“But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites— from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love.”
I Kings 11:1-2 NKJV“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.””
II Corinthians 6:14-16 NKJVYoked
Yesterday, I read of Solomon at the height of his influence and power. People came from all over the world to experience his genius and great wisdom. He was at his zenith, his highest point in life. Chapter eleven opens with Solomon sadly turning his heart after other godfs, as he now built places of worship for his many foreign wives.
He had mixed darkness in with his light, and the darkness overwhelmed him.
There is much to be learned for those of us who believe. We are living in a time when the professing church has begun to mix in with the world, seeking to worship based on the values that predominate, and not on the values set forth in the Scriptures.
As a result, there is little to distinguish the Christian from the lost person, as all act on the impulses of the flesh and not the influence of the Spirit.
In the case of Solomon, the Kingdom of David was torn assunder, because he had turned away from God and after others. He had been given great wisdom, great wealth, and great influence, but squandered it on his lusts and his desire for exotic flesh.
For the believer in Jesus Christ, the dangers are spiritual, as we are surrounded by alternative world views that are not of God. The very fabic of our world is constructed of sinful beliefs and practices, that are interwoven into the flawed tapestry of human life. It is hard to avoid becoming entangled.
“Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.””
II Corinthians 6:17-18 NKJV“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
I Peter 2:9-10 NKJVWe maintain our difference by being sure to practice the things that make us peculiar, set apart from the rest of the world. We actively seek our God, our Creator King, Jesus as we read the word, pray, fellowship, worship and actively go out and tell others of Him. Salvation in Jesus has made us different than the rest of the world.
Because of that, we use care in picking those people who have access to our hearts and minds. We choose people who share our moral views to be in the trusted positions. This does not mean that we turn our back on those outside the household of faith, but we do not go to them with our moral questions, and do not allow them to guide our actions and beliefs.
We go amongst them, but we do not become one with them.
Solomon literally kept strange bedfellows and suffered greatly. His suffering was not limited to him, but his entire kingdom suffered as well.
In the spiritual realm, our ministry suffers as our witness is muted. If we do not stand out from the world, we make no case for salvation. Why be saved if it doesn’t change how one lives.
Salvation in Jesus is about transformation. That is the great miracle.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
II Corinthians 5:17 NKJVThe people lost in sin need to see light in the darkness of this world. We who are the redeemed are to bring the light. Pray for the Lord to keep you unspotted, clean, reflecting the cleansing power of the blood of the Lamb.
““You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV
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Musings from an idle mind 
Love this quote Bernie!:
“We go amongst them, but we do not become one with them.” Thanks so much for your hard work in clearly laying out to biblical worldview. May the Lord open doors and may he shine through us. I am praying for you brother.
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