The Enemy in the Camp Part 12: The Doctrine of Balaam
In the book of Numbers we read of Balaam the prophet. Balaam was not an Israelite and was said to be a diviner (practitioner of witchcraft). He was sent by the King of Moab to curse the Israelites, but instead, God directed Balaam to bless them. Having failed in his directive, Balaam began to introduce Israel to idol worship and sexual immorality. (Numbers 22-24)
The Doctrine of Balaam was this: If you cannot curse them, then corrupt them.
This appears to be the motive of society today. It is certainly the method of the adversary in current times and in times past. Today if the truth of God’s Word is preached or taught, it is not uncommon to be cursed at and actually cursed by some. Of course, the power of God renders those curses ineffective, however, the real danger—the effective methodology—is in the corruption.
I speak to many people, and it is very clear that few see the semi-hidden corruption. I will name a few and attempt to give some insight as to their destructive nature. I’ll address the elephant in the room first—technology. Modern technology is the largest and foremost method of destruction and, in turn, corruption of the day.
Video games and the internet seem to be where it began to raise its ungodly head and it has thrived and grown into a monster of epic proportions. Typically, it began to affect the innocence of our youth. Before video games, children played and interacted with one another. They were interested in building things and learning skills, and there was integrity and dedication to things that were good and productive.
It hasn’t been that long ago that children were playing with toys that taught them to build, construct, and read. They watched programs that taught morals, value for others, how to speak well, and encouraged learning in many areas. Toys and programs that helped instill common decency, excited imaginations, built respect for others, taught animal husbandry, and many more beneficial things.
There were heroes, real and imagined, such as Daniel Boone, Wyatt Earp, Davy Crocket, and the Lone Ranger. Men that had honor and integrity from Hollywood like John Wayne, Yul Brenner, Charleston Heston, Randalf Scott, and others were role models giving examples of chivalry, courage, and honor.
Radio and television programs commonly instilled the need for prayer, and Christian programs that professed the Word of God openly. Our churches were filled with preachers without fear and who had little concern for anything other than serving God and speaking the truth of the Word.
Today, however, the things that were once spoken in whispers and in private are today spoken of in boldness and openly. Immorality is commonplace, and the natural order has been corrupted. Society today is living the life Jesus spoke of in John the eighth chapter, verse 44: You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Children’s eyes and minds are filled with games that promote crime and immorality like rape, prostitution, theft, murder, drug use, and many nothing more than useless occupations of the mind that benefits nothing and no one.
The tools and results of Balaam’s doctrine are described vividly in 2 Timothy 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Where it was once common to have loyalty and dedication, having pride in effort and accomplishment has turned into greed, pursuit of false happiness in temporary satisfaction rather than joy in things beneficial. Rather than union in love, today it is lust in conquest, and temporary with intention. Pornography is so commonplace it can’t be avoided.
Young men have lost interest in young women because their desires are fulfilled in a fantasy world. Young women are so openly seeking intercourse and physical relations they have become what we once called harlots or worse. Last year I read where polyamory (romantic or sexual relationships with multiple people at the same time, with all in consent) was the fastest growing relationship type in the free world. Today, countries are far closer to the ways of Sodom and Gomorrah and the time before the flood than we are to being a moral society.
The trans community and homosexuality have become blatant in free society. God has some extremely harsh views on these things and we read in Deuteronomy 22:5 A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God. Abomination is a harsh term that comes with harsh punishment! It wasn’t long ago that I was walking into a grocery store and, even in this small rural community, a transvestite was standing just outside the doors.
My heart was sickened, knowing this was an evil that will not only lead to the eternal torment of that man, but an evil blatantly advertising its presence to entice the weak into debauchery. The traditional family unit on television has become the rarity and immorality commonplace.
The importance of family values and love has been replaced with homosexuality and sexual innuendo, drunkenness, and drug use. We are living in the time where evil is called good and good evil. The Scripture clearly warns of these times. True preachers and teachers are warning those who will listen to the fact that the end is growing near.
Yes, brothers and sisters, the doctrine of Balaam (if you cannot curse them, then corrupt them) is alive and active today!
“If you really long to save men’s souls, you must tell them a great deal of disagreeable truth.”
-Charles Spurgeon