Here also is one of those vain prayer meetings in which a man who already knows God’s will plays the fool with his guidance. When Balak’s emissaries came, Balaam advised them to stay around until he talked to God some more. There are men today who know what God wants them to do, but they put up a pious pretense of waiting still further on God, in the secret hope that perhaps God will change His mind. There are times to pray, but there are times when Moses is not to cry unto God, but to “ speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” It does no good for Joshua to lie upon his face after the defeat of Ai: let him get up and find the Achan in the camp! It is of no avail for Balaam to have another prayer meeting when he will not be true to the light he has already received. He has God’S directive will, but he will not be content until in God’s permissive will he sets out to do what he really wanted to do all the time. “Let me die the death of the righteous,” prayed Balaam. But the Word continues the story: “Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.” Eloquent flights of rapturous oratory do not entitle one to the glorious exit of the righteous. Poetic prayers have often honored God with the lips while the heart was far from Him. We are seriously infected today with a brand of religiosity that matches Balaam’s eloquence in public, but all the while manages to stand In with Balak and collect the financial reward. We fear the Lord and serve our own gods. “Neverthless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.” There is a very popular brand of Christianity now in vogue in our great and prosperous church bodies, that praises God in pious perorations on Pisgah, but manages to strike a deal with Balak on the side. One would think that the New Testament had nothing to say about being a friend of the world and an enemy of God. Concord of Christ and Belial, communion of light with darkness, fellowship of the temple of God with idols: this is the strange spectacle one beholds as men and churches and religious bodies let the world make them rich. If you wonder how men can praise the light and peddle dark ness, if you cannot understand how men can ascend to Pisgah and stoop to perdition at the same time, you really need not be surprised. It is Balaam brought up to date. Try to fathom the perversion of that prophet's heart and you will not wonder that the Book calls the human heart deceitful and desperately wicked. Let it strike holy terror to your own soul, and arouse you to watch and pray lest, having preached to others, you should be a castaway. I am persuaded that not a few today walk In the course of Balaam unwittingly, not having really examined their course in the light of the Spirit and the Word. It is time for a hearty fresh singing of "My soul, be on thy guard!” Balaam, the two-faced! Spurgeon tells us that the verse, “No man can serve two masters,” is often mis understood. He can serve three or four. The way to read it is this: “No man can serve two MASTERS.” They can not both be masters. He can serve two, but they can not both be his master . . . he cannot live for more than one master purpose—there can only be one master purpose in his Soul. “This one thing I do”—ah, that is it! Imagine Paul striking a deal with the Balaks of his day! None of those things moved him. Do not be deceived by eloquence on Pisgah. Remem ber that the same Balaam who uttered those rare literary gems gave advice of a sort most foul and de grading. The trouble with this spirit that courts the favor of Balak is that it is capable of things worse than that: it proclaims an unchanged heart full of corruption. It is merely a symptom of a worse disease. God grant us a heart that is perfect toward Him! JUNE, 1947
How Does Your Conversation Rate? A Quiz For Christians By Betty Bruechert 1. Is my grammar good, and do I try to improve my vocabulary? □ 2. Am I more interested in discussing principles than persons? □ 3. Is my speech free from slang and other objection able expressions? □ 4. Am I careful not to be garrulous? □ 5. When with a group, do I give others a chance to express their opinions, or do I dominate the entire conversation myself? □ 6. Do I avoid talking much about myself, either boast- ingly or disparagingly? □ 7. Can I relate an incident in an interesting manner, without exaggeration? □ 8. Do I keep my difficulties to myself, refusing to be a complainer? □ 9. Am I completely chaste in every word I utter? □ 10. Do I shun silly, unprofitable, worldly conversa tion? □ 11. Do I speak kindly and respectfully to elderly peo ple, and do I have merry, winning words for little children? □ 12. Would I rather talk about ideas than clothes, about books than money? □ 13. Do I keep up with world affairs so that I can dis cuss them intelligently? □ 14. Do I defend my absent friends when they are being criticized in a general conversation? □ 15. Do I accompany my words with a smile? Q 16. Am I able to speak comfortingly to those in trouble? □ 17. Do I make an effort not to raise my voice when I become excited? □ 18. Can I enjoy an evening of conversation with other Christians about the things of God? □ 19. Am I careful not to employ Scriptural expressions in a light way? □ 20. Do I speak candidly and earnestly, without trying to make an impression upon anyone? □ 21. Do I speak as kindly to my own family as I do to others? □ 22. Am I aware that my daily conversation may hurt or help others spiritually? □ 23. Do I really try to control my tongue, not saying much when I am angry or upset? □ 24. Can I draw out others in conversation about their personal interests and ideas? □ 25. Do I pray for God to “set a watch before my lips” that I may always speak for His glory? □ 7ou may allow yourself k for each question to which you can honestly answer, “ Yes." When you have totaled your score, consider it prayerfully. Next month’s questions will deal with the way in which the Christian spends his time. fi| t Seven
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