Take Root #32

 Day 32

2 Peter 2:11-16

"11 whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a demeaning judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, using abusive speech where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, 13 suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions as they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having hearts trained in greed, accursed children; 15 abandoning the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the reward of unrighteousness; 16 but he received a rebuke for his own offense, for a mute donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the insanity of the prophet."

There is nothing new under the sun.  

Peter goes on a riff describing the evil of his day and it sounds so much like modern day America it is frightening. Our society is inventing ways to do evil and then calling it good. Our leaders are arrogant and ignorant with the mayor of our largest city proclaiming we don’t need God – and now we have watched as the worms have figuratively eaten him alive. 

How close do I get to being a prophet like Balaam? …Do I know the true God – and yet want to work for the world?  Do I want to dance on the edge of evil and still be a prophet to the point that a donkey must correct me for my insanity?

It is a slippery slope and according to Peter, many have passed the point of no return.  No one intends to destroy their lives with insane debauchery…yet it happens all the time. I must guard my heart and remove all idols, so I don’t find myself sliding down the same slope as those described in this passage.