Going the Way of the World

Why does the Bible so often contrast holiness with worldliness? What is implied by suggesting the ways of the world are contrary to godliness?

Throughout the history of ancient Israel there is a recurring theme that teaches the church of the dangers of pagan (worldly) influences: "they did evil in the eyes of The Lord and followed the ways of Jeroboam, who caused Israel to sin." 

The reign of Jeroboam became known as a reference point of corruption in the history of Israel's leadership. In fact, when kings retained the practice of pagan ideals and compromised the holy standards for God's chosen nation of Israel, they were compared with Jeroboam, son of Nebat (1-2 Kings). 

It is said that Jeroboam, as well as the kings who followed his ways, led Israel to worship golden calves (as false images of Yaweh), and offer sacrifices to the pagan goddess Asherah and the god of Baal.  

Asherah was a fertility goddess who was worshipped as the wife of El (or the great God of Creation); she is regarded as the mother of all living or the queen of heaven (Holman Bible Dictionary). Today she may be regarded by her more popular name, "Mother Nature."

Baal, also connected with fertility, was the Canaaninte god who served as, "lord" or "master" over mankind; his title was Prince, or Lord of the Earth. In the book of Ephesians, Baal is merely another term for Satan (Eph 2:2); the prince of the power of the air (the god of this world/age).

In 2 Kings 17, God's chosen people begin to see the consequences of their corruption and sacrilege manifesed in the form of banishment and bondage. Fashioned once again by the chains of slavery and suffering because they choose to abandon the ways of God, who is their salvation, for the pagan practices and philosophies of the world. 

There is much we can learn from the needless suffering Israel faced as a result of their corruption and compromises. When we refuse to tear down the various forms of idolatry and sensuality in our lives, we only misrepresent God to the world as though we are worshipping golden calves. When we play the game that Mother Nature is our common maternal caregiver with the world, we assume The Lord is not the one True Sovereign over all things. When we are mastered by the fruitless deeds of darkness in this world, we are giving ourselves over to the Baals; the devil and demons of the spiritual realm whose chief aim is to "steal, kill and destroy" us from having and living in the knowledge of Truth. 

Is this what we have become in our nation today? Compromising holiness for sensuality and materialism? Are we inviting bondage and brokenness back into our heritage as a nation, Or are we willing to seek the Lord's will and tear down the strongholds of corrupt influences in our lives that may serve as a stumbling block to us and our children in the future? What will we do with the freedom afforded us by our Sovereign Lord, Jesus Christ?

May we be wise in these final days and abandon the ways of Jeroboam, the ways of the world. By shining as the Way to the Father, through continued obedient faith in Christ, we will influence the world for hope instead of the world influencing the church with destruction.