SPIRITUAL GEMS: Week of November 11-17, 2024, Psalm 106, Answers.

SPIRITUAL GEMS: November 11-17, 2024, Psalm 106, Answers.

Spiritual Gems (10 min.)

Ps 106:36, 37. What is the relationship between idol worship and sacrifices to demons? (w06 7/15 13 par. 9).

In Psalm 106 verses 36 and 37, idol worship is directly linked to sacrifices to demons, indicating that by worshiping idols a person can expose themselves to the influence of demonic forces. The Bible gives us an important warning when it says to keep away from them. This teaches us that avoiding idols not only keeps us away from idolatry, but also protects us from falling into practices that can put us in contact with the world of demons.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In this text, it is shown that the people of Israel not only worshipped idols, but also offered sacrifices to demons. This means that idol worship is not harmless; it goes beyond worshipping statues or images, since it can involve evil or demonic spiritual forces. The Bible warns that when someone worships idols, they can end up under the influence of demons, since they take advantage of idolatry to deceive and turn people away from Jehovah. That is why in 1 John 5:21, we are advised to guard ourselves from idols, because avoiding any form of idolatry protects us from falling into the spiritual traps of demons and helps us remain faithful to Jehovah.

These verses associate idol worship with sacrifices to these entities, so that those who worship them can come under demonic influence, that is, the Bible warns us to guard against idols. In other words, demons are behind idolatry and the idols that people worship.

The relationship between worshiping idols and sacrificing to demons is direct. In both cases, those who practice these things are exposed to demonic influence. These verses indicate that the Israelites served their idols, and their idols tricked them by sacrificing their children to demons. This shows that idol worship is linked to sacrifices to demons.

Hence, in John 5:21, we are strongly warned to avoid all forms of direct or subtle idolatry, because all of them would put us under the influence of Satan, and like the Israelites, we would end up performing demonic practices that would offend Jehovah and ruin our relationship with him. In addition, a single act of idolatry would be enough to betray Jehovah and begin to serve Satan.

Worshipping Jehovah alone protects us from falling into modern forms of idolatry, such as placing greater importance on material things, fame, or our personal goals. Even though these are not idols in the form of statues, they can take Jehovah's rightful place first and divert our attention from him. Keeping Jehovah as our priority helps keep our worship clean and prevents us from falling prey to harmful spiritual influences, such as those from demons.

Today, idolatry can take more subtle forms, such as placing excessive emphasis on money, fame, or success. This scripture reminds us that these modern idols can also lead us away from Jehovah and open the door to negative spiritual influences. By reviewing our priorities and making sure that Jehovah comes first in our lives, we protect ourselves from any influence that would draw us away from a close relationship with him.

And the most ironic thing is that many say they do it out of tradition or that they are just worshipping, they say, but in reality if you ask them or ask them to describe how they worship, it comes to the same thing. So  the Bible is not wrong when it tells us to guard against and there are real experiences of brothers who, having received one of these idols at home, perhaps a picture or even an image, had supernatural experiences, incidents, difficult moments for having accepted that this is related to idolatry. 

What spiritual  pearls have you found in this week's Bible reading?

Psalm 106:3 By practicing justice and doing what is right, we show the world the just and kind character of God, acting as living witnesses of his teachings, even when it is difficult or involves sacrifices. He considers happy those who remain faithful to his principles. This encourages us to act correctly even in complicated situations.

Psalm 106:1. This verse encourages us to thank Jehovah for his goodness and mercy. This teaches me that in addition to cultivating a spirit of gratitude, recognizing the blessings I receive daily, I should express my gratitude to Jehovah in my prayers and actions toward others.

Psalm 106:2. This text motivates us to continue preaching unless it is possible. No one can fully express all of God's powerful works. However, as His servants, we must share what we know. Meditation on His works and preaching must be part of our life as Christians.

Psalm 106:1. This same verse encourages us to thank Jehovah for his goodness and mercy, so I can use it in the Ministry to start conversations about Jehovah's goodness and how it manifests itself in our lives, with the purpose of motivating people to want to know more about his wonderful qualities through a Bible course.

Psalm 106:7,8. These verses speak of when the Israelites rebelled against Moses' direction and showed no insight, forgetting that Jehovah was faithful to his promise and freed them from the Egyptians. This teaches me the importance of remembering Jehovah's works and how to use his power to fulfill his purpose. This strengthens my faith and confidence in the fulfillment of the Kingdom promises.

