The Corruption of Balaam’s Doctrine
Despite their faith in Christ, their steadfastness for Christ and contention against the four cults in Pergamos, Christ found out some things wrong in the lives of some members. There were two false doctrines, resulting in evil practices, evil association and unequal yoke held by some people in the church at Pergamos
‘But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate’ (Revelation 2:14-15).
Consequences of Immoral Associations
Some held the corrupting doctrine of Balaam, teaching believers to marry unbelievers and eat from sacrifices to idols. The doctrine of Balaam came after Balaam failed to curse the children of Israel. He was invited to curse the children of Israel by king Balak of the Moabites. In the process, they built seven altars into three times but all their enchantment against Jacob failed. In the twenty one altars, they tried divinations but could not succeed
‘And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?’ (Numbers 23:17).
‘He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them’ (Numbers 23:21).
‘Surely, there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!’ (Numbers 23:23).
In their enchantment and divination, they discovered that there was no iniquity and perverseness in the camp of Israel. Because of the absence of iniquity and perverseness, the curses could not work. All their enchantments and divinations failed. Anywhere they tried to penetrate the camp of God’s people with a curse, righteousness and unity with God blocked the curses. The presence of God was everywhere in the camp and was filled with testimonies of God’s greatness and divine presence from every side. In frustration, Balaam advised Balak to use the wayward daughters of Moab to seduce the children of Israel to commit immorality in the camp to remove God’s presence and unity among them will be affected. Balaam’s counsel was that with sin of immorality, there will be iniquity and perverseness. With iniquity in the camp, God’s presence will be withdrawn and disobedience to leadership will take over. There will be disobedience to the shout of the king and the leader’s preaching will be despised. That is the beginning of the doctrine of Balaam
The Impact on the Church and Its Leadership
It became a way of life, a doctrine that was later accepted, allowed and taught in many churches. It became a way of life in many churches where ladies are allowed to sleep with men before marriage. In some churches today, pastors, ministers, workers and members practice ungodly friendship. Everyone has boyfriends or girlfriends and it is accepted as a way of life. Once someone propose to a lady, they start living like husband and wife. Men, women, married and singles are licensed to commit immorality. Worldly dressings, careless visitations, carnal imitations, sinful practices and all manner of sinful familiarities, foolish talks, and worldly practices are allowed and approved. Pastors, parents receive gifts of money, material things from members and daughters without knowing how they get the money. Programs that encourage immorality among the youths are encouraged
‘And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye everyone his men that were joined unto Baal-peor. And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation…. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand’ (Numbers 25:1-6, 9).
After the counsel from Balaam, Balak dressed the daughters of Moab and released them to seduce the children of Israel in the camp. While the children of Israel were camping in Shittim, praising God and thanking him, they saw beautiful girls walking around them. It was the daughters of Moab in their seductive attires. There are churches where their ladies dress like the daughters of Moab. The church in Pergamos overcame false worship, the influence of four cults in their midst but failed in the doctrine of Balaam. When some of the children of Israel in the camp of Shittim saw these beautiful worldly dressed seductive ladies, they lusted after them. Some dresses can distract true worshippers, godly men and powerful ministers. That was what happened at Shittim camp among the children of Israel. So many girls are married today because of the way they dressed, not because it is God’s will. That is why there are many problems today in Christian families. That is why the body of Christ is experiencing many separation and divorce today. Many unbelieving women have entered into the church. Their purpose is to seduce pastors, ministers, workers and members. They marry, separate, divorce to cause problems in the body of Christ. They are agents of the devil, looking for believers to destroy. Many pastors, ministers, believers have spiritually divorced their wives, separated because of such seductive ladies, others have killed their partners through witchcraft or physical poisoned to marry their idols. If God allows every married person to go ahead and divorce today, more than eighty percent of marriages will be ended. When the beautiful daughters of Moab entered into the camp of the children of God in Shittim, the youths and some married men lost their control. Their praise-worship was defiled, polluted and contaminated. Some preachers and interpreters lost their focus and lusted after the daughters of Moab. After the service, power changed hands, phone numbers, contact addresses were changed, appointments in hotels and private places increased. True love in relationships and marriages died completely and lusts replaced them. Within few hours, immorality multiplied and God saw it. Believers fellowship reduced in number and excuses multiplied. The worships, preaching and other godly activities were polluted. There was whoredom and immorality with the daughters of Moab. The preaching of Moses, the king, leaders of God’s people on salvation, relationship with God, holiness and God’s true power began to irritate the sinful members. God withdraw from the camp.