Baptist City Blog

Deuteronomy 17:16

God knew there would come a day when Israel would no longer be a theocracy. He knew the day would come when they chose a king to lead them, and that this decision would be the first step towards their demise. The reason they would want a king is because all the nations around them had one, and because they wanted to be like all the other nations they too would choose a king.

There was a great danger in this decision that God tried to warn them about. God knew that if they set up a king because all the nations around them had one, then they would also start copying the methods and lifestyles of those nations which eventually would lead them to desire going back to Egypt. God commanded them concerning, “Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.” The way they were to walk were the ways that the LORD prescribed them to walk in His commandments. Any other way but God’s way was not to be followed.

When a person gets saved, they are to “walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4) We should never study the ways of the world for we are to “return no more that way.” That way is the way of death. That way is the way of heartache. That way is never to be considered again because we are to “return no more that way.” If you are to “return no more that way,” then “that way” must not be a consideration. The only lifestyle you are to live is the lifestyle that walks “in newness of life.”

Moreover, if you are not going to “return no more that way,” then you must not copy “that way.” When God says that we are no longer to return “that way,” then He is saying that even copying what they do in “that way” is wrong. Friend, stop looking to the world to measure morality and direction and look to God to determine how to walk in “newness of life.”

Furthermore, it is the leader’s responsibility to be sure that we don't return to “that way.” Part of the job of the leader is to be the watchman who walks the wall to be sure that those whom they lead are not returning to “that way.” Likewise, the leader is to be sure to look at any trends, lifestyles, books or other leaders who would influence us to return “that way” and to keep them away. This won't always be the most popular leader, but this will be the most loving leader because “that way” is the way that leads to heartache and destruction.

Likewise, it is the follower’s responsibility to make sure that the leader doesn’t take them back “that way.” Just because someone is your leader doesn't mean they should think for you. Your leader is not to be your determination of truth. You must be careful that you don't get so wrapped up into following the leader that they slowly let “that way” become an acceptable way. As a follower, when you see a leader letting “that way” into your church, then it is your responsibility to confront them, and if they don't change, then leave that church.

The key to making sure that you don't return to “that way” is to let God’s Word be your compass of truth and direction. If you base every action, direction, lifestyle and truth according to God’s Word, then “that way” will never be a walked again.