Playing Games

Deuteronomy 4:3-4

In law enforcement, there is most certainly a code of blue. However, there are two schools of thought as to what that means. One view is that you do not tell on a fellow officer no matter what they do. The other view is that you support a fellow officer as long as they do not blatantly violate the law. In other words, if a use of force is questionable, you support the officer. If they beat a helpless person to death you would not stand with that officer. Good officers are in the second category. They remember that their job is law enforcement. Yes, there is a fraternity, but the oath of office is paramount.

I was an officer's officer. When there was a need, I was there. I provided backup and support if I was available, (and sometimes when I should not have). Staff knew that. I used that to my advantage to listen in to conversations with officers who were suspected of being dirty. I could not stand an officer who disgraced the badge. I took advantage of them thinking I was 100% loyal to officers, instead of 100% loyal to the law. It was deceptive, but it worked. Moses tells of another person who looked one way, but was something else.

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Your eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal Peor; for the Lord your God has destroyed from among you all the men who followed Baal of Peor. But you who held fast to the Lord your God are alive today, every one of you.

Deuteronomy 4:3-4

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Back Story: As the children of Israel were moving through the desert, the king of Moab became spooked. He decided that the best course of action was to invoke the gods to curse Israel. He hired a prophet named Balaam to pronounce a curse on them. Long story short, God did not allow Balaam to curse Israel, but rather he blessed them. Knowing that God would not allow him to curse Israel, he gave the king advice. He told the king that if he would send the pretty girls of Moab to Israel to seduce the men, they could lead them into the worship of the Moabite gods. Then, God would judge Israel himself. This happened, and God did indeed judge Israel. However, Balaam was also killed in battle for his treachery.

Thoughts: Though called a prophet, Balaam was not what he seemed. He spoke the words of God, but his actions were evil. There has been debate as to if Balaam was a prophet of God. The answer is "No". God has spoke through many men who did not follow him throughout scripture. Balaam, King Saul, and Caiaphas are a few. Because they spoke words from God, does not mean they served God. King Solomon wrote, "The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes" (Proverbs 21:1).

Many times evil people who appear to be good will insert themselves into our lives. They initially come across as nice, friendly, helpful, or even as good Christians, but over time they begin to show their true colors. As this happens, we often miss it because we quit looking. Before long we have been caught up in something that blindsides us. If we are not careful, friendships can be damaged, or churches can be split. There is also the possibility of God's judgment because we get lured into sin.

We should not go through life suspicious of everyone, but we also cannot afford to walk through life blind. Peter wrote, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 5:8). If we seek after holiness and pray for wisdom, God will help us see these traps as they arise.

I will end with a word of warning. The writer of Hebrews said, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31). The church is no place to play games. We should never pretend to be something we are not. Being overly suspicious is wrong, and being gullible and unwise is wrong. Jesus said, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16). When we start playing politics, being deceptive, manipulative, or divisive, God is not in that. I have seen God's judgment come on those who cause harm to His church.

Father, help us to be wise in our dealings with people, but not suspicious and unloving. Give us pure hearts that do not try to be deceptive, divisive, or political in our dealings with others. If we are wrong, we pray as the Psalmist prayed, "O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure" (Psalm 6:1).