Beware of the angel of light…

It’s not because something seems noble, harmless or trivial, that God has no problem and is ok with it. In a recent post, I explained that David wanted to build a magnificent temple to the glory of the God of Israel; a noble project, which had the approval of the Nation’s Prophet; and yet, God said No to David. This week, we will look at another project of  “the man after God’s heart.” David got up one day and decided to number the people. What’s wrong with that, you may ask? Nothing, on the face of it. Besides, on two different occasions, God asked Moses to number the people in the past (Nu 1 and 26). Also, in Luke 14:28-31, Jesus asks: “Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? … Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand…?” In order to know that you have ten thousands soldiers, you need to count them… So, a census is not a bad thing. However, God was greatly displeased with David’s own and 70 000 innocent people died because of it. Why? 

1) David was loosing sight of the true Source of his strength. After winning many victories, insidiously, he had started to put his trust in the numbers rather than the Lord of Hosts, the One who could save with a little as well as with many. Joab understood what was going on in his master’s head and tried to dissuade him, in vain: “May the Lord add to his people a hundred times as many as they are! Are they not, my lord the king, all of them my lord’s servants? Why then should my lord require this? Why should it be a cause of guilt (trespass, KJV) for Israel?” (1Chron. 21:3) David still went ahead with his plans.

2) Satan was the one behind the idea of the census. Indeed, 1Chr 21:1 reads, “Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.” So, there is no harm in numbering the people…except when it’s the devil that incites you to do so! And if he is the one inciting you, then you can rest assured that it is also to destroy you, ultimately. Likewise, there is no harm eating what you eat; drinking what you drink; going where you go; travelling; wearing what you wear; saying what you say and doing what you do, except if it is the devil who is inciting you to do so. And, sadly, you may not even be able to tell; because Satan can be so subtle that your intended action or project might even appear great and spiritual. Remember Peter? He fell for it. When Jesus informed them of what was going to happen to Him in Jerusalem, Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him saying: “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” (Mat 16:22) His reaction seemed very spiritual –and it was. However, it was not inspired by the Holy Spirit, but by the spirit of the antichrist! And Jesus replied at once: “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art a stumbling- block unto me: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men” (vs. 23).

Oftentimes, we also react as quickly (and badly) as Peter. Is someone sick? “You are healed, in Jesus Name!” A brother might lose his job? “It won’t happen in Jesus’ Name!” And we throw Bible verses, left, right and centre. Yes, our reaction is spiritual and compassionate; but what is God saying in the matter? What if His will is actually the Cross?

In conclusion:

1) It’s not because something is not explicitly forbidden or condemned in the Bible that it is not a sin. Unlike David, Joab was able to discern sin in that infamous census: “Why should it be a cause of guilt (trespass, KJV) for Israel?” Satan often disguises himself as an angel of light (2Cor 11:14). In other words, his suggestions (aka temptation) always look nice. Be careful that your ‘bright’ idea does not end in calamity tomorrow.

2) Mind your real motivations – beware of pride!

3) Never receive your orders from the devil. Jesus did not fall in the trap when Satan asked Him to change the stones into bread, in order to satisfy His hunger (Mat 4). Changing stones into bread was not a bad thing per se, but Jesus didn’t want to show off His power (pride) and He would not take His orders from the devil. Later on, when He multiplied the bread and the fish, it was because that was what God wanted Him to do! You are a servant of God: obey your only Lord and Master.

Have a great week spotting the angel of light in your thoughts and God bless you!