GREAT – IF YOU DON’T DO IDOLS AND IDOLATRY: HOW ABOUT SACRILEGE – THE SACRILEGIOUS ACTS!
“Thou therefore which TEACHEST another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that PREACHEST a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that ABHORREST IDOLS, dost thou COMMIT SACRILEGE?” Romans 2:21-22.
It’s very easy for any to credit themselves and say – I DON’T DO IDOLS or IDOLATRY. Meaning I have no image, picture and object and even shrine that I go, consult and or make sacrifices toward. More so, I don’t REVERED and BELIEVED in any man made gods. However, I hope you do not practice SACRILEGE – SACRILEGIOUS ACTS.
What is SACRILEGE? It’s the SHARING and PLEASURING in the spirits, gains, offerings, tokens, pleasures and such like as a results of IDOLS or and IDOLATOR’S in ones life. Aiding and abetting for the gains in any form either indirectly or directly on matters of idol and Idolatory in Scriptural context, makes one a culprits – that’s sacrilege or sacrilegious acts.
“For [God does not OVERLOOK sin and] the WRATH of God is REVEALED from heaven against ALL ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness SUPPRESS and STIFLE the truth, 19 because that which is KNOWN about God is EVIDENT within them [in their inner consciousness], for God made it evident to them . . . 32 Although they KNOW God’s righteous decree and His judgment, that those who do such things DESERVE death, yet they not only do them, but they even PLEASURE, [ENTHUSIASTICALLY] APPROVE and TOLERATE others who practice them” Romans 1:18-32/AMP.
I can honestly say I know both ends because I was born into IDOL and IDOLATRY sphere before coming to REPENTANCE toward God and FAITH in Christ Jesus, thereby turning my life away from IDOLS and IDOLATRY to serve God acceptably and worship Him worthily by the Holy Spirit through my Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
“And how I kept back nothing that was PROFITABLE unto you, but have SHEWED you, and have TAUGHT you publickly, and from house to house, 21 TESTIFYING both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, REPENTANCE toward God, and FAITH toward our Lord Jesus Christ” Acts 20:20-21.
When you as a BELIEVER in Christ Jesus, begins to share in the spirits, gains, offerings, pleasures and such like acts indirectly if not directly involved, of the practices of IDOLS or IDOLATRY, the Scripture of Romans 1:18, 32 indicates you are a PARTNER and PARTAKER of such SACRILEGIOUS ACTS – knowingly or unknowingly. Hence ignorance is not an excuse before God.
“And the times of this IGNORANCE God WINKED at; but now COMMANDETH all men every where to REPENT: 31 because he hath APPOINTED a day, in the which he will JUDGE the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” Acts 17:30-31.
Some Examples of such SACRILEGE – SACRILEGIOUS ACTS are these:
*** Asking someone to consult a MEDIUM, SEER, WITCH, ORACLES, FAMILIAR spirits and SUCH LIKES on your behalf to get an ANSWER to your life quest – that’s seeking the GAINS and PLEASURES from such IDOLS – demons or the humans who acts as COHORTS and PRINCIPALITIES in use. When you do such, you are invariably a PARTAKER and PARTNER of the gains and pleasures. Sometimes they may give you items to hold, use and do certain things on you as INCISIONS on the body in some instances, in order to satisfy the spirits of such consultations – an entrance to hidden and unseen demonic craft and bondage.
*** In some typical Culturalised Communities but not limited, lots of Festivals such as – FARMING (Yam, Cassava, Plantain etc), FISHING (Various Assorted water creatures) and such like are held (celebrated and commemorated) to enact the year PRODUCE and to appease to their community gods and goddesses for further years to come. The Community Chief Priest are requested to consults the gods and goddess of the land (community) to satisfy the needed doings or sacrifice before the start off to the consumption of the particular crop harvest. When you share in such acts, you invoke the fallen spirits (demons) of darkness – principalities and powers – assigned to that community by satan to act along in your life as he does in the community though you are not literally involved behind the scene of appease and invoking to the IDOLS – gods of the land they call it. And geographical locations or background is no exception to the operations of these spiritual demonic beings.
*** Sometimes, couples are desperate to have a child or children, and some singles who feel age is not on their side in getting married, will send relatives, friends and who they deem trustworthy to go on their behalf to make consultations to either an IDOLS priest or directly to the IDOLS, to get every necessary help. Such helpful consultations to obtain/make gains, is called SACRILEGE – a SACRILEGIOUS ACTS.
