Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

 

To summarize the Doctrine of Balaam, over the past week we have studied the fruit of Balaam’s work. As Jesus said, You shall know them by their fruit. (Matthew 7:16) What we found are all types of evil practices that go against the Word of God. Most of it looks good on the surface, but the motive and the end result are not good. We must be watchful and seek discernment at all times.

 

There is much involved in the Doctrine of Balaam but in short, it is to believe that you can serve God and the world at the same time. It teaches Christians to forget that they have been called to come apart and be separate from the world. (1 Corinthians 6:17)

 

Believers that follow the Doctrine of Balaam do not look or act any different than those who are lost, dying, and headed for Hell. They believe that a “little sin” doesn’t matter because God knows we are sinners and He expects us to sin. They believe that God wants them to be wealthy and anything is permissible if personal gain or benefit is the result.

 

One commentary on the subject read: In practical terms, the teaching or Doctrine of Balaam is the view that Christians can—or even should—compromise their convictions for the sake of popularity, money, sexual gratification, or personal gain. It’s the attitude that treats sin as “no big deal.”

 

My friends, sin IS a big deal. Jesus went to the Cross of Calvary because of sin. He died so we can be set free from the bondage of sin. When we accept Him as our personal Lord and Savior and place our total faith in His Finished Work on the Cross, we can know the Freedom for which He died.

 

The Doctrine of Balaam is demonic in nature. It is evil and goes against all that the Word of God teaches. In the 8th Chapter of Romans, the Apostle Paul spells it out so clearly that the most simple-minded can understand.

 

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the Righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of Righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:1-17)

 

Wow! What a Passage of Scripture! What a Word of Truth from the Holy Spirit of God. This spells it out plainly. Any part of the Doctrine of Balaam is demonic and evil. Believers must know the Truth of the Word of God so they can recognize evil when it is in their midst.

 

So, what is the bottom line? Answer: For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13) You can’t have it both ways. You cannot live according to the flesh and the Spirit at the same time. This is the Doctrine of Balaam and God has never, and will never, tolerate it. Choose today; flesh or the Spirit. Jesus died on the Cross of Calvary so we can have this choice. What do you choose?

 

Walk in the Spirit and God will……….turn the tide……….in your life.

 

Thank you Lord,         Doreen

 

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