How can we guard against the temptations described in Ezekiel 23:5? Setting the Scene Ezekiel 23:5 paints a sober picture: “And Oholah prostituted herself while she was Mine. She lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians—warriors.” Oholah (representing Samaria) abandoned exclusive devotion to the LORD, chasing political alliances and idolatrous pleasures. The same pull toward unfaithfulness still tugs at disciples today. Recognizing the Nature of the Temptation • Spiritual adultery—giving the affection that belongs to God to someone or something else • Attraction to worldly strength—Assyrian “warriors” symbolize power, prestige, security outside of God • Seductive gradualism—Oholah “lusted” first in the heart before open infidelity appeared Practical Steps to Guard Our Hearts 1. Cultivate single-hearted love • Psalm 73:25—“Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one beside You.” • Daily rehearse the gospel: remember we “belong” to Him (Ezekiel 23:5). 2. Monitor our alliances • 2 Corinthians 6:14—avoid being unequally yoked with values that compete with Christ. • Evaluate friendships, business partnerships, media intake: Do they pull me toward or away from wholehearted obedience? 3. Starve competing desires, feed holy ones • Romans 13:14—“Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.” • Replace: trade one hour of questionable entertainment for worship, Scripture, or service. 4. Guard the eye-gate and mind-gate • Proverbs 4:23—“Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” • Set filters, limits, and accountability for what we watch, read, and scroll. 5. Walk in step with the Spirit • Galatians 5:16—“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” • Begin the day inviting the Spirit to direct decisions; pause midday to recalibrate; end the day with gratitude and confession. Scriptural Tools for Daily Battle • Armor of God—Ephesians 6:10-17: truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, Word of God • Renewed mind—Romans 12:2: refuse worldly patterns, embrace transformed thinking • Fellowship—Hebrews 10:24-25: meet regularly with believers who provoke love and good deeds • Word saturation—Psalm 119:11: store Scripture in the heart to resist sin • Fastings and disciplines—Matthew 6:16-18: voluntary denial sharpens spiritual appetite Encouragement for the Journey The LORD did not abandon His people forever; His call to repent proves His desire to restore (Ezekiel 23:35). As we cling to Him, He empowers us to overcome every lure. “Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). |
    |