“2026: Year of the Explosion” Day 7: Don’t end up worshipping what you were fighting.

“And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. And they left their gods there, and David gave command, and they were burned.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭14‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Most Christians know that God will not tolerate idolatry. Indeed, in addition to prohibition of idolatry being the first of the Ten Commandments, the Old Testament is fraught with examples of God being angry with His people because of idolatry. Time and again the people of God are warned against idolatry, even into the New Testament, through the teachings of Jesus, as well as through various New Testament writers.

Consider the loving admonition of John:

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Paul also confronts and warns against idolatry:

“For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬-‭12‬, ‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Notice, Paul’s warning is to “flee,” to run from idolatry. I think that for most Christians, the falling into forms of idolatry comes as the result of trying to navigate the slippery slope of loving the things of this world. Friend, that particular slippery slope often ends in full scale idolatry that started with covetousness and love of pleasure.

In today’s portion of the Baal-perazim victories, we see that when the enemy was defeated, David ordered the burning of the gods they had brought into battle. Now consider: Some of these objects were probably valuable, or could even be seen as “souvenirs” of a great victory in battle; but David did not want to take any chance that those who took the idols, would somehow be drawn into the worship of the demons they represented.

Looking back at Paul’s warning about idolatry referenced above, let us consider the verses that follow his admonition:

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬-‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As God works through us to bring victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil, let us not be sloppy in our living, ultimately embracing the very things that can pull us into putting something before God, becoming an idol.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!