3/17/26

Hosea 4:15 NASB95 Though you, Israel, play the harlot, Do not let Judah become guilty; Also do not go to Gilgal, Or go up to Beth-aven And take the oath: “As the LORD lives!”

Several years ago, the FBI announced that the most dangerous neighborhood in the USA was one that I frequently visited in my business. In fact, I had two customers in this neighborhood. Statistics showed if my memory is correct that 7 out of every ten people who lived in that neighborhood for 10 years would get shot.

I often felt bad about how difficult it was for the children growing up in that area.

We often feel bad for people who live in areas like this and we should because they are surrounded by evil and pushed, encouraged, and pressured to take part in this type of behavior. However, on top of this physical problem in their life, there is a spiritual side of this as well. The only church buildings in the area looked closed or taken over. There was almost no spiritual light.

Here is where our text comes in.

That neighborhood was like Israel in our text. No Spiritual light. There were some remnants of Holy places but they were dead and now run by evil sources. For example, Gilgal was the place of the renewal of the covenant of circumcision but at this point in time, it was known for idol worship. Another example given in our text is Beth-aven (house of iniquity) it was previously known as Bethel (house of God). God warns Judah not to fall into the traps of these places that used to worship him and were known as Holy places, but are now run by false idol worshippers.

He warns don't become guilty of taking an oath by a false idol thinking it is the true God.

We must be cautious.

In this neighborhood, the churches had been replaced by drug houses and gangs. However, in many neighborhoods today just like in the Israel of our text they are often replaced by a beautiful building with a steeple and a sign that says Church. It looks like the house of God but then you find twisted scripture on the wall and a plaque that says we are an "affirming church." Hopefully, you realize it is not a church at all. There is no such thing as a church (the Bride of Christ) that ACCEPTS affirms ANY sin! This is an oxymoron. As we are told by Psalm 5:5 NASB95 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity.

While we know Churches forgive sin as God commands, and He Himself does upon repentance and the atonement of Christ. He and His "Church" shall never affirm nor accept it as ok. Churches and Christians must be cautious where, who, and how we worship. Just as our text reminds Judah not to be fooled into joining in with the majority in Gilgal or Beth-aven.

It is not just places that call themselves and their building a church when they are not. It is found in many places. We are commanded by God to be a part of a local body of believers and in this, we must be obedient to the Holy Spirit's guidance.

Otherwise, we will be fooled.

It is so easy to be fooled when we have so many options today which we cannot truly vet. I asked the Internet to give me an estimate of how many different "preachers" are available online for people to listen to. While it said, No one knows an exact number. It also admitted that "Globally" it would be "millions if you include informal preachers, influencers, and folks in other faiths."

So as God warns the nation of Judah "As the LORD lives!” do not become guilty of being fooled. We must make sure our Church completely follows the Bible. You can not do this living in a community with little to no light. You must live in the inerrant Holy inspired scripture.

Love Bro. Scott