Topic: A Nation In Decay [December 29, 2016]
Text: Ezekiel 8:1-6
Key Verse: “He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations” (Ezekiel 8:6).
The dictionary meaning of syncretism is the amalgamation of different religions, cultures or schools of thought. Syncretism among Christians is the dilution of the essential truths of the gospel with the incorporation of non-Christian elements. The addition of seemingly harmless elements like Christian songs with worldly beats, stand-up comedy and beauty pageant, can just be the right tools the devil uses to corrupt the gospel. From our text, prophet Ezekiel was in a meeting with the elders of Israel when suddenly, the glory of God was revealed.
He was lifted from his house in Babylon by a supernatural hand and taken to the temple in Jerusalem! The first thing he saw in the temple was an idol called: “the image of jealousy”, because idolatry provokes the Lord Who is jealous over His spiritual wife, the people of Israel. Other abominations were hidden everywhere in the temple. This was a period of spiritual decay in the nation’s history. As things went out of hand, their leaders incorporated into the temple rituals, the worship of other gods. These were idols worshiped by the heathen nations around them. The base practices of neighbouring countries complete with wholesale and open immoral rituals, appealed to their fleshly appetites, and before long, they become the mode of worship.
Idolatry is like “religious prostitution” among the Lord’s people. Just as a husband or wife would be jealous if a strange lover invaded a marriage, so the Lord’s jealousy is stirred when we depart from true worship. We must discard and delete all additions to the pure gospel. Christ crucified, risen and glorified is our gospel. Any addition to this is unscriptural and can result into a departure from the faith. Beware of being bowled over by superfluous but deadly syncretic practices.
Thought for the day: A little pint of poison can poison an ocean of water.
Bible Reading in one Year: Revelation 15-17
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