Psalm 106:1. From this same verse we can find another very valuable pearl, since this text says to give thanks to Jehovah, and a practical way to do it is to write a list of things, even the things that Jehovah did for us, even if they seem very small. This will help us to remember that he loves us very much.

Psalm 106:3 teaches us that justice is not a trivial matter, but a way of life. Those who seek to do what is right, even when others do not see it, are blessed by God because they live according to His will. This justice includes doing good to others, even in small things.

Psalm 106:7,8. This passage says: In Egypt, our ancestors did not appreciate your wonderful works. They did not remember your immense loyal love, but rebelled at the Red Sea. But, for the sake of your name and to make your power known, you saved them. So I can use this powerful reminder of Jehovah's faithfulness in the Ministry to illustrate how Jehovah always acts on behalf of his people.

Psalm 106:6. Humility is essential in the Christian life. Recognizing our mistakes and asking for forgiveness is part of the process of spiritual growth, which will make us at peace and be blessed. In contrast, pride leads many to make mistakes and not recognize them, correct them, or ask for forgiveness.

Psalm 106:9. This verse reminds us of the miraculous way God saved His people by parting the Red Sea so they could escape from their enemies. This is a reminder that no matter how great the obstacle or difficulty, God is in control of the situation and can help us by giving us the endurance to keep going.

Psalm 106:10 teaches us that spiritual warfare is real, there is also adversity, there is also adversity, and there are people who oppose us. It is important to pray to God asking for protection and salvation from these enemies. We trust that He is faithful and will not leave us without help.

Psalm 106:12. We notice that after the salvation and the miracles, the people of Israel experienced a rebirth of faith and gratitude. This teaches us that every time we see God's help, or an answer to our prayer, we should take a moment to thank Him and worship Him, so that our faith will not cool off due to indifference.

Psalm 106:13. Many people forget God, even when He has helped them. We must be careful not to forget what God has done for us, especially in times of difficulty. Maintain a grateful and patient heart, seeking His guidance at every step, as impatience can lead us to wrong decisions.

Psalm 106:7 teaches us that if we forget the wonders God has done in our lives, this could eventually lead to a lack of faith and sin. Instead, remembering God's great works in our lives helps us maintain faith and gives us hope and peace.

Psalm 106:1. This verse teaches us how important it is to be grateful and praise God. It is essential to remember that Jehovah is good and that his love is endless. Every day, despite the difficulties, we can find something to be thankful for. By recognizing his goodness, we learn to focus more on his blessings than on the difficulties.Best gifts for your loved ones

Psalm 106:5 teaches us that God wants us to enjoy His blessings. He is pleased to show us His goodness, and we can also share those blessings with others. Sometimes we are so focused on what we lack that we fail to enjoy what God has already given us.

Psalm 106:13-15. These verses show how the Israelites, as soon as they left Egypt, forgot all the miracles that Jehovah performed to free us from slavery, including the miracle at the Red Sea. So this passage teaches me that I must be patient and trust in Jehovah instead of always expecting immediate solutions to all my problems. And something that will help me in this regard will be to permanently keep Jehovah's blessings in my memory.

Psalm 106:13-15. These verses show how in the wilderness, the Israelites were carried away by their selfish desire and tested Jehovah, so he struck them with a disease. So these verses can be helpful in preaching to warn about the dangers of impatience and lack of faith. And you find, they can also be used to encourage people to trust in Jehovah as our provider.

Psalm 106:24,25. These verses show how the Israelites in the wilderness did not believe the word of Jehovah nor listen to his voice, but instead grumbled in their tents. This teaches me the importance of faith, trust, and obedience to Jehovah, and how complaining and grumbling can lead us to lose his blessings.

Psalm 106:48. This verse says: Let Jehovah, the God of Israel, be praised forever and ever. And let all the people say Amen. This shows how appropriate it is to use the term Amen at the end of prayers, not only to signify that we agree with what was said in prayer, but also as a solemn declaration of trust in Jehovah and an expression of our fervent hope.

Psalm 106:24-27. These verses show that rebellion against Jehovah leads to serious consequences, but his mercy is always available to those who repent. Therefore, they are a reminder of the importance of obeying Jehovah and avoiding any trait of rebellion that damages our relationship with him.

