Read 1 Kings 12:25–27. What does this tell us about the power and influence worship can have on the human mind?

Jeroboam is concerned that the Israelites will rebel against him and return to Rehoboam. Rehoboam  perceives if the people offer sacrifices at the temple that they will give their allegiance to the Lord and to king Rehoboam. Jeroboam understands that we show allegiance to whatever we worship. Jeroboam also understood that because king Rehoboam  supports the people in their worship that the people will also follow after him.

It is so easy from our perspective today to look back and wonder, How could they have fallen into such blatant apostasy? On the other hand, humans have an incredible capacity to deceive themselves (it is all part of our fallen and corrupted nature), and we deceive ourselves if we think we are not just as vulnerable as they were back then. Look at yourself, your lifestyle, your mode of worship. What might you be doing that is, in principle, not a whole lot different from what happened here? How willing are you to make changes, if need be?

The people were deceived by the introduction of gradual changes. The differences between the true and false were so similar that they were unable to distinguish respectively. Likewise we may be faced with choices which may appear relatively small and insignificant but the compounding results of these choices produce  large results. We must learn to live lives of principle in order to prevent ourselves  from slipping down the pathway of sin.

Prayer: Father we thank you that you and we worship you because are God. I pray God that we will not be deceived to worship someone of something else. Help us to watch and pray least we fall into sin. Thank you in Jesus name amen.