The Dangerous Lie We've All Been Told | Numbers 22

>> Hey, I'm Chuck. >> Hey, I'm Chuck. >> I'm Kiersten. >> I'm Kiersten. >> I'm Kiersten. >> Amish. >> Amish. >> Amish. >> I'm Miko. >> I'm Miko. >> I'm Miko. >> All right. Uh >> All right. Uh >> All right. Uh This has got to rank as one of the most This has got to rank as one of the most This has got to rank as one of the most like is this actually in the Bible? Is like is this actually in the Bible? Is like is this actually in the Bible? Is this not in Lord of the Rings? This this not in Lord of the Rings? This this not in Lord of the Rings? This seems like a scene from Lord of the seems like a scene from Lord of the seems like a scene from Lord of the Rings. Does it not? [laughter] Rings. Does it not? [laughter] Rings. Does it not? [laughter] >> That was on the bingo >> That was on the bingo >> That was on the bingo >> That was on the Lord of the Rings >> That was on the Lord of the Rings >> That was on the Lord of the Rings It's like a Lord of the Rings It's like a Lord of the Rings It's like a Lord of the Rings >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But it's in the Bible, right? Like and >> But it's in the Bible, right? Like and >> But it's in the Bible, right? Like and um there's just so much to unpack here. um there's just so much to unpack here. um there's just so much to unpack here. What do you guys think about this guy? What do you guys think about this guy? What do you guys think about this guy? >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Balaam who like makes a living out of >> Balaam who like makes a living out of >> Balaam who like makes a living out of cursing people. Like what do you think cursing people. Like what do you think cursing people. Like what do you think about that? Let's just start there. about that? Let's just start there. about that? Let's just start there. >> What's like the modern day equivalent of >> What's like the modern day equivalent of >> What's like the modern day equivalent of that? that? that? >> Ooh, that's interesting. >> Ooh, that's interesting. >> Ooh, that's interesting. >> Call me now for your free reading. >> Call me now for your free reading. >> Call me now for your free reading. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> What was her name? What was her name? >> What was her name? What was her name? >> What was her name? What was her name? >> Cleo. Is it Cleo? >> Cleo. Is it Cleo? >> Cleo. Is it Cleo? >> Cleo, yeah. >> Cleo, yeah. >> Cleo, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> SOMEONE PUT ROOTS ON ME. >> SOMEONE PUT ROOTS ON ME. >> SOMEONE PUT ROOTS ON ME. >> [laughter] >> I y'all laugh. One of my best friends, I >> I y'all laugh. One of my best friends, I kid you not, this past month kid you not, this past month kid you not, this past month >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> like 2 weeks ago, was like, "Yeah, >> like 2 weeks ago, was like, "Yeah, >> like 2 weeks ago, was like, "Yeah, someone put a curse on me. My HVAC went someone put a curse on me. My HVAC went someone put a curse on me. My HVAC went out and my washing machine went out this out and my washing machine went out this out and my washing machine went out this week. So, I bought a witch kit and they week. So, I bought a witch kit and they week. So, I bought a witch kit and they sell them on Amazon sell them on Amazon sell them on Amazon >> Of course they do.

>> Of course they do. >> Of course they do. >> for you to get rid of your curses." >> for you to get rid of your curses." >> for you to get rid of your curses." >> Amazon sells [clears throat] everything. >> Amazon sells [clears throat] everything. >> Amazon sells [clears throat] everything. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Because you >> Because you >> Because you >> They don't discriminate. >> They don't discriminate. >> They don't discriminate. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Cuz because your HVAC went out. I told >> Cuz because your HVAC went out. I told >> Cuz because your HVAC went out. I told her, I was like, "You do not come near her, I was like, "You do not come near her, I was like, "You do not come near my house until I pray over you." my house until I pray over you." my house until I pray over you." But I it's like, "Yeah, it's But I it's like, "Yeah, it's But I it's like, "Yeah, it's wild and real." Like, I don't know, I wild and real." Like, I don't know, I wild and real." Like, I don't know, I believe believe believe >> The occult is real. >> The occult is real. >> The occult is real. >> Oh, absolutely. >> Oh, absolutely. >> Oh, absolutely. >> And when I define Let me define it. Like >> And when I define Let me define it. Like >> And when I define Let me define it. Like >> Yep. >> Yep. >> Yep. >> there is a there is a level of authority >> there is a there is a level of authority >> there is a there is a level of authority and power and power and power >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> waning though it is, that the evil one >> waning though it is, that the evil one >> waning though it is, that the evil one has. has. has. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> And people who dabble in those channels >> And people who dabble in those channels >> And people who dabble in those channels of power of power of power >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> have a level of power. They don't have >> have a level of power. They don't have >> have a level of power. They don't have as much power as the name of Jesus. as much power as the name of Jesus. as much power as the name of Jesus. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Um but I think to to be foolish and not >> Um but I think to to be foolish and not >> Um but I think to to be foolish and not recognize that recognize that recognize that >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> is is to be foolish and to be unaware. I >> is is to be foolish and to be unaware. I >> is is to be foolish and to be unaware. I mean I like there's a prayer there's a mean I like there's a prayer there's a mean I like there's a prayer there's a daily prayer that I don't pray it every daily prayer that I don't pray it every daily prayer that I don't pray it every day, but like there's a prayer that I day, but like there's a prayer that I day, but like there's a prayer that I pray particularly when I'm sensing pray particularly when I'm sensing pray particularly when I'm sensing warfare and it includes like breaking warfare and it includes like breaking warfare and it includes like breaking off curses and things that off curses and things that off curses and things that >> Mhm.

>> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> may be coming my way >> may be coming my way >> may be coming my way and coming my family's way and praying and coming my family's way and praying and coming my family's way and praying that over my family over my wife and my that over my family over my wife and my that over my family over my wife and my kids. I mean I think there's there's kids. I mean I think there's there's kids. I mean I think there's there's definitely Yeah, it's funny we didn't we definitely Yeah, it's funny we didn't we definitely Yeah, it's funny we didn't we didn't expect to get into this didn't expect to get into this didn't expect to get into this conversation on this one, but but it's conversation on this one, but but it's conversation on this one, but but it's kind of impossible not to. kind of impossible not to. kind of impossible not to. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Um and again to speak to the power of >> Um and again to speak to the power of >> Um and again to speak to the power of Jesus and the power of God um this guy Jesus and the power of God um this guy Jesus and the power of God um this guy is on his way to curse the people of is on his way to curse the people of is on his way to curse the people of God. God. God. And God is like no you will not And God is like no you will not And God is like no you will not and sends an angel and sends an angel and sends an angel to stop him and if he wasn't going to to stop him and if he wasn't going to to stop him and if he wasn't going to stop, I think he was going to lose his stop, I think he was going to lose his stop, I think he was going to lose his life. life. life. He doesn't recognize it He doesn't recognize it He doesn't recognize it but his donkey but his donkey but his donkey >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> and begins TO SAY I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU >> and begins TO SAY I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU >> and begins TO SAY I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU DON'T SEE WHAT I SEE, BUT WHAT? MAN, DON'T SEE WHAT I SEE, BUT WHAT? MAN, DON'T SEE WHAT I SEE, BUT WHAT? MAN, like what just what are the things that like what just what are the things that like what just what are the things that get in the way of us get in the way of us get in the way of us like really hearing God's I mean like like really hearing God's I mean like like really hearing God's I mean like like this is a guy who is so bullheaded. like this is a guy who is so bullheaded. like this is a guy who is so bullheaded. He's not he's about to walk right into He's not he's about to walk right into He's not he's about to walk right into destruction. What are things that would destruction. What are things that would destruction. What are things that would keep us from hearing God's direction in keep us from hearing God's direction in keep us from hearing God's direction in our lives? And my my mind goes our lives? And my my mind goes our lives? And my my mind goes immediately to my own pride. Like pride immediately to my own pride. Like pride immediately to my own pride. Like pride has kept me from hearing the voice of has kept me from hearing the voice of has kept me from hearing the voice of God God God far too many times and always at my far too many times and always at my far too many times and always at my peril.

peril. peril. What other things come to mind? What other things come to mind? What other things come to mind? >> Yeah, I've been listening to a lot of >> Yeah, I've been listening to a lot of >> Yeah, I've been listening to a lot of Pete Greig. He like started this whole Pete Greig. He like started this whole Pete Greig. He like started this whole 24/7 prayer 24/7 prayer 24/7 prayer movement and movement and movement and I was listening to him and he shared, I was listening to him and he shared, I was listening to him and he shared, you know, maybe God isn't silent you know, maybe God isn't silent you know, maybe God isn't silent ever. ever. ever. Um Um Um maybe we're just distracted. maybe we're just distracted. maybe we're just distracted. And when we aren't listening of course And when we aren't listening of course And when we aren't listening of course we're not going to hear we're not going to hear we're not going to hear him speak. And so uh he talked about the him speak. And so uh he talked about the him speak. And so uh he talked about the importance of the practice of like importance of the practice of like importance of the practice of like silence. And so, to answer your silence. And so, to answer your silence. And so, to answer your question, distraction for sure. I can question, distraction for sure. I can question, distraction for sure. I can imagine imagine imagine Balam, Balaam, Balam, Balaam, Balam, Balaam, either way, like had his thoughts either way, like had his thoughts either way, like had his thoughts swirling with like swirling with like swirling with like me, me, me, me, me, or like his thoughts me, me, me, me, me, or like his thoughts me, me, me, me, me, or like his thoughts were probably running wild with all of were probably running wild with all of were probably running wild with all of the ways he was acting the ways he was acting the ways he was acting >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> versus like the gift of silence and >> versus like the gift of silence and >> versus like the gift of silence and listening for the Lord and seeing him listening for the Lord and seeing him listening for the Lord and seeing him speak and move is is speak and move is is speak and move is is >> Yeah.

