Religious Syncretism

Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

There’s a toxic brew being steadily imbibed by our western culture. Mix one-part Biblical worldview with one-part non-Biblical worldview and the result is a poisonous new belief system that is far from the truth-but is being consumed with sincerity and enthusiasm.

Religious syncretism is alive and thriving. It hides behind the facade of ‘being spiritual’, and finds comfort in outward displays of spirituality, but it is far from being Biblical. Let’s take a look at Micah in Judges 17 (not to be confused with the prophet Micah in the book named after him). We are told that without a strong, God-fearing leader, to guide them, the people did what seemed right and in fact upright to them, and the results, as this story indicates, were chaotic.

We are introduced to Micah who confesses to stealing silver from his mother, a breach of two of the Ten Commandments. Without remorse or a word of discipline from his mother, (in fact she blesses her son for returning the stolen treasure), Micah returns the silver and dedicates it to the LORD to make a carved image and a metal image. Micah places the idols in his home and worships them, violating the second commandment. Micah’s ignorance continues to grow as he fashions a shrine, makes an ephod (an instrument for seeking the Lord’s will) and more household gods, and ordains one of his sons to become his priest (only those appointed by the LORD could be priests to serve the people).

However, Micah then comes upon a Levite. Seeing his good fortune, he invites the man to live in his house and for a substantial stipend (a suit, sustenance and a salary) he becomes a spiritual father and a priest, carrying out the religious duties for the household. The Levite is content with this arrangement showing his insensitivity to apostasy. The toxic mix of religious corruption is so pitiful that there is a Levite (whose role was to serve in the Tabernacle) now ordained by a mere man to serve before idols.

The ultimate spiritual deception is revealed in Micah’s statement, ‘now I know that the LORD will do me good, seeing as I have a Levite to be my priest.’ (verse 13). The situation is so tragic that it is almost laughable. How could Micah possibly imagine that the LORD of Heaven would prosper him when he has created a religion suited to his own will? His false assurance is mingled with superstition, illustrating the darkened understanding in the hearts of people at this time.

Zechariah 10:2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their own way as a flock, because there was no shepherd.

The will of man still wants to dictate the will of God today. We don’t want a God who condemns what we desire, so we construct a religion or spirituality that accommodates our longings, that we imagine will please God, but instead, completely flies in the face of God. We end up with a religious mix that is messy, confusing and stirs a holy anger within the heart of God. Man-made spirituality gives a false sense of security. Today people flatter themselves into believing that their own attempts at being and doing good will please God and lead them into Heaven.

Religious syncretism introduces extra practices that encourage us to feel spiritually complete. But we are complete in Christ alone. Christ is to have the preeminence in all things and in Him alone should all fullness dwell (Colossians 1:18-19).

• What else could we possibly add to complete our salvation in Christ?
• What additional man-made practices could ever be needed to move us forward in our spiritual growth?
• What else are we adding to find fulfillment and a deeper sense of spirituality that Christ alone could not meet?
• What have we accepted as a reward for our idolatry and the breaking of God’s commandments?

Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Religious syncretism has no place in our lives. Jesus is the true fount of refreshing; life-giving water and we dare not look elsewhere or add to what He alone can give. Our salvation is complete in His work alone. Let’s ensure we are not hewing out for ourselves broken cisterns that will hold none of the life-giving water that He offers. Let’s study our hearts and renew our commitment to Jesus alone, casting aside those idols that have weakened our spiritual life and desecrated the gift of grace offered to us through Christ.

1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.