«Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?»  (Proverbs 27:4). 

The people of Israel were liberated from Egypt and led to the land of Canaan to establish themselves as a nation that proclaimed the gospel and was a good influence on their neighbors. However, with the passage of time, the Israelites were att..acted to various Canaanite customs, especially in matters of worship. In this regard, God asked His people not to imitate the forms of worship of their neighbors: «The Lord your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land, and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.’ You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods. See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it» (Deuteronomy 12:29—32, NIV; emphasis added). The above implies three great truths:

1. It is not advisable to investigate the way in which other religions praise God and then imitate them. The Canaanite worship was full of elements that fascinated the senses due to its spectacularism, as well as several immoral practices. Such practices originated in the wrong concept of divine nature.
2. Some forms of worship do not please God. The Canaanites sacrificed their children in their worship (they passed them through fire) and practiced sacred prostitution, among other perversions. What did God’s people have to do with any of that?
3. We must obey divine ordinances without adding or removing the fundamental elements. This is a safer path, especially during these times.

Sometimes it seems as if many young people are envious of how other Christian groups worship the Lord. They suggest some practices that only mimic other forms of worship. But there is no creativity and no explanation for them. It’s just a matter of imitating and showing something that is «novel.» However, true worship is the result of a solid relationship with God, who sooner or later shows you the path on which to walk (Psalm 25).

Ask the Lord today to help you give Him genuine worship, the fruit of a deep knowledge of His Word.