>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> great. >> great. >> great. >> I love that. I I >> I love that. I I >> I love that. I I The thing it made me think of, honestly, The thing it made me think of, honestly, The thing it made me think of, honestly, was distraction, also busyness. was distraction, also busyness. was distraction, also busyness. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Because he might have just been thinking >> Because he might have just been thinking >> Because he might have just been thinking like, this is my job. This is what I do. like, this is my job. This is what I do. like, this is my job. This is what I do. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> And it took the Lord to like stop him in >> And it took the Lord to like stop him in >> And it took the Lord to like stop him in his path his path his path >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> and say, slow down. Look at this. >> and say, slow down. Look at this. >> and say, slow down. Look at this. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Like even so much so he was like in his >> Like even so much so he was like in his >> Like even so much so he was like in his donkey, every time he'd stop, he'd be donkey, every time he'd stop, he'd be donkey, every time he'd stop, he'd be like, get up. What are you doing? Like like, get up. What are you doing? Like like, get up. What are you doing? Like [laughter] you're doing the weirdest [laughter] you're doing the weirdest [laughter] you're doing the weirdest stuff instead of like stopping and just stuff instead of like stopping and just stuff instead of like stopping and just pausing for a second. He was just going pausing for a second. He was just going pausing for a second. He was just going about his day. about his day. about his day. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> A big one for me also is comparison. >> A big one for me also is comparison. >> A big one for me also is comparison. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Just comparing myself to my peers, my >> Just comparing myself to my peers, my >> Just comparing myself to my peers, my friends, people around me, what I could friends, people around me, what I could friends, people around me, what I could have, the what ifs in life. Like that have, the what ifs in life. Like that have, the what ifs in life. Like that blinds me. That blinds me from what the blinds me. That blinds me from what the blinds me. That blinds me from what the Lord is saying and I think it adds to Lord is saying and I think it adds to Lord is saying and I think it adds to the noise to the noise to the noise to stop me from listening to stop me from listening to stop me from listening to >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It sounds a awfully familiar to >> It sounds a awfully familiar to >> It sounds a awfully familiar to Paul's Paul's Paul's abrupt interaction with the Lord as abrupt interaction with the Lord as abrupt interaction with the Lord as well. Like literally stopped on his well. Like literally stopped on his well. Like literally stopped on his tracks. Like, so God doesn't tracks. Like, so God doesn't tracks. Like, so God doesn't discriminate. Like Old Testament, New discriminate. Like Old Testament, New discriminate. Like Old Testament, New Testament, like maybe he still works Testament, like maybe he still works Testament, like maybe he still works that way today. I'm sure he does. It's that way today. I'm sure he does. It's that way today. I'm sure he does. It's just That's really good.

