Deeper Life #168

Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.

—2 Peter 2:15

THE NEW TESTAMENT SPEAKS IN three different contexts about Balaam. Peter talks about the “way of Balaam,” Jude (v. 11) talks about the “error of Balaam,” and Revelation (2:14) talks about the “doctrine of Balaam.”

The “way of Balaam” is to make a market of one’s gift. A Christian who does this begins to put himself into the “show” business.

The “error of Balaam” is seeing only the standard of natural morality and never discerning God’s ways. When a Christian follows his own common sense morally, rather than the dictates of the Word of God, he falls into this error.

The “doctrine of Balaam” is teaching the corruption of God’s people. Balaam taught Balak to corrupt the Israelite people by enticing them to marry the women of Moab. In modern terms, the “doctrine of Balaam” is any teaching that tries to strike a compromise between corrupt worldliness and Christian profession.

After God has entirely sanctified you, everything is against you to put you to death. Heed the disastrous example of Balaam, and stay true to your Lord.

Prayer Thought: Oh, deliver me from making gross perversions of Your will, Lord!

SUGGESTED READING: Jude 1–13