Numbers 22:12. “And God said unto Balaam, ‘Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.’” PRESSURED. Popularity is always attractive. I am noticed – people know I am here. They think I am special – even the king does – Wow! He has called for – ME! Maybe I am important after all. They know my reputation – divination is my game. Fakery is not a nice way to put it. I know there is a God and He is the All-powerful One. But I have power too – and a choice in the matter.
Money has never lost its appeal. “The rewards of divination” are one of the tactics of pressure. Let him see the money – let him see it right in your hand. He won’t be able to resist if he can see the money. They are all alike – if the price is right they will bite. Don’t worry, right and wrong are not important if the money is there. Balaam knows there is an unseen God who knows everything. But that is money there and it is yours if you go with them.
Importance, everyone wants to feel important. Tell him we can’t do without him – we must have him, not another. He has spoken to God and God said, “No”, but make him think he is #1. He is going back to God and is arguing with Him. Questioning God is always the way of the self-important ones. Apply a bit of pressure and he’ll come, you’ll see. God is still letting him make his own choice. He fell under pressure, even though he knew it was wrong.
Deception - guile, trickery, craftiness, cheating, cunning; Whatever you might want to call it, flourishes under pressure. After all, what they don’t know won’t hurt them. I’ll do it my way no matter what is right and wrong because it is my business. Pretending to serve God and pretending to serve man at the same time That is deception – disobedience for profit when under pressure. What difference does it make if no one gets hurt by me. Who will know the difference? I will – the apostate – and God!!
Whatever means are used to pressure you to go your own way – without God; Resist, turn away from, walk away, say “No.” The “error of Balaam” is a lesson to us all – the reward of greed is wrong.
“Others do it, why can’t I” is not an option – God says “No.” If it is the pressure of popularity and acceptance but wrong, say “No.” If the money seems so attractive and the opportunity to good to pass up – If there seems to be personal importance attached to it and it’s a chance of a lifetime – Say “No,” because you are under a Higher Authority – do not yield to pressure.
“O God, I know it is not uncommon to be put under pressure to acquiesce to someone else’s desire. It has happened a lot. But give me the courage and wisdom to say “No” when it must be said. I do not want to go where I should not be. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”