Today’s 333 Devotional: “Not Cursed, But Seduced”

We cannot be cursed, but we can be seduced.

This is the outcome of Balaam’s advice to Balak, king of Moab. While Balaam continued trying to find ways to curse Israel to receive the king’s money, the Lord prohibited him from doing so. But the lure of greed was too much, so instead of cursing Israel Balaam advised Balak to cast a stumbling block before them.

Jesus called this the doctrine of Balaam in his letter to the church in Pergamos.

“I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.” (Revelation 2:14)

This is seen in what followed.

“The people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel.” (Numbers 25:1-3)

Today there are no curses for those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ, because He took the curse of the law upon Himself when He died upon the cross.

The Apostle Paul said, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’” (Galatians 3:13)

And while the curse of the law has been taken away, it doesn’t mean we cannot be seduced away from our faith.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1)

And so, while we are no longer under the curse, we can still be seduced to sin. To combat this stay daily in God’s word and follow it, not what others may say.