Absurdity of two personalities in an individual

Topic: Absurdity of two personalities in an individual

Reference:  Numbers 22:22-31

Introduction

It is very dangerous to have two personalities. This means that what one has inside is not what people know. This is the character that Balaam had. This time Israel was on its final journey to Canaan. Israelites had defeated many tribes on the way. The king of Moab-Balak had already heard the story of Israel and knew what was awaiting him. He knew it was a matter of time for his nation to be like other defeated nations.

Balak knew prophet Balaam as a powerful and famous prophet. He knew that whatever Balaam blessed was blessed and whatever he cursed was surely cursed.

A case study

Some years ago scientists learnt to graft some different insects early in their development. They changed their nature. The result produced a very ugly creature. For instance,   they grafted a spider and a butterfly. The creature that was produced had weird behaviour. It could live in darkness as well as in light, again it could fry and crawl, feed on flower fragrance as well as disgusting bodies of dead insects. Consequently, such contradicting characteristics are found in Christians.

Balaam had some connection\touch with God. This is demonstrated through:

• He sought and followed God’s guidance (Num 22:7-14)
• He recognises the voice of God as much as he was a heathen (Num 23:10). He desired to die a righteous death: Like the Israelites.
• He wishes that his end would be like that of Jacob.
• He stated the truth about God- he talked about God as his own God (Num 23:19)
• He confessed that no one can succeed without God.

Through Balaam we recognise:

1. We have mighty power within us. If God has blessed us no one can curse us. Whatever God has spoken concerning us cannot be altered by anyone. Many heathen admire us. Even when we go through different issues it is important we note that we are a pillar that makes the nation to stand. We bring life to many people in our society.
2. We see Balaam’s wavering character- sometimes he is spiritual and other times he is not. A leader should know the will of God and Balaam did not know God’s will.

Aspects of the will of God

1. Perfect will of God. This kind of will is perfected in the decree of God. What God has decreed cannot change. From the scriptures;

• Our salvation is a decree and cannot change (Eph 1:3-6) and,
•  The calling of Israel as a nation was another decree.

2. Preference will of God. This kind of will happen when there is no clearly defined will. This is not something that you can say it is within the law. It is the desire to do the will of God. When one is in a dilemma he prefers to do what pleases God.
3. Perceptive will of God. This kind of will is presented in principles and precepts. It is given to men by God. Balaam had the word of God (Num 22:12). Balaam however went against the will of God.
4. Permissive will of God. This kind of will happens when God does not like what you are insisting on. God had forbidden Balaam from accompanying king Balak. After Balaam persistently prayed and insisted, God gave him a go ahead and he hurriedly prepared to go. This is not God’s will. Balaam consulted God three times over this wrong mission (Num 22:8). Even the way Balaam acted demonstrates that he was also not sure whether it was the will of God. He says “perhaps”.

-It was clear that God wanted to prevent Balaam from this mission. When the donkey saw the angel it stopped. Balaam hit the donkey. He was high headed such that he was not even surprised when the donkey spoke.

-There are hidden things within us that we do not know that they are our enemies. We have a responsibility to know our enemies. Balaam had love for money which became his enemy within.

-Balaam mortgaged his own life (Num 25:5) and abandoned his own faith by taking the money he had rejected. (1 Peter 2:15-16)

– Balaam died fighting his enemies-Medianites. He died on a wrong course. We may end up being like Balaam if we are not prayerful.

Conclusion

Many Christians do not walk as Christians, and other brethren cannot give a testimony about  their  Christianity. Balaam did not align his belief in God with his character, many Christians have not aligned their inside nature with their outside nature.  We should reflect Christ even in private affairs otherwise two natures will lead us to death.