just That's really good. just That's really good. >> Indeed. Mhm. >> Indeed. Mhm. >> Indeed. Mhm. >> I'd say, >> I'd say, >> I'd say, I guess to sum it up, tainted desires I guess to sum it up, tainted desires I guess to sum it up, tainted desires >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> for me. >> for me. >> for me. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> When >> When >> When I think cuz even here in this story, I think cuz even here in this story, I think cuz even here in this story, Balaam, like he heard from God, he's Balaam, like he heard from God, he's Balaam, like he heard from God, he's being obedient to God, but then he's being obedient to God, but then he's being obedient to God, but then he's seeing how he can actually benefit from seeing how he can actually benefit from seeing how he can actually benefit from this. Because he's got an other this. Because he's got an other this. Because he's got an other intentions, right? And I think for me intentions, right? And I think for me intentions, right? And I think for me along the way I recognize that like along the way I recognize that like along the way I recognize that like somehow it just creeps into the crevices somehow it just creeps into the crevices somehow it just creeps into the crevices where it's like your desire may have where it's like your desire may have where it's like your desire may have started off as obedience, but then started off as obedience, but then started off as obedience, but then there's this there's this there's this um self- um self- um self- focused, you know, thing that happens or focused, you know, thing that happens or focused, you know, thing that happens or whatever, and desires get tainted. And whatever, and desires get tainted. And whatever, and desires get tainted. And then now it's I think it in those cases then now it's I think it in those cases then now it's I think it in those cases because it's like you almost feel like because it's like you almost feel like because it's like you almost feel like justified like no, I'm doing a good justified like no, I'm doing a good justified like no, I'm doing a good [clears throat] thing. You know what I'm [clears throat] thing. You know what I'm [clears throat] thing. You know what I'm saying? And it's like yeah, but there's saying? And it's like yeah, but there's saying? And it's like yeah, but there's some things that have crept into your some things that have crept into your some things that have crept into your heart along the way. heart along the way. heart along the way. >> Totally. I think it's in Jeremiah where >> Totally. I think it's in Jeremiah where >> Totally. I think it's in Jeremiah where it says the heart is deceitful above all it says the heart is deceitful above all it says the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can things and desperately wicked. Who can things and desperately wicked. Who can understand it? Like that's a that's a understand it? Like that's a that's a understand it? Like that's a that's a truth. truth. truth. >> But but follow your heart, Chuck. >> But but follow your heart, Chuck. >> But but follow your heart, Chuck. >> Right. Right. >> Right. Right. >> Right. Right. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Let's talk about that, right? I mean we >> Let's talk about that, right? I mean we >> Let's talk about that, right? I mean we we are taught to follow our hearts. Like we are taught to follow our hearts. Like we are taught to follow our hearts. Like no, actually the Bible says do not trust no, actually the Bible says do not trust no, actually the Bible says do not trust your heart.

your heart. your heart. Do not [laughter] trust your heart. Do not [laughter] trust your heart. Do not [laughter] trust your heart. Let the Lord transform your heart. Let the Lord transform your heart. Let the Lord transform your heart. You know, open up your heart though. You know, open up your heart though. You know, open up your heart though. Like man, that's that's a scary thing to Like man, that's that's a scary thing to Like man, that's that's a scary thing to trust my heart. trust my heart. trust my heart. >> Right? That's right. >> Right? That's right. >> Right? That's right. >> So so then how do we not quote-unquote >> So so then how do we not quote-unquote >> So so then how do we not quote-unquote trust our heart, but keep our heart open trust our heart, but keep our heart open trust our heart, but keep our heart open to God's direction and to what the Lord to God's direction and to what the Lord to God's direction and to what the Lord is saying and how he's leading us? is saying and how he's leading us? is saying and how he's leading us? What's that look like? What's that look like? What's that look like? >> I think >> I think >> I think cuz even as we were talking about the cuz even as we were talking about the cuz even as we were talking about the heart, like I just different verses from heart, like I just different verses from heart, like I just different verses from scripture about the heart kept popping scripture about the heart kept popping scripture about the heart kept popping in my head and in my head and in my head and it you know, it says guard your heart, it you know, it says guard your heart, it you know, it says guard your heart, right? It says search me, oh Lord. You right? It says search me, oh Lord. You right? It says search me, oh Lord. You know what I mean? So I think just those know what I mean? So I think just those know what I mean? So I think just those are some things. Like for one, prayer. I are some things. Like for one, prayer. I are some things. Like for one, prayer. I think it starts there, prayer. Cuz those think it starts there, prayer. Cuz those think it starts there, prayer. Cuz those are like prayer, you know, as we pray are like prayer, you know, as we pray are like prayer, you know, as we pray those things. those things. those things. And then I think in that having that And then I think in that having that And then I think in that having that relationship with the Holy Spirit, it it relationship with the Holy Spirit, it it relationship with the Holy Spirit, it it it it definitely helps you to it it definitely helps you to it it definitely helps you to just identify just identify just identify when you are like when you are like when you are like off-center. Um off-center. Um off-center. Um then it's a choice of obedience or not. then it's a choice of obedience or not. then it's a choice of obedience or not. In some cases. So.

