Fostering Snakes In Your Bosom

 

 

"Their making leagues with the Canaanites would not only give those idolaters the opportunity of doing them a mischief, and be the fostering of snakes in their bosoms, but it would likewise provoke God to become their enemy, and would kindle the fire of His displeasure against them." - Matthew Henry Commentary

 

This message is about relationships.

 

God is asking us to examine the relationships in which we are involved. That would include those on an intimate or more personal level as well as business partners, co-workers on the job, or co-laborers in the Gospel.

 

So many "Christians" have lost out with God in the past. When you look back on the reason for it all - the apostasy started with an ungodly relationship or alliance. Oftentimes, we - as believers - are not fully aware of the effect or influence that others can have on our lives so we have a tendency to enter relations nonchalantly rather than prayerfully. Consequently - as is often the case - down the road, we realize the serious damage such affiliations have had on our souls - damage that many times can never be totally repaired.

 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:12, the Apostle Paul admonished us to - "...know them which labour among you..."

 

It is crucial that we know "by the spirit" all with whom we are in contact simply because we knowingly or unknowingly become like the company with whom we associate.

 

So if the people or friends around us have certain idols in their hearts and lives - guess what? It won't be long before we are joining in with them to talk about or patronize those same idols - that is, unless we take a bold stand against them. 

 

What do the Scriptures say about this subject?

 

Let's examine a few verses pertaining to Israel - God's chosen people - and glean instruction for our own life and situation.

 

In Psalm 106:35-36, we read the sad commentary of Israel - "But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them."

 

Israel "mingled." Nothing wrong with that!

However, what was deadly was the fact that they "mingled among the heathen."

The result? They "learned their works" and "served their idols."

Like birds or wild beasts caught and taken unawares - they fell into the trap of the devil when they became fascinated by the charm of the heathen's idolatry. While in their midst, the children of Israel had approaching temptations spread out before them on a daily basis...were in danger but did not notice it... and fell when they thought themselves safe.

  

In Exodus 23:33, we read how the Israelites were warned to make no friendship or have no familiarity with the idolatrous nations surrounding them - lest they become corrupted by their perverse customs - "They shall not dwell in Thy land, lest they make thee sin against Me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee."

 

Here we see how bad company eventually leads to bad business.

Associating with idolaters infects us, draws us away from our duty, and causes us to sin against God

 

In Deuteronomy 7:16, we are made aware of the fact that we must have no part with idolaters or idols of any sort - "And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee." Idolatry must be utterly detested, abhorred, or despised. We must have a holy indignation against anything that would bring us into a snare, bring us under a curse, or dare to take the place of Jesus in our hearts.

 

Both Joshua 23:13 and Judges 2:3 inform us of what happens when we become intimate with idolaters - "Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes..."

 

"Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides; and their gods shall be a snare unto you."

 

Whenever we cherish, humor, or favor the "Canaanites" in our midst - joining in affinity with them in their entertainments, pleasures, and amusements - they actually become "snares and traps," "scourges in our sides," and "thorns in our eyes." What this means is that they become "snares and traps" to draw us into sin - which oftentimes is all kinds of immorality. They become pains in our sides - continual vexations and sources of distress, mischief, and trouble for us - as they draw us into sinful acts, foolish bargains, unprofitable projects, and ungodly schemes.

 

The final result of associating with idolaters is brought out in Judges 2:14-15 - "And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and He sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies."

 

Is it worth it - to have God become your #1 enemy - so that you can keep your ungodly friends?

That is exactly what happens when you make idolaters your comrades.

Today, they may be your tempters to sin against a Holy God; but know assuredly that tomorrow, they will be your tormentors.

 

The hand of the Lord will be against you for evil. When you do get into trouble and cry out for help, He will not hear you. When you go to battle with the devil for your own soul, family, or life situations - the Lord God will be sure to block your path. When once you were able to stand against your enemies, you will now find that you are powerless to do so.

 

In summary, let's examine the deviation that one undergoes who rebelliously joins with idolaters -

 

#1. He loses the dread of and abhorrence for sin. This is the first thing that goes in the life of one who fellowships with the ungodly. This hatred for sin wears off by degrees as he - in compliment to his friends - pays respect to their gods in what seems like an innocent conversation or a friendly visit.    

 

#2 Proverbs 4:5 admonishes us with these words - "Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not: neither decline from the words of my mouth." The second thing to go in the life of one who fellowships with the ungodly is spiritual discernment - the ability to discern right from wrong. It is as if the "eyes of one's understanding" are plucked out so as to not recognize the "snares and traps" to temptation of sin that are surrounding his further movements.

 

#3 The third step in this down-hill slide away from God is to become inordinately affectionate toward the idols of his friends whereby he grows fascinated by them.

 

#4 It isn't long before he is wretchedly entangled in affection to these same idols - indulging in all kinds of lusts and corruptions - along with his friends.

 

#5 The God Who once used His power to protect this obedient one now turns against him because of his disobedience. Hence, he is not able to stand before the devil - the "thief" who comes to "steal," "kill," and "destroy"(John 10:10). 

 

A good way to put an end to all of your victories, O Christian, is to become involved in the idolatry of those in your midst.

 

Is this what you want?

Do you really want God to have no other choice than to become your enemy?

 

Stop everything and examine your relationships.

If you are fellowshipping with someone who is entertaining idols, have enough Holy Ghost sense to break off that relationship before it ruins your life and dooms your soul for all eternity.   

 

Pastor Henry said this - "We are in danger of having fellowship with the works of darkness if we take pleasure in fellowshipping with those that do those works."

 

And God's Word has the final say - "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them"(Ephesians 5:11).