Leviticus 20 SANCTIFY YOURSELVES To consecrate one's self to God will set us apart from much that is now considered acceptable behavior among the people of our age. Many are drawn to forbidden activity out of the rebellious desire to oppose God and reject the teaching of the Bible. For some reason, to many people "forbidden waters are sweet" - for a very short time. There are serious and lasting consequences when we follow the passions of the world, the flesh and the devil. Israel was warned ahead of time what to avoid, what not to do, what not to allow - but in time they yielded to the attractions that were specifically forbidden and suffered terrible results.
The deceptions of the devil have been directed towards men right from the beginning of human existence. Death for sin is still criticized by those who measure morality by satanic standards. The children of Israel were warned to keep their children safe, but as time passed, they succumbed to the false gods the devil put before the pagan nations. There were gods around them they thought, that had to be appeased by the best they had - and that was their children. The One True God is the God of love, and is not vindictive. His desire is to bless His own people. However, when they sacrificed their children under the influence of the devil, they themselves were to be put to death to preserve the nation. We now have laws that men have made so we can legally put to death our unborn children and suffer no legal consequences. Those who do that, will find they have consequences they have to suffer - and live with until death. God is the God of life who wants health and happiness for human beings and has defined by His laws how this can be maintained. God is the God who cares for the unwanted children and for the widows and the lost. There is no question that His ways are the best ways to preserve life, love and happiness - and yet people reject Him and charge Him with holding back on us. Instead of doing that God, the God who gives, gave His "only begotten Son" that we might live through Him.
The devil also attracted God's ancient people with the occult and occultist practices. Even today many are attracted by games designed by the power of darkness and that have dark, murderous themes. We need to face the fact that Satan has not changed his goals, nor are his tactics lessening in intensity in any way. Rather, with the advances of technology he is using that means to promote his agenda in the areas of games, social networking, television and in whatever way possible. Lies, deception and dangerous practices attract people and they are drawn to them constantly.
The flesh has never changed either. Sexual sins were a problem to mankind all down through human history. That which was to be a blessing to people in their marriages and home-life, becomes a curse when the commitment of one man to one woman for life is ignored. Not only does unrestrained flesh bring unhappiness in a marriage that may break the marital commitment, but it can actually destroy the family unit and affect the child-parent relationship that is so needed by the next generation. Moreover, unrestrained sexual activity spreads disease and twists the minds of people who engage in those practices until wrong doesn't seem wrong any more. God prohibited such immoral practices and pronounced serious consequences on those who engage in such things, to protect His people as a whole. Because of His love for us, He gave strict guidelines and laws to preserve the well-being and health of His people. Those who deliberately turn away from His revealed will in this regard were dealt with according to His laws because they rejected His grace. Prohibitions by God for evil doing are acts of love, not the actions of divine anger.
The people of God in those days had laws to guide them in a world system that had developed which was contrary to God's design. The rules He gave were for a reason. Any rules we make in families as well as in governments need to have an appropriate reason. Spiritual laws given by God really work. They have worked for centuries when people obey them and live by them. God's laws when obeyed preserve us from self-destruction and promote honorable, happy living. The guidelines defined by God when followed and enforced keep the peace and help the people to live useful lives with satisfying results. The consequences of breaking those God-given laws are suffering and separation. Our nation and generation are suffering and divided today because of the rejection of God's laws and standards, and the insertion of laws that have been changed to suit the immoral and unrestrained practices that please people who live only for the moment.
God's people are to remember to sanctify themselves to be a holy people no matter what is in vogue at the moment. What people do now does not change the standards of righteousness God has already given.