Good morning people who do not tolerate other gods in your lives.

1 Samuel 5:1-2 NIV After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon.

The Philistines were the enemies of God’s people, and one could rightfully say, the enemies of God. They had “captured” the ark of God, and they decided to put it alongside their god Dagon. They wanted the best of both gods.

I believe this is a powerful picture that we must be aware of today too.  

The world tries to add God to the mix of their lives with other gods also. So many identify as “Christian”, yet “Jesus” is simply put alongside many other gods in their lives. The fruit is no transformation, but rather, only deepening deception. Jesus as a label is not enough.

But we must ensure that we don’t subtly allow it to come in a measure in our lives as believers. We must guard against wanting the best of God – what He can do for us – without any surrender of our lives and will to His Lordship. This can’t work.

Mixture doesn’t work when it comes to God. He won’t share His glory with another, and He most definitely won’t co-exist with any other gods.

I’m reminded of the words God said to His people once He had brought them out of slavery:

Exodus 20:2-3 NIV “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.”

We will always return to slavery if we add God to the same place as other gods.

Freedom is found in God alone.