Double Minded Worship

Double Minded Worship

DOUBLE-MINDED WORSHIP

These nations feared the LORD, and served their heaven images, both their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so they do unto this day. 2 Kings 17:41

What a horrifying historical observation!

These nations, like Israel, had been double-minded. They had sought to serve both God and idols. They had claimed and practiced a certain degree of the God-fearing lifestyle, but had simultaneously served the pagan gods that had infiltrated their culture.

This double-minded worship was, in itself, pitiful and destructive enough. But the tragedy was multiplied exponentially by the fact their children and grandchildren had followed in their footsteps. What began as one person’s disobedience became the sinful tendency of later generations.

Then this horrifying historical observation by the author, about 300 years after the events he is describing: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day. The chain of mediocre religion had continued for centuries, being passed down from one family to the next.

The same sad story is being re-enacted in countless homes today. Parents and grandparents think they are getting away with half-hearted service to God, while also pursuing the pleasures and applause of the world, but are leaving behind them generations of young people who have no clear compass in life, who do not know what it is to give their lives as a living and single-minded sacrifice to God.

Dear parent, dear grandparent, do not let this be your legacy! Teach your children and grandchildren to love God with all their heart and might, and then show them how to do it by living out the Christian life before them.

Prayer: Lord, help me love and serve You with all my heart, soul and body as an inspiration to future generations.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Kings 17:34-41

34 To this day they continue practicing the former rituals; they do not fear the Lord, nor do they follow their statutes or their ordinances, or the law and commandment which the Lord had commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel,

35 with whom the Lord had made a covenant and charged them, saying: “You shall not fear other gods, nor bow down to them nor serve them nor sacrifice to them;

36 but the Lord, who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm, Him you shall fear, Him you shall worship, and to Him you shall offer sacrifice.

37 And the statutes, the ordinances, the law, and the commandment which He wrote for you, you shall be careful to observe forever; you shall not fear other gods.

38 And the covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods.

39 But the Lord your God you shall fear; and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”

40 However they did not obey, but they followed their former rituals.

41 So these nations feared the Lord, yet served their carved images; also their children and their children’s children

Double Minded Worship