Scripture Reading: Leviticus 18:24-30

Don't Get Mixed Up

Intro.

1. God commanded and warned Israel against mixing with the corrupt nations of Canaan, Lev. 18:24-30:

a. Remain morally pure, 18:24-25.

b. Obey God or face the same punishment, 18:26-29.

c. Obeying God is protection against defilement, 18:30.

2. Yet, Israel mingled with the nations, was defiled and fell away, bringing God’s punishment, Psa. 106:34-43; Hos. 7:8; 8:1-3, 7.

3. NT warns Christians similarly, 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Jas. 4:4 (1 Jno. 2:15).

4. Yet still, like Israel, Christians mingle with the nations, are defiled, and fall away, 1 Tim. 4:1-3.

5. The remedy, like theirs, is radical repentance, Matt. 5:29-30.

-Illus. Ezra 9:1-2; 10:3.

I. MIXING HOLY AND UNHOLY STANDARDS, Psa. 106:34-39.

-(Always dilutes and destroys holiness; It never purifies the unholy.)

A. Failure to Drive Out the Enemy from the Start, 106:34-35; Deut. 7:1-6 (Judges 1:21, 27-35).

1. The cost of discipleship includes self-denial, Lk. 14:26-27, 33.

2. Hold fast to God without compromise, Josh. 23:6-8.

B. Mixing Allegiance to the True God with the False Gods of Men Proves Deadly, Psa. 106:35-39.

1. Forget God’s mercies, Psa. 106:6-7 (Rom. 12:1).

2. Forget God’s works and refuse His counsel, Psa. 106:13-15.

3. Forget God, Psa. 106:19-22 (Rom. 1:28).

4. Unthankful and disobedient, Psa. 106:24-25.

C. We Cannot Serve Two Masters, Matt. 6:24 (Josh. 24:15).

II. PRACTICAL, PERTINENT, AND PERSONAL APPLICATIONS, 2 Tim. 3:15-17.

A. Mixing Sexual Purity with the World’s Corrupt Views of Sexuality, Eph. 5:3-4.

1. This mixing of values is contributed to by:

a. Immodest clothing, 1 Tim. 2:9-10.

b. Indecent entertainment, 1 Jno. 2:16. cf. Dancing (prom)

c. Secret sins like pornography (“no harm, no foul”), Matt. 5:28.

2. Remedy: Radical repentance. Clothing, entertainment, private conduct must be pure in heart and in action.

B. Mixing Drinks with the World.

1. Do not start the drinking process, Prov. 23:29-32.

2. Do not intoxicate yourself, Eph. 5:18.

3. Mixing the will of God with the lusts of men, 1 Pet. 4:3-4.

4. Remedy: Radical repentance that fills our hearts with the Spirit of God, Eph. 5:18.

C. Mixing Gospels with the World, Gal. 1:6-9; Jude 3-4; 2 Jno. 9-11.

1. How to be saved (“sincere faith,” etc.).

2. True worship (rituals, feast days, etc.).

3. Holy living (world-defined “holiness”).

4. Remedy: Radical repentance and return to Bible authority, Col. 3:16-17.

Conclusion

1. Israel paid a heavy price for her sins and for neglecting her blessings.

2. We will not escape if we neglect our salvation, Heb. 2:1-3.

3. Repentance is radical.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted March 19, 2019