I Prayed have prayed
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Baal was a false god the feckless Jewish King Ahab and his wicked wife, Jezebel, attempted to force upon the nation of Israel during the time of Elijah the prophet (see 1 Kings 18). Consequently, during this tumultuous time, most Jews kept their faith and identity outwardly but bowed to Baal when necessary to appease Jezebel as well as mainstream culture.

The same is happening today with so-called Christians who espouse anti-biblical views that honor the prevailing culture but dishonor God.

During his opposition to Jezebel, Elijah grew weary because nobody else came forward to stand with him and the Lord. At that point, God told him that there was a remnant of 7,000 who had not bowed their knee to Baal (see 1 Kings 19 and Rom. 11:2-4).

The challenge Elijah had was that the preponderance of this remnant was hiding in caves (see 1 Kings 18:13), leaving him all alone to battle the dark forces working through the political system.

In the present day, it also seems as though there is only a remnant of biblically-based confessing churches and believers willing to stand against the forces of hell manifesting itself through intolerant group-think activists who want to abolish the first amendment, squelch religious freedom and silence all opposition through Jezebelian laws.

In the context of this article, I use the term “Baal worship” or “bowing to Baal” to refer to professing Christians who acquiesce to the world and compromise the Word of God.

The following are 10 signs you have already bowed your knee to Baal:

1. You accept, celebrate and teach that God blesses alternate forms of marriage and family that dishonor the God of Scripture.

Jesus said “in the beginning God made them male and female ….” when affirming that the form of marriage He affirmed was between one man and one woman (see Matt. 19:4-6). Not marriage between one man and multiple women, robots (humanoids?), or other unbiblical expressions outside of this one-man/one-woman rubric. Truly holding onto this biblical view of marriage has become the telltale sign of either fidelity to Scripture or cultural compromise.

2. You live out the values of pop culture even when they collide with the way of Jesus.

Many (church-attending) Baal-bowing “believers” may not say or preach the wrong thing, but their life choices belie and betray the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (see Jude 3).

3. You are afraid to represent Christ in public because of a fear of persecution

Many believers allow themselves to be intimidated by mainstream culture and kowtow to Baal because of their intense desire to “fit in” with the crowd. They ignore the fact that Jesus taught that those persecuted for righteousness will be blessed (see Matthew 5:11,12).

4. You put personal happiness above the will of God.

Many “Christians” desire above all a life of comfort and ease. Many have falsely been brought into a church with the false claims of the prosperity gospel. However, the moment their quality of life is threatened legally, they will prostate themselves so low before Baal they will clog their nose with the dust of the ground!

The apostle John had something to say to you when he admonished believers not to love the world nor the things of the world (see 1 John 2:15-17).

Your desire for happiness causes you to worship God only when convenient, which means you bow to Baal when it’s inconvenient!

5. You love the praise of men more than the praises of God.

You’re so insecure that you bow to Baal and sell your soul for the affirmation of your co-workers, neighbors and culture.

The apostle John illustrated your life when he wrote that many of the rulers among the Jews believed in Jesus but were afraid to confess Him because they loved the praises of men more than the approval of God (see John 12:42-43). Furthermore, the apostle James said that friendship with the world is to be at enmity with God (see James 4:4). In your desire to appease the world, you unfriend God and friend Baal.

6. You lack a biblical worldview.

Your view of reality and truth is shaped more by secular culture than the Scriptures. As a matter of fact, your lifestyle choices demonstrate that you lift the values, views and vision of secular culture above the Word of God. However—one day—while the world and its Baal worshippers are licking the dust in disgrace, those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars in the firmament (see Dan. 12: 2-3). Your ignorance and lack of pursuing biblical truth are your downfall, resulting in your pathetic obeisance to Baal.

7. You drink the Kool-Aid of groupthink.

Instead of studying the Scriptures with a goal of cultivating the fear of the Lord and discernment so you can apply His truth in culture, you superficially believe and advance the views of pop culture, secular media or your political party without digging beneath the surface. Consequently, you bow your knee to the Baal of celebrity pundits who make a living off of your ignorance.

8. You seek first “self-actualization” instead of God’s kingdom.

Jesus called His true followers to lose their life so they can find it (see Mark 8:35). Some popular preachers allure people by promising them they can be true to themselves and their desires while serving God. This is only true if a person delights in the Lord (see Ps. 37:4) which enables God to trust their desires since they emanate out of a love for Him.

In this world, the most sacred principle is self-expression. In the Scriptures, the most reasonable act is to offer your body wholly up to God so as not to be conformed to this world (see Rom. 12:1-3).