In some cases. So. In some cases. So. >> You've said it a few times over this >> You've said it a few times over this >> You've said it a few times over this past week, past week, past week, but I think also just taking that, but I think also just taking that, but I think also just taking that, especially taking your prayer to people especially taking your prayer to people especially taking your prayer to people in community, in community, in community, trusted trusted trusted >> people who can at times challenge you, >> people who can at times challenge you, >> people who can at times challenge you, affirm you, or just ask some more affirm you, or just ask some more affirm you, or just ask some more questions. questions. questions. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> That's been big for me at least. >> That's been big for me at least. >> That's been big for me at least. >> That's good. Yeah. >> That's good. Yeah. >> That's good. Yeah. >> I think >> I think >> I think having that hard conversation with having that hard conversation with having that hard conversation with yourself like we said accepting that yourself like we said accepting that yourself like we said accepting that your heart is not the source of truth. your heart is not the source of truth. your heart is not the source of truth. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It's just not. Our flesh is so broken >> It's just not. Our flesh is so broken >> It's just not. Our flesh is so broken and I think culture so much, I have been and I think culture so much, I have been and I think culture so much, I have been victim of this, wants to say like "No, victim of this, wants to say like "No, victim of this, wants to say like "No, like trust yourself. Like trust your like trust yourself. Like trust your like trust yourself. Like trust your gut." Like Like yeah, trust your heart. gut." Like Like yeah, trust your heart. gut." Like Like yeah, trust your heart. And in reality, I'm like And in reality, I'm like And in reality, I'm like "Man, like I need something bigger than "Man, like I need something bigger than "Man, like I need something bigger than me. Like I am only 30 years old. I'm me. Like I am only 30 years old. I'm me. Like I am only 30 years old. I'm like this big compared to like this big compared to like this big compared to the God of the universe." the God of the universe." the God of the universe." Like I need to surrender and literally Like I need to surrender and literally Like I need to surrender and literally with my body with my body with my body like I've been like I've been like I've been reading here and there C.S. Lewis reading here and there C.S. Lewis reading here and there C.S. Lewis Screwtape Letters and how like your body Screwtape Letters and how like your body Screwtape Letters and how like your body and your physical action can reflect and your physical action can reflect and your physical action can reflect internal um internal um internal um processing. And so like that that processing. And so like that that processing. And so like that that physical physical physical act of surrendering on your knees and act of surrendering on your knees and act of surrendering on your knees and asking God to search you is is like has asking God to search you is is like has asking God to search you is is like has been a practice that has just like taken been a practice that has just like taken been a practice that has just like taken the weight off.

the weight off. the weight off. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> It's like all right. Well, I can't >> It's like all right. Well, I can't >> It's like all right. Well, I can't purify my own heart, but God can. purify my own heart, but God can. purify my own heart, but God can. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> So. >> So. >> So. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> If you've been around Crossroads for a >> If you've been around Crossroads for a >> If you've been around Crossroads for a while, you might be familiar with this, while, you might be familiar with this, while, you might be familiar with this, but if not, um but if not, um but if not, um it just it reminds me to anchor it just it reminds me to anchor it just it reminds me to anchor ourselves in some of the old teachings ourselves in some of the old teachings ourselves in some of the old teachings we used to do. So we used to talk about we used to do. So we used to talk about we used to do. So we used to talk about this a lot that if you want to think this a lot that if you want to think this a lot that if you want to think about spiritual growth like a about spiritual growth like a about spiritual growth like a three-legged stool three-legged stool three-legged stool um those three legs are prayer um those three legs are prayer um those three legs are prayer Bible and community. Bible and community. Bible and community. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And so >> And so >> And so >> Simple. >> Simple. >> Simple. >> Simplify it down to those three things. >> Simplify it down to those three things. >> Simplify it down to those three things. What's your prayer life look like? I What's your prayer life look like? I What's your prayer life look like? I heard you talking about that. Um Bible heard you talking about that. Um Bible heard you talking about that. Um Bible we've been talking about and obviously we've been talking about and obviously we've been talking about and obviously you're watching this because you've been you're watching this because you've been you're watching this because you've been in the Bible app like being in the word in the Bible app like being in the word in the Bible app like being in the word of God and then being in community, of God and then being in community, of God and then being in community, right? And the seat of the stool is right? And the seat of the stool is right? And the seat of the stool is mission. mission. mission. >> Mhm. Right? Like being obedient and >> Mhm. Right? Like being obedient and >> Mhm. Right? Like being obedient and being faithful to the things God's being faithful to the things God's being faithful to the things God's already called you to do, already called you to do, already called you to do, that is a healthy framework for staying that is a healthy framework for staying that is a healthy framework for staying connected with the heart of God and with connected with the heart of God and with connected with the heart of God and with his plan for your life. So, think about his plan for your life. So, think about his plan for your life. So, think about that three-legged stool today and press that three-legged stool today and press that three-legged stool today and press into that.