MORTGAGING OUR SOULS

“So Ahab said to Elijah, ‘Have you found me, O my enemy?’ And he answered, ‘I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord:’” (1 Kings 21:20). Elijah tells King Ahab that he had sold himself. How did he do this? What was the payment? Are we doing the same thing today?

Ahab took out the first mortgage on his soul when he married. “But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up” (1 Kings 21:25). While Ahab was responsible for his choices and actions, there is no doubt that his wife was an evil influence in his life. One of the greatest decisions we make is the choice of a marriage partner. Far too many Christians have sold, and are selling, their souls for the wrong person. Some people estimate that almost 80% of all Christians who marry non-Christians become minimally active in the church, with about 50% becoming totally unfaithful. I know there are exceptions, but they are just that, exceptions! It is no wonder that Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” While this does not condemn mixed marriages, and does not apply only to marriage, it is certainly a warning that needs to be heeded.

Ahab’s second mortgage was the compromise of his religion. “And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him” (1 Kings 16:31). Ahab did not want to completely reject God, so he tried to compromise. Many in the Lord’s church today are afraid of offending others so they try to compromise the truth. There is only one church (Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18). There is only one way to heaven (John 14:6; Matthew 7:13-14). There is an acceptable standard for our worship (John 4:24). Baptism is essential for salvation (Mark 16:16; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21). These are only a few things that members of the Lord’s church are trying to compromise with the denominational world. Compromise did not work for Ahab; it will not work for us.

The third mortgage for Ahab’s soul was a piece of land.

1 Kings 21:2-4 - So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near, next to my house; and for it I will give you a vineyard better than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money.”3 But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!”4 So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food.

The story goes on that Jezebel conspired to kill Naboth and Ahab then took possession of the land. Others have done the same: Judas (Matthew 27:3), the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22), the rich fool (Luke 12:16-20), Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10). Many today are following their footsteps. There are those who know what they need to do to become a Christian, but will not do so because it will cost them money. Others are so busy trying to maintain a high standard of living that they have no time for the Lord and His work.
--Lamar