How can we guard against adopting non-biblical practices in our faith communities? The Problem Exposed in 2 Kings 16:15 “King Ahaz then commanded Uriah the priest, ‘Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, the king’s burnt offering and grain offering, the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their grain offering, and their drink offerings. Sprinkle on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. The bronze altar shall remain there for my personal inquiry.’” • Ahaz imported a pagan altar from Damascus (vv. 10–11) and pushed God’s prescribed bronze altar aside. • He kept the terminology of biblical worship—burnt offerings, grain offerings, blood sprinkled—yet shifted the focus and location. • The people followed their king’s lead, illustrating how easily a community can drift when leadership compromises. Timeless Warnings from Scripture • Deuteronomy 12:30–32 — “Be careful that you are not ensnared… Do not worship the LORD your God in that way.” • Jeremiah 6:16 — “Stand at the crossroads… ask for the ancient paths… and you will find rest.” • Colossians 2:8 — “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception… rather than according to Christ.” • Revelation 2:14–16; 3:1–3 — Jesus rebukes the churches for tolerating false practice and urges repentance. Practical Safeguards for Today 1. Measure everything by Scripture • Acts 17:11 — the Bereans “examined the Scriptures daily to see if these teachings were true.” • 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 — “Test all things. Hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” 2. Guard the pulpit and teaching ministries • 2 Timothy 4:2–3 — preach the word “in season and out of season” even when people crave “what their itching ears want to hear.” 3. Cultivate doctrinal literacy among all ages • Ephesians 4:14 — sound teaching keeps us from being “tossed by the waves and carried about by every wind of teaching.” 4. Maintain accountability in leadership • Galatians 2:11–14 — Paul confronted Peter publicly when his conduct contradicted the gospel. • Mutual correction preserves purity and prevents private agendas from steering public worship. 5. Evaluate new trends with patience, not panic • Proverbs 14:15 — “The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man considers his steps.” • Ask: Does this practice exalt Christ? Is it commanded, commended, or consistent with biblical principles? 6. Preserve the distinctiveness of Christian worship • Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” • 1 Corinthians 10:31 — “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Living It Out Together • Regularly read whole books of the Bible aloud in gathered worship (1 Timothy 4:13). • Schedule periodic reviews of ministries: align each with clear biblical mandates. • Encourage testimony times where members share how Scripture shapes decisions. • Foster a culture that celebrates obedience over innovation when the two conflict. • Keep the cross central in songs, sermons, ordinances, and service; Christ’s finished work guards against drift (Hebrews 13:9). By holding fast to the “faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), we protect our communities from the subtle slide King Ahaz modeled and remain a people “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). |
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