The Fires of Temptation #2

Have you ever wondered where Solomon went wrong? Was he just bent on love for women?  Why would he have so many wives? Where did this man get off track in his relationship with God?

Solomon was the richest king on the earth at that time. God blessed him with thousands of horses, camels, sheep, silver, and gold just to mention a few of his blessings. He took seven years to build the most incredible temple and thirteen years in building his magnificent personal palace. Where did this man detour from his roots of faith? Where did he go wrong? How could one step in the wrong direction lead him so far from his Jehovah God? (1 Kings 11:1-13)

The Word of God says that Solomon loved many foreign women. So did this guy just have issues with women? God was clear that Israel was not to marry those from foreign nations. God knew that these women's gods would turn their hearts away from their Jehovah God. (1 Kings 11:2)

Why did this king seek after women from other nations? Could it be that if he married Pharaoh's daughter he wouldn't have to war with the King of Egypt? Would not that be a wise strategy in order to secure his nation Israel? What father is going to go after the destruction of his daughter's domain?

The problem with that reasoning is that God never violates His own principals in order to take care of His children. That was Solomon's strategy; it worked with one nation. He also married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from the Hitties.

How did this wise man lose confidence in his Protector? God had promised that as long as he kept His commandments, blessings and protection would be on him and his nation. God says, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23b)

Just as God had predicted, Solomon's wives turned his heart to worshipping other gods. These 700 wives caused him to worship Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. What he did was evil in the Lord's sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely as his father David had done.

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” Satan works at tempting us with: 

• The Entrance of a thought 
• The Entertainment of a thought
• The Electricity of that thought. 

Solomon was empowered to marry a woman from a foreign nation with One Thought. When it seemingly worked out to marry Pharaoh's daughter, what could be so wrong with marrying more from other nations? He no longer needed to have FAITH IN GOD to be his Protector

Just ONE step in the wrong direction is what will lead you down the road of death. “There is a way that seems right unto man but the end thereof is the way of death.” Be cautious with your steps in life. When you choose your own strategy that opposes the Word of God, you’re about to step on a landmine that will forever change the trajectory that God has purposed for your future. How could one so blessed and so successful turn away from his God?

"Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14) "Order my steps in Your Word and let not any iniquity have dominion over me."(Psalm 119:133) Let God's Word and not your own knowledge and wisdom be your guide and compass today. "Without FAITH it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."    NIV (Hebrews 11:6)

Your Focus leads to a Thought to Emotion to Decision to Action to Habit to Character to Destiny          
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