List the acts of worldliness God condemned in Israel, that is evident in the church today? Answer according to the scriptures below
“Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers. Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots: their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made: and the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.”
Isaiah 2:6-9 KJV
“For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, the mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, the captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable. When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand: in that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people. For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory. The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.”
Isaiah 3:1-11 KJV
“Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, the chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, the bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, the changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, the glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty. Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.”
Isaiah 3:16-20, 22-25 KJV
1 answer
The passages from Isaiah highlight several acts of worldliness that God condemned in Israel, which can also be observed in contemporary church settings. Below are the specific acts mentioned in the scriptures and their relevance today:
Adoption of Foreign Practices:
Scripture Reference: "they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines" (Isaiah 2:6).
Contemporary Application: The church may incorporate secular practices, ideologies, or beliefs that are contrary to biblical teachings, seeking acceptance or relevance in culture rather than maintaining spiritual integrity.
Materialism and Emphasis on Wealth:
Scripture Reference: "their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures" (Isaiah 2:7).
Contemporary Application: Many churches today may focus excessively on material wealth, prosperity teachings, and the accumulation of riches, often leading congregants to prioritize financial success over spiritual growth.
Idolatry and Worship of Man-Made Things:
Scripture Reference: "their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands" (Isaiah 2:8).
Contemporary Application: Idolatry can manifest in various forms in the church today, such as an overemphasis on celebrity pastors, church buildings, or programs that distract from genuine worship of God.
Pride and Haughtiness:
Scripture Reference: "the daughters of Zion are haughty" (Isaiah 3:16).
Contemporary Application: A spirit of pride can infiltrate the church, leading to arrogance among congregants or leadership, as well as a lack of humility in approaching God and serving others.
Materialism in Personal Appearance:
Scripture Reference: "taking away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments" (Isaiah 3:18).
Contemporary Application: An obsession with outward appearance and fashion can overshadow spiritual values. This can often be seen in church contexts where status is tied to personal aesthetics rather than character.
Injustice and Oppression:
Scripture Reference: "the people shall be oppressed, every one by another" (Isaiah 3:5).
Contemporary Application: Issues of injustice, exploitation, or oppression within and outside the church community can be overlooked. The church may become complicit in social injustices by failing to advocate for the marginalized.
Rebellion and Open Sin:
Scripture Reference: "they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not" (Isaiah 3:9).
Contemporary Application: The church may experience a climate where sin is openly practiced and celebrated, leading to a lack of conviction regarding moral standards and biblical teachings.
Misplaced Leadership:
Scripture Reference: "I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them" (Isaiah 3:4).
Contemporary Application: There can be a lack of mature, wise leadership within congregations, with inexperienced or unqualified individuals given leadership roles, leading to poor guidance and decision-making.
These acts of worldliness serve as a call for introspection within the church today. Through reflection on these behaviors, congregations may seek to align themselves more closely with biblical standards and pursue a more genuine, faithful walk with God.
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