to seem harmless. While I would never give heed to something idolatrous, or fear something demonic, I have to take a stance against certain things. As Christians, I think we should be very cautious to not imitate anything that resembles other religions. God makes it clear that He requires our behavior, even our acts of worship, to be by certain rules and regulations. While we have freedom from the Law, that does not mean it is impossible to offend the LORD. That is something that I do, actually, fear.
P) Father, forgive me for offending You, especially with unfit worship. I want to present offerings that are pleasing and acceptable to You. Convict my heart of sin in this area, as every other, and reveal to me the errors of my ways. Open my eyes and ears, to know Your ways more and more. Discipline me, so that I respond in obedience. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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