If your main desire in life is self-actualization, you will bow your knee to the Baal god of self-love. If your main desire is the worship of the one true God, your self life will be crucified so Christ can live through you (see Gal. 2:20).

9. You are beholden more to a political party than to His kingdom.

It is so easy to allow other people and/or a group to do the thinking and speaking for you. The problem with this is, in a two-party system like we have in the USA, it is virtually impossible for a political entity that depends upon playing to its base to stay in power to always remain true to biblical standards.

Hence, when you blindly support your political party or leaders (because of entitlements, skin color, racism, economic empowerment or rhetoric), you will invariably find yourself at times bowing your knee to Baal

10. Your identity is intentionally shaped by things other than God’s design for you.

As a God-lover, you derive your identity primarily from the fact you are a child of God (see Eph. 1:3-7, 1 John 3:1). When your primary identity emanates from your ethnicity, vocation or sexual preferences, you will bow your knee to Baal any time you have to choose between those things and biblical standards.

(Excerpted from Charisma News, article by Joseph Mattera.)

Comments (20) Print

Comments

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Viv Barrett
August 6, 2019

Dear LORD, how we thank YOU that we must conquer the false worship in ourselves before standing in the gap for others. As we consider what is precious to YOU we realize the value of each soul and how YOUR plan for relationships is so marvelous. We have been created in YOUR image. That is staggering in impact. Thank YOU for being so Patient and Kind to us and may we receive that and then impart that to others. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.

Suzanne Smith
August 5, 2019

The Democrat Party and the leftists have already bowed the knee to Baal. They are for gay marriage, homosexuality, Ana boarding precious babies who are made in the image of God. They tear them limb from limb from the womb while the baby is screaming inside and now they even have made laws in some states where when a woman has a full-term baby and it’s laying on the birthing table she can decide then to have it killed. Yes the Democrat Party is the party of godlessness. In their 2012 democratic convention which was shown live on television, when the moderator asked how many of them would like to take God out of their platform, almost all of them raise their hands. I called them the party of Satan

MaryAnn
August 4, 2019

Dear Father, Please give me the grace to look at myself in the light of my need for repentance, rather than my need for affirmation by men or self or any other ungodly thing. I repent of baal worship in any way, and I believe that when I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Thank you for the sufficiency of the Blood of Jesus. AMEN.

IFA
August 3, 2019

How wonderful to see such humble and repentant hearts in these intercessors!

TD
August 3, 2019

Oh Elohim, all praise and worship belongs to You, no other god before You! I repent, gracious Abba, for allowing the cares of this world to creep and sometimes take dominion over us. I repent for allowing lawlessness to remain in the land You so mercifully gave us to rule and reign, forgive us, Oh Father for not taking the dominion over the area you have placed us in to be Ekklesia. I repent for allowing abortion, no prayer in schools and lawless politicians to be the rule of the land after Jesus gave us the keys of the earth to rule and reign when He lawfully took them out of the enemy of souls’ hand. You have given Holy Spirit to teach us to be rulers and we have failed, forgive us. Strengthen us, Holy Spirit with laser focused discernment, divine revelation, knowledge and Truth into the divine nature of Abba and your power to take possession of this land and fulfill our divine calling. I thank you for Your forgiveness through the shed Blood of Yeshua and for allowing us another opportunity to take You at Your Word and spread the Gospel. I thank you on behalf of my brothers and sisters that You have given us a Spirit of Love, Power and Sound Mind. We are Your army ready to take possession, Oh Father, that your kingdom is established in, on and under the earth as it is in Heaven. Amen

Patricia Moulton
August 3, 2019

Father, forgive me where I have trespassed against You. Help me to make righteous decisions to follow You and lift my knee from Baal. I need your help to see rightly, act rightly and keep my eyes on You.

1
Virginia
August 3, 2019

Dear Lord Jesus, Sovereign King,
We bow to you in sorrowful repentance for losing the territory on our watch. We cannot hide with the walls of Church or family but must be out in the poltical world of earthly power. The power of the sword in the kingdoms of earth are governed by mortals. The Heavenly Kingdom, Your Kingdom,
demands more than mortal wisdom. The gift of repentance and grace purchased by the blood of Jesus and the promise of the Holy Spirit that gives us access to Your Almighty Throne is all our hope.
Give us the courage and wisdom, not to keep silent, but to fight with all the Spiritual Armor and to back the legitimate authority of the Judeo-Christian system of Justice with Mercy. Protect our duly elected President, our Law Enforcement, and Military under our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Lead us into all Truth and expose the works of darkness. There is another generation already here that we must somehow reach who speak the language of the digital age. All languages belong to you. We pray that you show us the way. We will not give up. We will keep on. We put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to pick us up and set us on our feet when we fall. We don’t quit!

