It is interesting to note that the meaning of mingling is to become mixed, blended or united. On this note, the following paragraph is full of meaning.
“During the sojourn of the Israelites in Egyptian bondage, they largely lost sight of the knowledge of God and of His law; in their constant mingling with heathenism and idolatry they lost almost all the knowledge of the true God and of His laws, which had been entrusted to them.” Practical Lessons, F.C. Gilbert, page 157. [Emphasis supplied.]
Constant mingling with heathenism and idolatry caused the Israelites to lose almost all of their knowledge of the true God and His laws. Today we face the same danger.
Let us put our own name in place of the Israelites. Are we not sojourning here while we wait for our Lord’s return? Have we not also lost the knowledge of the true God and His laws by mingling with the world? Is it not time to take the advice of Paul to “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. … that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV)? The devil’s plan is to lure Christians away from Godly paths until they have blended with the world.
Egypt is a symbol for sin. Living a life of worldliness today is akin to living in Egypt. The more we mingle and blend with the world’s habits in eating, drinking, dressing and entertainment, we trade the knowledge of God with the knowledge of the world until the danger is unrecognized.
God says in Exodus 20:1–3, “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”
God has brought us out of the world—out of the house of bondage into the freedom of His glorious light. Why hunger for those things that we have left behind, as the Israelites did for the leeks of Egypt, when God has eternal realities in mind?
“We might expect the Israelites to harden their hearts against the reproofs of the prophet. We listen to hear them respond, ‘We do not wish to be continually reminded of our sins. Speak to us words of peace, encouragement, and hope, but do not keep ever before us the dismal relation of our backslidings.’ How often do the professed people of God at the present day turn away from instruction, and neglect oft-repeated warnings. They dislike to be reminded of their defects of character. They are unwilling to be reproved for their pride and idolatry in turning from the requirements of God to seek the gains, friendship, or pleasures of the world.” The Signs of the Times, June 23, 1881. What a heartbreaking parallel!
Are we mingling and becoming blended with this world? Pray to God for help and guidance.
Heavenly Father: Our sojourn here has been long and we need Your help. We are beginning to wear down and are tempted to seek the momentary pleasures of this world by constant mingling with those who would draw us astray. Oh Lord, give us strength and grace to stand in Thy ways bringing honor to Your name as true representatives of Jesus in this world. Thank You for hearing our cry. Amen.