What modern practices might parallel the idolatry condemned in Jeremiah 19:5? The Ancient Offense: Jeremiah 19:5 “They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or spoke of, nor did it ever enter My mind.” Key Elements of the Sin • Deliberate rejection of God’s explicit commands • Substitution of man-made worship for true worship • Shedding innocent blood to secure prosperity, security, or favor • Public normalization of what God calls detestable (Psalm 106:37-38) Modern Parallels in the 21st Century • Abortion—children forfeited for convenience, reputation, or perceived success • Medical or technological experimentation that destroys embryos for “greater good” • Sex-selective or eugenic practices that treat unborn life as disposable • Entertainment that glorifies violence, occult themes, or moral perversion (Ephesians 5:11-12) • Materialism and consumer culture demanding unchecked overtime, family neglect, or ethical compromise to “get ahead” (Matthew 6:24) • Pornography and sex trafficking, sacrificing dignity and purity to lust (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5) • Occultism, witchcraft, and new-age rituals promising power or healing apart from Christ (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) • Political or corporate systems that justify harming the vulnerable to protect profits or influence (James 5:1-6) Why These Practices Are Idolatrous • They place human desire, achievement, or pleasure above God’s revealed will (Colossians 3:5). • They demand the surrender of innocent life, purity, or integrity as an “offering.” • They seek blessing, success, or enlightenment from sources that deny the Lord’s sovereignty (1 Corinthians 10:20). • They dull conscience and normalize evil, just as ancient high places did (Romans 1:28-32). • They deny that every human is made in God’s image from conception (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13-16). Living in Faithful Obedience Today • Cherish and defend life at every stage; support mothers, fathers, and children. • Refuse entertainment or products that exploit the innocent or glorify darkness. • Order career and finances under Christ’s lordship; practice generosity over greed. • Guard sexual purity, honoring marriage and rejecting pornography. • Reject occult practices; rely on Scripture and prayer for guidance. • Offer yourself “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1-2). • Keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21). |
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