Now King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the sons of Israel, You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for they will surely turn your heart away after their gods.” Solomon held fast to these in love. (1 Kings 11:1,2 NKJV)
Most of us think we know how much temptation we can stand. Our flesh pleads with us to sneak up to the tipping point, assuring us as Truth, what experience has already taught us is a lie — If we slide our toe to close to the line of sin, we’ll probably slide it over. Solomon had the same idea. He liked women, I mean, lots of women! — He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines….(vs3a). He had simply convinced himself that he could have relationships with these women and their many strange gods, and he would not be tempted to drift from Adoni. He was wrong — and his wives turned his heart away. (vs3b)
James, the Lord’s earthly half brother put it like this — But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
Solomon was enticed by his own lust for the flesh of these foreign women, but one disobedience led to another, and he eventually worshipped their gods.
Initially, worship of foreign gods can be subtle. It can seem harmless, but the seed of idolatry quickly grows deep roots. Jesus instructed us to worship nothing but Him with single minded and single hearted devotion.
Modern equivalents of the subtle foreign gods of Solomon’s women tempt us every day. They include everything that draws our attention from God.
What is drawing your attention in a direction where Christ is no longer centered in your view? Where is your flesh pleading to go? How close is your toe to the sin-line? What sin is crouching at your door?
In Him,
Steve
Stephen Faulkner 