Don’t Be a Balaam: Is My Heart Really in This? Numbers 25:1-9

Don’t Be a Balaam: Is My Heart Really in This?

Numbers 25:1-9
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Pastor Mike Bailey

Introduction

In the story of Balaam, we see the tension between following selfish desires and living in obedience to God – a tension we still feel today in our own lives. There never seems to be a shortage of different opinions on where we should go, what we should do, and how we should live. Amidst all these competing voices, are we tuned in to how God is calling us to live? In the end, it’s up to each of us to decide who we will follow. Who do you choose?

February 23: What is my test? – Numbers 22:1-20

March 2: What is my answer? – Numbers 22:21-41

March 9: What sets me apart? – Numbers 23:1-12

March 16: Who is in control? – Numbers 23:13-26

March 23: How big is God to me? – Numbers 23:27-24:14

March 30: Does this apply to me? – Numbers 24:15-25

April 6: Is my heart really in this? – Numbers 25:1-9

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Is My Heart Really in This?

Numbers 25:1-9

1. What intentions am I trying to from everyone?

“These are the very ones who followed Balaam’s advice and caused the people of Israel to rebel against the Lord at Mount Peor. They are the ones who caused the plague to strike the Lord’s people.” Numbers 31:16

“For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.” Luke 8:17

2. Do I love doing what is ?

They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong. 2 Peter 2:15

⁹ Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. ¹⁰ Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Colossians 3:9-10

3. Do I people?

What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion. Jude 11

We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. 2 Corinthians 4:2

4. Do I teach others how to ?

“But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin.” Revelation 2:14

²³ Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. ²⁴ A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. ²⁵ Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. ²⁶ Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. 2 Timothy 2:23-26

5. Am I leading my own life toward ?

All five of the Midianite kings—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—died in the battle. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. Numbers 31:8

They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. Philippians 3:19

Challenge: Does God have my heart?

It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Isaiah 59:2a

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

All Bible verses are from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.