What modern practices might reflect the misguided devotion seen in 1 Kings 18:28? The scene in 1 Kings 18:28 “So they shouted louder and cut themselves with swords and spears, according to their custom, until the blood gushed out on them.” What was wrong then • Trying to coerce a response from a false god • Trusting emotional frenzy and physical pain rather than truth • Ignoring the clear command: “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead” (Leviticus 19:28) • Substituting spectacle for genuine faith Modern echoes of the same mistake • Self-harm presented as a spiritual act (cutting or extreme piercings offered “to the universe” or an idol for favor) • Legalistic asceticism—severe fasting or bodily deprivation to “earn” God’s love (Colossians 2:20-23) • Prosperity-gospel seed offerings: giving money with the formulaic promise that God is now obligated to make one rich (Acts 8:20-21) • Chanting mantras to manipulate a spiritual outcome (Matthew 6:7) • Occult rituals—blood pacts, tarot, or crystals employed to force a desired future (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) • Celebrity or political idolization—people sacrificing health, family, or integrity to please a human “savior” (Jeremiah 17:5) • Extreme protest actions—hurting oneself publicly to pressure society, trusting the spectacle more than God’s providence (Psalm 20:7) • Social-media “virtue signaling” that chases approval through repeated, dramatic posts rather than quiet obedience (Matthew 6:1-2) Why these practices fall short • They rest on human effort, not God’s finished work (Galatians 3:3) • They attempt to bend divine will instead of submitting to it (James 4:7-10) • They often center on false gods—money, fame, power, self (1 John 5:21) • They ignore Christ’s sufficient, once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10) Living in obedient devotion instead • Hold fast to Scripture, not spectacle (2 Timothy 3:16-17) • Seek God through faith expressed in loving obedience, not coercive rituals (John 14:21) • Present your body as a living sacrifice—holy, not harmed (Romans 12:1-2) • Trust that “the prayer of a righteous person has great power” without theatrics (James 5:16) |
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