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Acts 19.18, 19
These verses suggest an active campaign on the part of the people of Israel to discover, dismantle, and destroy all venues and forms of pagan worship. Constant vigilance against pagan ways was to be practiced or Israel’s holiness would become compromised, and God’s Name would be profaned.
Mountains and trees were often regarded as sacred places – connecting points with the heavens and the unseen realm. God Himself uses these venues in leading His people to think of His greatness, majesty, and beauty. These venues were not to be avoided; rather, they were to be redeemed. Whereas pagan peoples stained their mountains and groves with the blood of innocents, Israel would liberate them as pristine pages in the book of creation, once again allowing the glory of God to show through.
Our task is not unlike this in every area of life. Wherever something which, in itself, is not inherently evil has been taken over by corruption and unbelief, there the followers of Christ have a duty to clear the decks and restore an arena for God’s glory to shine. This includes not only places in the environment but such daily activities as conversation, dress, eating and drinking, and how we do our work. All such areas, wherever pagan and unbelieving ways obtain, are to be cleansed and renewed by the Word and Spirit of God, so that the glory of God hidden in them may shine through for all to see. This is an important part of our calling as the chosen people of God, and an important way that we demonstrate love for God and our neighbors (Prov. 25.2; 2 Cor. 10.3-5; 1 Cor. 10.31).
T. M. Moore
The Law of God is the soil which, fertilized by the rest of God’s Word and watered by His Spirit, brings forth the fruit of Christian life. If you’d like to understand this process better, and how to make best use of the Law in your walk with and work for the Lord, order the book, The Ground for Christian Ethics, from our online store.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.