Syncretism

Syncretism is when people blend different religions together for what they hope is a more fulfilling spiritual experience and satisfaction. There is a more common term for this practice - idolatry.

One of the most dangerous practices today is ancestor worship. Many cultures believe they can call on dead ancestors to help them in the here and now - give them support somehow. Perhaps divine the future for them. There are those that will call out their names as if the dead can hear them - have a seance to conjure their spirits so they can speak to them or even offer sacrifices to them. All of this is demonic and forbidden. Trying to relate to the dead is called necromancy. 

That is a door no one wants open. 

Leviticus 19:26b says, "You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes."

Leviticus 19:31 says, "Do not turn to mediums or nercromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourself unclean by them. I am the Lord your God."

The worst kind of syncretism is combining Biblical Christianity with a bastardized counterfeit gospel such as: the social gospel, name-and-claim-it-positive-confession-prosperitygospel. Others will add black liberation theology or Catholicism. 

I guess they want to make sure they have all their bases covered.

So reader, tell me, since when is Jesus not enough? Why are so many involved in Satanic rituals? Moses said in Exodus 20:2-3, "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me."

In 1 Corinthians 10:20-22, we read, "Pagans do not sacrifice to God, but to demons. He (Paul) goes on to say, "I do not want you to be involved with demons. You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?"

Being syncretistic is the most unholy thing a person can do. Do not ever mix Christianity with paganism. Jesus did not suffer and die so that we could live idolatrous lives!

The very reason the nation of Israel was destroyed back in antiquity is because they forsook God and began worshipping the gods of their wicked neighbors - first the Northern kingdom was taken captive by the Assyrians in ca 722 B.C., and the Southern kingdom by the Babylonians in ca 586 B.C. 

God had mercy on them and allowed them under King Cyrus to return to the Jerusalem ruins to rebuild their temple beginning in 538 B.C. (Ezra Chapter 1) only for the temple to be destroyed again by the Romans in 70 A.D. by Emperor Titus. Why? Because they rejected God Almighty in the flesh - Jesus Christ. This is what Jesus prophesied against the nation, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.'" (Matthew 23:37-39; Luke 19:41-44).

The Syncretist lacks faith

We as humans are impatient creatures. We live in a microwave society. We run through red lights and many will not stop at stop signs. We drive too fast on the streets and highways and most of us will not control our tongues. I want to offer some suggestions that will help us be more faithful to the Lord.

1. Pray more. The Bible commands us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Communicating with the Lord should never be a dry and boring ritual. You must realize that you are talking to Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe. He allows us to come to His throne and worship Him anytime we want (Hebrews 4:16). Do not neglect the privelege you have in Christ. The unbeliever does not have this blessing. God is not listening to those who are not His
2. Study the Bible. Psalm 119:105 says the word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. God's word is a treasure of wisdom and knowledge. What I have learned is that it only benefits those who take it seriously. You must realize the Christian will not be victorious without it. God's word is his self revelation. When we understand the revelation, that is illumination - wisdom and knowledge. God communicates to us through holy scripture. This is where we learn how to live the life of Christ. The 66 books of the Bible are eternal love letters to the world. Blessed are those who read them and do what they command. Spiritually speaking, when the believer knows who they are what they have in Christ, they will have ultimate confidence which produces joy and peace. They will never lack anything, ever!
3. Live your Christian life out loud. Understand when I say this, it does not mean we are obnoxious with our faith. But rather we defend the faith we have with vigor. The world has no problem selling lies and propoganda like a dealer selling dope on the streets, so we have to be sold out to the truth of the gospel. 1 Peter 3:15 commands us to, "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

Living a life of faith and not syncretism is a choice. We must trust the Lord whole heartedly. No, its not always easy, but its rewarding. Children of God must be Biblically minded, always. If you're not, then you will be distracted by worldly things which will make you ineffective for the kingdom. We must have an eternal mindset - meaning we realize this material world will pass away (Matthew 24:35). As a matter of fact, this world is going to burn, literally (2 Peter 3:7-10).

Concluding, carefully examine your life long family traditions and what you have been told 1 Thessalonians 5:21 commands us to, "Test everything; hold fast to that which is good." Verse twenty two commands us to abstain from every form of evil. If your traditions  are unbiblical, abandon them immediately. Just because something is familiar and comfortable, it could be subtley pulling you away from the truth - deceiving you without  notice. 

Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day for their ungodly traditions. In Matthew 15:1-9:

Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, "Why do your disciples break the tradition (emphasis on word tradition) of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat." He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of  your tradition? For God commanded, "Honor your father and mother", and "Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.' But you say, "if anyone tells his father or his mother, "what you would have gained from me is given to God, " he need not honor his father.' So for the sake of your tradition you have made the void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of  you, when he said:

"'This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men'" (Isaiah 29:13).

Whoever has ears to hear let them hear.