Discerning Between Holy and Unholy # 2

Discerning Between Holy and Unholy # 2

If we have spiritual insight, we can see that only these things which are in accordance with God's Word, and which have their source and energy from God's Spirit, can be holy.

We need to be absolutely clear about the matter of "holy versus unholy." We are not talking about "good versus evil." The Bible is making the distinction between what is OF God and what is NOT OF God. In the service of the tabernacle, the priests were failing their duty, the people were not being properly taught, and God Himself was being profaned - all because the priests could not make this distinction (Ez. 22:26). This matter is of the utmost importance if we are to serve God!

For something to be holy then, it must pass a two fold test. Firstly, does it line up with the word of God? Secondly, is the anointing of the Spirit upon it?

Someone may offer something - some worship or service perhaps - to God. But, if it is not OF God, in accordance with His Word and from His Spirit, then it cannot be holy. It is only common. It is only of man and of the world. It will be as unholy offering, like the fire offered by Aaron's sons. Nothing can be holy simply because it is offered to God.

The Terrible Result of No Discernment

We have already seen what happened with Nabab and Abihu when they offered something to God without discernment. Now, let's look at the situation in Jerusalem in Ezekiel's day. The setting is at the time of the Babylonian rule over Jerusalem (beginning in 605 B. C.), which culminated in the actual siege and fall of Jerusalem to its captors in 586 B. C. During this period, here is what Ezekiel says of the priest who were in charge of the temple and its service.

"Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths,so that I am profaned among them" (Ez. 22:26).

What does the Scripture mean here when it says that the priests "profaned My holy things?" The holy things refers to God's house (the temple) and all the furniture, instruments, garments, priests, etc. involved in the service of the house (Lev. 8:30; Num. 4:4-15). What had the priests done to profane the things in God's house? If we search the Scriptures, we can see that some terrible things were going on right in the temple of God. Here are the passages that show us these profanations in the temple:

"Therefore, as I live", says the Lord God, "surely, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all you detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish you; My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity" (Ez. 5:11).

"For the children of Judah have done evil in My sight, says the Lord. They have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name to pollute it" (Jeremiah 7:30). (Jeremiah was a contemporary of Ezekiel. He also prophesied concerning the evils taking place in Jerusalem at that time.)

He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy. So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance. Furthermore He said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abomination that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abomination." So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall. Then He said to me, "Son of man, dig into the wall"; and when I dug into the wall there was a door. And He said to me, "Go in, and see the wicked abominations which they are doing there." So I went in and saw, and there - every sort of creeping thing,abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls. And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up - So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the Lord's house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz. So He brought me into the inner court of the Lord's house; and there ... were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east" (Ez. 8:3-16).

The priests had brought idols and images from the nations into the very sanctuary of God. All kinds of idolatrous worship was taking place right in the temple itself! The priests had profaned the holy things of God's house by the presence of unholy things from the nations. This was against God's law, which not only forbade idols, but also carefully prescribed what things were to be set apart for God for the priestly service in His sanctuary. Therefore, we can clearly understand God's charge against the priests: "they have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy." (Ez. 22:26).

The priests had mixed unholy things with the holy things due to their terrible lack of discernment. The final and most devastating result of this act, according to God, was: "I am profaned among them." (Ez. 22:26). This means that the holy God, with His unique holiness of character, was made to appear unholy, quite common.

The great mistake of today's believers is to think that anything that is done for God will be a benefit to His kingdom. So, for example, the world's ways of promotion, advertising and entertainment are utilized, instead of God's way of fervent prayer and waiting upon the working of the Spirit. And, for example, man's natural ingenuity and ability in planning, organization and execution are used apart from the leading, control and power of the Holy Spirit. The result of these choices may bring a larger crowd to a meeting, but, in the process, a holy God is made to appear quite common, very much a part of this world system and its human ways. When a person drives down a street in America and sees a church building, what is his or her impression? Is the person struck with the thought of a holy God among His people, or does the person just see an institution of human society? If that person goes inside to a meeting, how strongly will he or she be struck with the holiness of God versus the atmosphere of a humanly organized religious meeting, fueled by man's energy?

To make God appear common (unholy) does not seem to be a consideration at all by those who would use worldly and fleshly means to carry out the services within God's house. Yet, if we have spiritual insight, this is a great offense to our holy God.

The Test of the Word of God

Today in Christendom there is a lot of activity. There are many programs, conferences, organizations, ministries, and churches of various types. How many of their ways and their doings are holy? How many are just of man, thus unholy in God's eyes? Can you discern between the holy and the unholy things there?

The test concerning whether the Spirit of God is behind and upon any supposed Christian work may be somewhat subjective. Even if there is true fruit (such as conversions) this does not mean everything in the activity is indeed holy. God may always honor His word when it is presented (Is. 55:11), and He will always meet any seeking heart.

The test of the word of God, however, is much more objective and sure. There are significant practises today in Christendom which are contrary to the word of God. Yet, for the great majority of God's people, including "leaders", there seems to be no discernment of this fact. "Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy..." (Ex. 22:26). Notice that this verse from Ezekiel indicates that the priests in Jerusalem had violated God's law (His Word). This is what gave ground for the unholy things in the temple to come in. And this is what gives ground for unholy practises to come into the church of God today - a disregard for God's Word.

Here Are Some Examples:

The use of titles for "clergy." The word of God says: "But you, do not be called "Rabbi"; for One is your teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:8-12). In context, Jesus was addressing the problem of exalting religious leaders above the people by the use of titles. But the use today of titles, such as Reverend, Father, Pastor, etc., is very common. And, this practise is only a part of a larger unscriptural practise, the clergy-laity system. Is this practise of God or of man? Is it holy or unholy?

Denominationalism: The word of God says: "For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, " am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?" (1 Corinthians 3:3-4). Denominationalism is the practise of forming a group with a standing narrower than the whole body of Christ, and naming it in accordance with a particular doctrine, practise or person. This practise divides the body of Christ and separates believers. Today, we have: "I am a  Lutheran. I am a Wesleyan. I am an Episcopalian. I am a Baptist. I am a Pentecostal." Is the forming of denominations of God or of man? Is it holy or unholy?

Christian Holidays: The word of God says: "And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, A"This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19). The Lord Jesus gave us a clear word on what to practise in order to remember Him. Is there any hint in the Bible that we should celebrate holidays or seasons like Christmas, Easter and Lent? Paul feared that the Galatians would turn back to weak and bankrupt rituals through the celebration of special days (Gal. 4:9-11).

~Tom Finley~

(continued with # 3)