*** Sometimes, People who feels that their Business (Entrepreneurship), Career, position of Authority and Power (Political, Ministry, Civil Services etc) and such likes is/are not making a headway as expected, will do anything to forge ahead. Many results to SACRILEGE to settle such scores to avoid been known.
*** Sometimes, some in haste to get RICH, WEALTH, PASS EXAMINATIONS, WIN IN TOURNAMENTS and such like will do any DEMAND placed before them so long their objectives are acquired. Many will result to consultations via the SACRILEGE – SACRILEGIOUS ACTS.
*** When you as a BELIEVER in Christ becomes agents or vehicle of use to help, assist and bait people who are in difficulties by taking advantage of their vulnerability to do consultations to these IDOLS – demonic acts of darkness, the Scripture indicate that you are PLEASURING and as such practicing SACRILEGE – SACRILEGIOUS ACTS.
All these acts of SACRILEGE mentioned and such likes that are not mentioned, has consequences and side effects to all who are involved, directly or indirectly in a way. And divine judgements could be imminent or later when least expected.
Therefore, RUN and KEEP yourself away from IDOLS, IDOLATRY and SACRILEGE – SACRILEGIOUS ACTS for your own good and the good of those you care about for today and tomorrow. IF INDEED YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE INDEED A CHILD OF GOD’S KINGDOM IN CHRIST JESUS – KEEP YOURSELF AWAY FROM SACRILEGE – AND SACRILEGIOUS ACTS.
SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK.
God BLESS You.
SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:
“Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest IDOLS, dost thou COMMIT SACRILEGE?” Romans 2:21-22.
“Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which COMMIT such things (as SACRILEGE) are worthy of death, not only do the same, but HAVE PLEASURE IN THEM THAT DO THEM” Romans 1:32 (Emphasis Mine).
“He that HASTETH to be RICH hath an EVIL EYE, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him” Proverbs 28:22.
“We know [with confidence] that anyone born of God does not habitually sin; but He (Jesus) who was born of God [carefully] keeps and protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know [for a fact] that we are of God, and the whole world [around us] lies in the power of the evil one [opposing God and His precepts]. 20 And we [have seen and] know [by personal experience] that the Son of God has [actually] come [to this world], and has given us understanding and insight so that we may [progressively and personally] know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children (believers, dear ones), guard yourselves from IDOLS—[false teachings, moral compromises, and ANYTHING that would take God’s PLACE in your HEART]” 1 John 5:18-21 (Amplified).
“What do I mean then? That a thing offered to idols is anything [special or changed simply because it is offered], or that an idol is anything? 20 On the contrary, the things which the Gentiles (pagans) sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons [in effect], and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with demons [by eating at feasts in pagan temples]. 21 You cannot drink [both] the Lord’s cup and the cup of demons. You cannot share in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons [thereby becoming partners with them]” 1 Corinthians 10:19-21.
“‘Do not turn to MEDIUMS [who pretend to consult the dead] or to SPIRITISTS [who have spirits of divination]; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God” Leviticus 19:31.
“As for the person who turns to MEDIUMS [who consult the dead] or to spiritists, to play the prostitute after them, I shall set My face against that person and will cut him off from his people [excluding him from the atonement made for them]. . . 27 ‘A man or woman who is a medium [who pretends to consult the dead] or who is a spiritist shall most certainly be put to death, and be stoned with stones; their blood is on them.” Leviticus 20:6, 27.
“. . . 7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Find for me a woman who is a MEDIUM [between the living and the dead], so that I may go to her and ask her advice.” His servants said to him, “There is a woman who is a medium at En-dor . . . ” 1 Samuel 28.
“Listen carefully, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are for signs and wonders [that will occur] in Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion. 19 When the people [instead of trusting God] say to you, “CONSULT THE MEDIUMS [who try to talk to the dead] and the SOOTHSAYERS who chirp and whisper and mutter,” SHOULD NOT A PEOPLE CONSULT THEIR GOD? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20 [Direct those people] to the law and to the testimony! IF THEIR TEACHINGS ARE NOT IN ACCORD WITH THIS WORD, IT IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO DAWN” Isaiah 8:18-20.
“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth DIVINATION, or an OBSERVER OF TIMES, or an ENCHANTER, or a WITCH, 11 or a CHARMER, or a CONSULTER with FAMILIAR SPIRITS, or a WIZARD, or a NECROMANCER. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13 Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. 14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do” Deuteronomy 18:10-14.
Further Scriptural Reading Text: 1 Samuel 28.
REV. CHUKIE MORSI