The other gods….

Why does the bible refer to other gods so often? Why does Genesis say “THEY” created man in “THEIR” image? Why did Israel struggle so hard with the worship of other gods? I don’t understand why Christians struggle so much with understanding these other gods and confronting their misguided authority. These are fallen angels with satan still operating with powers beyond man’s ability to comprehend, or “godlike” powers, just as they have done to every nation since after the time of the Great Flood. Their influence over the cultures of nations is why the world is where it is today with crime, homosexuality, high divorce rates, infidelity in marriage, pornography addiction, child abuse, abortion, drug and alcohol addiction, the worship of money, abuse of political power, abusive legal and tax systems, etc, etc….. These are the fingerprints of the “other” gods. Their influence is why we are ostracized and isolated, considered radical religious extremists, or conspiracy theorists, for worshiping the Most High God, who is the only sovereign God over all the heavens and the earth. When we submit ourselves to Him, we fall under His sovereign authority. Those who engage in the behavior of the fallen angels, are under the sovereignty of those lesser gods and destined to their painful mutual destruction.

Yet, we have a responsibility out of love and compassion to pray for those who are under the influence of the lesser gods, that they might come out from under their grip. It is so easy to hate them, yet to hate them is also a fingerprint of these lesser gods, that the lost remained destined to destruction and the wrath of God.

When do we know that we have fully come to know God the Father and Yehshua the Son? When we can pray for the homosexuals, abortionists, traffickers, politicians, prostitutes, thieves and rapists, that they come out from under the influence of the lesser gods. This is the highest calling we can achieve as believers of Yehshua, to love and pray for our enemies.

“But I say unto you, love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

“But I say unto you which hear, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” (Luke 6:27-28)

We also have the authority to effectively pray against them who seek to harm or destroy us. My favorite evidence of this is Psalm 91: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”

But there are many evidences of God’s willingness to protect and defend us from the destructive power of the lesser gods.

Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.”

2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”

Psalm 46:1  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Deuteronomy 31:6  “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

Isaiah 41:10  “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Psalm 32:7  “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.”

Psalm 34:7 (One of my favorites!) “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

Proverbs 18:10  “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

Psalm 138:7  “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.”

Romans 12:19  “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

Hebrews 13:6  “So that we may BOLDLY say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

2 Timothy 4:8  “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Romans 8:31  “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Psalm 121:7-8  “The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”

And if you still doubt His protection over us as His people and chosen elect? Read Deuteronomy chapter 28!! But remember that if we want God’s protection, we cannot be under the influence of the lesser gods. We must always be in a state of repentance and seeking to walk closer and closer with Yehshua, that we may find favor with the ultimate judge of all, the Most High God.

“Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”

John 9:31