Don't Follow The Way Of Balaam

Peter warns against false prophets and false teachers “who privily shall bring in damnable heresies” (v. 1). He tells us that God will not spare them, but has already reserved their fate “unto the day of judgment to be punished” (v. 9). They lead others astray with their destructive doctrine by “following the way of Balaam,” who was known for compromising his godly principles for the sake of financial gain (Num 22:18). He was a prophet that was hired by the Moabite king Balaak to curse Israel (Num 22:6). But God would not hearken unto Balaam. Instead, He “turned the curse into a blessing” (Deut 23:5). He tried to stop Balaam from doing his evil deeds by causing his donkey to speak (Num 22:28), after it saw an angel of the Lord “standing in the way” (Num 22:31).

Because God knew Balaam’s selfish intentions and He also knows us intimately “altogether” (Ps 139:4). As God’s children, we need to be sensitive to His convictions in our lives (Jn 8:9). He is faithful to “make a way to escape” (1 Cor 10:13), in order to prevent us from doing something foolish! By stopping us, He is trying to protect us and others who may get involved from potentially getting hurt as a result of our actions.

We need to be very careful whenever we are so determined to fulfill our heart’s desires (Jer 17:9), without prayerfully consulting God first (Mt 6:33), or seeking godly counsel (Prov 11:14); thinking that we know better (1 Cor 10:12). Remember, God knows us better than we know ourselves (2 Tim 2:19). Don’t follow the “way of Balaam” by forsaking God’s way (Isa 35:8), in favor of pursuing prideful ambitions (Php 2:3), and monetary gains (1 Tim 6:10). This pathway leads to moral and spiritual corruption, which shall eventually “perish” (Ps 1:6). We need to remain faithful and stedfast (1 Cor 15:58), despite any temptations and deceptions that we may face! God bless you!

- Pastor Melito Barrera