    Jan Echols
    August 21, 2019

    Amen and Amen to heart rendering prayers. Please forgive us for failing this younger generation; we led good lives to please ourselves instead of being a living sacrifice for Your honor and glory. We are reaping a whirlwind of evil. We need you, Lord. Purify my heart and create a right Spirit within me. In Yashua Jesus’ name I pray.

Lee jennings
August 3, 2019

Amen and amen to all these prayers

Carol Hedrick
August 3, 2019

Father, I ask that You strengthen Your People who are called by Your name. I ask that You give Your people, boldness to stand in the midst of turmoil and to not waver one inch in the face of whatever comes. I ask that You woo the ones with Your Spirit that may have gotten off track and have bowed their knee to Baal to return to You and repent and ask forgiveness. I ask that You open the blind eyes, the deaf ears, loosen the faint tongue, strengthen weak knees and arms. Turn around the ones of us, who have wavered and make us strong in the power of Your might. Give us the determination, in You to stand no matter what we will lose, whether material, or physical. Teach us, to wait upon You LORD for Your guidance, and direction. Give us the determination, fortitude and the will of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Who did Your will even unto death. For Father, without Your working in us Your character, none of us can stand, because it’s You and You alone who makes us stand in the midst of the storm and turmoil. Give us Your wisdom and discernment to know and do the correct thing for You, and not for any political party or for any other reason except for the love of You, and Your Son, Jesus Christ.
We honor You and Your Son, Jesus Christ and we worship Your holy name. Father, help us to bring glory to Your name, just as Your Son Jesus Christ has done and is still doing.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Teresa Farrell
August 3, 2019

Amen hallelujah

Jane
August 3, 2019

Thank You for this word to believers! God’s Word is our anointed Guide Book. Lord help us NOT to bow down to any false god.

Beware of the Jezebel spirit in the church who twist and manipulate the truth for their own gain, not caring who is destroyed in the process, be on the alert!
Be Strong in the Lord.
“Study to show yourself approved of the Lord, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” 2 Tim 2:15
“Thy Word was found and I did eat it…….”. Jeremiah 15:16

Maranatha

    Alan K. Veasey
    August 3, 2019

    Amen Jane. May we pray for boldness: first to obey then to witness the truth.

    Barbara C Roberts
    August 3, 2019

    The spirit of Jezebel is very much alive, even in our churches. She wants the vineyard, she is a territorial spirit and she manifests through very hurt and angry people who gain access to a church, a business, a political party through gaining favor with leadership and then she shuns anyone who she feels threatened by. We see this in the political world, in the corporate world and on and on. Jesus welcomed everyone and he gave us all giftings and callings which he wants leadership to nurture in a open, safe environment. Derrick Prince said that this territorial spirit is operating in most churches. Certainly, in the business and political arena also. We need to pray for free access and liberty in our great land of America for those who are called by His name for His glory.

Dale Y.
August 3, 2019

Right on, Sandra! May the 7,000 (and thousands of thousands) of faithful believers “who have NOT bowed the knee to Baal” stand up and stand strong for God!

Mary M
August 3, 2019

Thank you Lord for this insightful and truth bearing message from Charisma News. We are all guilty at one time or another of bowing our knees to baal. Our own culture and many churches have compromised Your Word and prostrated themselves shamelessly at his feet. Help our Nation Oh Lord for there our many who recognize the trap and will not bow down to the false god of this culture. We need Spirit-actualization not self-actualization. Send a fresh wave of Your precious Holy Spirit to revive and encourage the weary who labor in ministries of Your Word, and those who are in prayer for our Nation. Raise up fresh new recruits to be bold and stand firm in preaching Your Word and Your Truth. Protect them, embolden them and enlighten them. In the Precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

Sandra H
August 3, 2019

This piece is right and skillfully done….separating the chaff from the wheat in our culture today. May God’s Holy Spirit stir a surrendered boldness in all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ for salvation. May we set our hearts to keep Biblical Truth the focus of all our devotion, declarations of faith, and purpose of heart. Let our words be straightforward and true to God’s Word…..never caving to the Baal worship of our culture.

Partner with Us

Intercessors for America is the trusted resource for millions of people across the United States committed to praying for our nation. If you have benefited from IFA's resources and community, please consider joining us as a monthly support partner. As a 501(c)3 organization, it's through your support that all this possible.

Dave Kubal
IFA President
Become a Monthly Partner

Share

Click below to share this with others

Log in to Join the Conversation

Log in to your IFA account to start a discussion, comment, pray, and interact with our community.