Are You a Syncretist?

Several years ago, I preached a message entitled, The Power of Choice. In this message I was teaching that Satan is at the heart of all sin (1 John 3:8). He deceives people into believing a lie and counsels them to rebel against God. I showed that, the source of all sin is the devil but is manifested through internal (flesh), external (the world) and demonic (demons themselves) influences. In that message I was sharing how the sin influence was from the internal or the flesh. Today I will be dealing with the external sin influence through the world.

The external sin influence through the world is very strong. It has a very enticing animal magnetism that has the ability to draw away any believer. Yes, I said any believer. If we are not daily, (and I mean daily) reading, studying, meditating and doing the Word, any one of us will find ourselves drawn away by the world and its lust.

How can this be when the Word of God is so very clear on a believer's relationship with the world? Here are a few verses on the matter. Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 – Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. James 4:4 - Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 1 John 2:15-17 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. The Bible doesn't get any clearer than this, but yet many saints still struggle. Why?

It's because of syncretism. This word means the attempt or tendency to reconcile differing beliefs; the attempt to reconcile the kingdom of God with the kingdom of Satan. The problem with syncretism is that saints try to reconcile irreconcilable differences, people are unable to distinguish between the church and the world, it opens the door for demonic influence upon the believer who brings it into the church and it causes a humanistic gospel to be preached from the pulpit. So if you find yourself drawn to worldly pleasures and try to justify them, you have to as yourself, "Self, are you a syncretist?"

A syncretist then, is one who practices syncretism, which is nothing more than a fancy term for a carnal Christian. The carnal Christian has the mindset that, ‘I can be a Christian and still,’ trying to combine Christianity with a worldly lifestyle. THIS CANNOT BE DONE. Try as one may, this just cannot be done. Either you are saved sold out and on fire, or you are a syncretist, trying to hold on to your worldly attractions and still serve the Lord. At this point, if your grip on worldly pleasures is so tight that you don't want to let go, you might want to ask yourself, Am I really born-again?

I trust that this weeks topic pricked your conscience if you are not living a sold out life for God. Don't just skim over this devotional and to get to the next one. Do a self examination according to 2 Corinthians 13:5. See for yourself and I pray you discover that you are not a syncretist.

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