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Scripture Reading: Leviticus 18:24-30

Mixing Up With The World

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, were defiled and fell away, bringing God’s punishment, Psa. 106:39-43; Hos. 7:8; 8:1-3, 7.

3. NT commands and warns Christians in a similar way, 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Heb. 2:1-3; Jas. 4:4.

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

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

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

(Always dilutes holiness, and never purifies what is unholy.)

A. Failed to Drive Out the Enemy from the Start, 106:34 (Jug. 1:21, 27-35).

1. Discipleship demands we remove the double heart, Lk. 14:26, 33.

2. Requires submission, sacrifice, priority, commitment, Lk. 9:57-62.

B. Mixed Allegiance to the True God with False Gods, Psa. 106:36-39. (Jeroboam, 1 Kgs. 12:25-33; Grew worse, Jer. 19:4-5)

C. They Thought God Approved Them in their Moral Defilement, Jer. 7:9-11; 5:7-9.

II. PRACTICAL, PERTINENT, AND PERSONAL APPLICATIONS, Rom. 14:5 (2 Tim. 3:15-17).

A. Mixing the Gods of Men with the True God (Revealed Himself in Creation and in His Word), Psa. 19:1-11; Rom. 1:20; Matt. 6:24.

1. False religious gods (cf. LDS god of “revelation on revelation” and recent shift in status of same-sex marriages, Gal. 1:6-9).

2. Make a god of science, 1 Tim. 6:20-21.

3. Make of god of humanity itself (ourselves), Rom. 1:22-23, 25.

4. Remedy: Repentance (radical) toward God, Acts 20:21.

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

1. This mixing of moral values contributes to:

a. Immodest clothing, 1 Tim. 2:9-10. (By defending it)

b. Indecent entertainment, 1 Jno. 2:16. (By rationalizing it)

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

2. Remedy: Repentance (radical), 2 Cor. 12:21. Clothing, entertainment, private conduct must be pure in heart and in actions.

C. Mixing Drinks with the World’s Use of Alcohol, Eph. 5:18; 1 Pet. 4:3.

1. Social drinking is becoming for acceptable among Christians (being defined culturally and traditionally).

2. Don’t start the process that leads to drunkenness, Prov. 23:29-32; 1 Pet. 4:3 (4:1-2, mind of Christ…will of God).

3. Remedy: Repentance (radical), 1 Cor. 6:9-11.

Conclusion

1. Cleanse our hands (actions) and purify our hearts (mind, will, emotions, conscience), Jas. 4:8.

2. If we live with (mix up with) the world, then we will die with the world, 1 Jno. 2:17 (Jas. 4:4); Eph. 5:5-14.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted April 11, 2019