“Why did God allow polygamy in the Old Testament?” I’ve heard that question many times. The truth is, it has always been sin, but it was what many considered an acceptable sin, if they viewed it as sin at all. What sins has our society come to consider acceptable? What sins do you and I consider acceptable?

Also, today, what keeps you from sharing your faith? Fear? Intimidation? Not having the right answers? What is hindering you from being a faithful witness for Christ at a time when many people are fearful and possibly considering eternal things?

Today’s Readings:

Judges 9 & 10
Psalm 50.1-6
Proverbs 14.25-27
Luke 16.1-31

Polygamy & Our Acceptable Sins

Judges 9 & 10:

Acceptable Sins

In Judges 8.30-31, Gideon had committed the sin of polygamy. Though it was tolerated in that society, it was never God’s intent. It always led to trouble and often outright evil as it did here in chapter 9.

We are introduced to Abimelech, Gideon’s son by yet another relationship. He didn’t even marry this woman. Sin always spirals downward unless repented of and forsaken. Abimelech not only conspired to become king of Shechem but set out to kill all of his brothers—70 of them. He succeeded in killing all but one.

If we trace this story back to verse 27, we see Gideon went from his great victory (remember 300 men to fight an enemy whose army was “as numerous as locusts” and who had “camels without number”) to making an ephod and setting it up in his hometown. An ephod, generally, referred to a sacred garment worn by a priest.

Matthew Henry says this may have included some kind of oracle to divine God’s will. The end of verse 27 says, “But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family.”

Our Own Acceptable Sins

Few of us today would consider polygamy or multiple relationships acceptable, at least not as followers of Christ. In fact, adultery is one of the most devastating sins. It affects, not only the couple themselves, but their children, in-laws, and society as a whole. But the truth is sexual immorality and its downward spiral have already taken a huge toll on our society at large.

I dare say if we walked into the average church this Sunday morning, we would find any number of couples who are living together and not married. And most of them are perfectly comfortable attending week after week.

Homosexuality and transgenderism were almost universally understood as sins a decade ago. They have not only become acceptable but they are celebrated, even in some churches.

And lest we become self-righteous because we are not involved in sexual sin, let’s consider what may have become acceptable in our own lives.

Unforgiveness, Envy, Gossip & More

Maybe it’s unforgiveness, envy, jealousy, covetousness, worry, or gossip. We tell ourselves:

“Gossip? It’s not really a big deal. Everyone does it!”

“Worry? I can’t help it if I worry!”

“That guy I flirt with at work? … Hey, I know he’s married, but we’re just friends. I’m not going to do anything!”

What if it were your husband flirting with a female co-worker? Would it seem as harmless?

In reality, there are no “little sins.” No sin is acceptable to God.

The Same Lie, You Can Decide What’s Right or Wrong

Nothing much has changed since the garden. God had given Adam and Eve a clear command, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Gen. 2.16-17).

One chapter later the serpent hissed, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Gen. 3:4-5) 

In other words, you can decide for yourself what’s right and what’s wrong. We start to rationalize:

“Sure we’re living together. I know some people think it’s wrong, but if I don’t let him move in, I’ll be alone. God understands. He doesn’t want me to be unhappy.” Or, “A marriage license is just a piece of paper. We’re committed in our own way.” Or “Things are different now.”

“I know God hates divorce, but I just don’t love him anymore. I can’t help it. God will forgive me.”

“I know he’s an unbeliever, but it’s only lunch.”

“Gimme a break! I’m a man. There’s no harm in looking! My wife is just jealous!”

“Everyone does it. It’s no big deal.”

So, what about you and me? What sins have we allowed to become acceptable? How do we rationalize? May we repent, receive God’s forgiveness, and pray for His help to turn from our acceptable sins and become more like our Savior.

Today’s Other Readings:

Psalm 50.1-6:

The Judge of Heaven and Earth

Verse 1, “The Mighty One, God the LORD …” El, Elohim, Jehovah will one day come, not as the Savior, but as the Judge of heaven and earth (vv. 4, 6). When He does, He will gather His saints (v. 5), but it will be a day of judgment and wrath for those who do not belong to Him.

Our Job

Until then He is drawing people to Himself and He has called us to be part of that process:

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matt. 28.19-20).

So let’s be about our Father’s business by faithfully sharing the gospel with others. We can’t save anyone, but we can sow the seed, water what has been planted, and disciple those who have come to saving faith.

Proverbs 14.25-27:

True Witnesses Needed

Verse 25, “A true witness delivers souls ….” Are you being a true witness for the Lord? Each of us is called to deliver souls from that Day of Judgment. It’s not that we can save anyone but we are His ambassadors and He will work through us if we’re faithful.

Luke 16.1-31:

The Power of God for Salvation

Luke 16.31 should be a great encouragement to us in our witnessing. Verses 19-31 tell the story of a rich but wicked man and a poor beggar named Lazarus. Both died. The rich man went to hell while Lazarus went to be with Abraham. When the rich man implored Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, Abraham said:

If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.

Witnessing isn’t about us. We don’t have to have a great testimony or preaching ability. It’s about the all-sufficient Word of God. The gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1.16).

What About You?

What keeps you from sharing your faith? Fear? Intimidation? Concern that someone won’t like you anymore (fear of man)? Is it not having the right answers? What is hindering you from being that faithful witness?

If it’s a lack of knowing how you might listen to the videos included in these two posts:

“Do You Live with a Sense of Guilt?”

“Could You Be a Christian in Name Only?”

Remember, it’s the Word of God that pierces men’s hearts (Heb. 4.12). It’s the gospel that is the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1.16).

Finally, what sin have you allowed to become acceptable? Could you be sitting at the top of a downward spiral of your own? If you think you have it “under control,” you might be in more danger than you think (1 Cor. 10.12). Let’s pray for God’s help to be like the Apostle Paul who said:

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him (2 Cor. 5.9).

Coming Up:

In the coming days, we’ll talk about how to forgive when you’re not feeling it, how spoiled children can become selfish adults, how God uses imperfect people, and Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our new sister site Joyful Marriage Ministries. While you’re there, click the “events” tab for information on our upcoming marriage retreat.

And if this post spoke to you, I would so appreciate it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.

Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥

Note about this post:

I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer. 

I recently read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”

I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.

Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)

I sometimes LINKUP with these blogs.