Psalm 106:47. This text reminds us of the importance of prayer and shows us that it is wise to pray to Jehovah for our salvation, so we should feel impelled to make prayer an integral part of our daily lives.

Psalm 106:44-46. These verses show that Jehovah is faithful to his promises and never forgets the covenants he has made with his people. This strengthens my faith and encourages me to trust Jehovah's promises even more and to maintain hope for their fulfillment.

Psalm 106:33,34 These verses show that although the Israelites provoked Jehovah, it was Moses who became bitter and his lack of self-control resulted in him speaking without thinking of the consequences. This teaches me that the bad actions of others can lead a very peaceful person to lose his temper and do reprehensible things, so we must avoid these situations so as not to lose Jehovah's approval.

Psalm 106:33,34. The first time the Israelites complained about a lack of water, Moses responded appropriately. But this time, he allowed frustration and exhaustion to lead us to act recklessly. This teaches us that when faced with attacks and insults in the ministry, we should not respond impulsively. Unlike Moses, we should focus on honoring Jehovah rather than being driven by our hurt feelings.

Psalm 106:1. This text shows us that we have many reasons to be thankful to Jehovah. Of course, when we face difficult circumstances, we may become discouraged. But when that happens, meditating on the good things we have received will comfort and strengthen us.

Psalm 106:2. This text teaches us that no matter how hard we try to understand or describe God’s works and actions, we will always fall short. His greatness is so immense that it surpasses our human ability to understand it. This inspires us to praise God for all the wonderful things He has done.

Psalm 106:3. This verse tells us about the importance of living a righteous and upright life. It is important as true Christians to strive to do what is right, even when no one is watching. When we strive to do what is right, we please our God and He will give us many blessings.

Psalm 106:4,5. These verses teach us the importance of asking Jehovah for his protection and guidance so that we can be on his side. If we do so, we will enjoy his loving-kindness.

Psalm 106:6. This verse teaches us that as imperfect human beings we sin and make mistakes, but we can confess and recognize our sin, in this way our loving Father will provide us with the necessary help.

Psalm 106:7. This text shows us that the human tendency is to forget the blessings of Jehovah, just as the Israelites had seen God perform miracles, yet they soon forgot their gratitude and rebelled against him. This teaches us the importance of showing gratitude to our God and never forgetting the blessings we have received.

Psalm 106:8. This text shows us that salvation is a gift from our creator, although as imperfect human beings we do not deserve it, Jehovah still shows us his mercy, and in this way demonstrates his power and glory.

Psalm 106:3 This verse reminds us that God blesses those who practice justice all the time. True happiness comes when we follow Jehovah’s way and do what is right, not just sometimes, but consistently. This encourages us to strive to do what is right at all times, even if it is not easy. We can ask ourselves: Am I fair in my dealings with others, even when no one is looking? Jehovah notices our efforts and promises that we will be happy if we are fair and loyal.

Psalm 106:9 This verse teaches us that God has power over nature and can control the forces of the sea. The parting of the Red Sea was a miracle that allowed the Israelites to escape from the Egyptians. God led his people through the sea as if it were a dry desert. This verse reminds us of God’s sovereignty and power over creation. Psalm 106:10 This verse teaches us that Jehovah saved the Israelites from their enemies and rescued them from slavery, demonstrating his great mercy and love for his people. This teaches us that we can trust in the protection and care of our loving Father.

Psalm 106:11. This text makes it clear that Jehovah is a God of judgment; the destruction of the enemies in the Red Sea was an act of victory and judgment. This teaches us that we must trust in God in times of difficulty and recognize His sovereignty and power over all things.

Psalm 106:12,13. This reading shows us that although the Israelites saw the works of Jehovah, unfortunately they became ungrateful and forgot everything that Jehovah had done for them. We should not follow that example, rather we should demonstrate gratitude towards our father and we do this by participating zealously in the Ministry. If we are truly grateful for everything that our loving heavenly Father has done, our heart will move us to reflect his love and generosity by telling others about him.

Psalm 106:34-39. In this reading we notice how about 300 years earlier, God had commanded the Israelites to eliminate all the pagans who lived in the promised land. But they did not obey, and many ended up like the Canaanites: worshiping false gods and participating in immoral and degenerate practices. People today think and act in a similar way to the Canaanites: they promote sex, violence, and materialism. Jehovah wants to protect us and gives us clear warnings, as he did with the Israelites. We must do our best to remove from our minds any way of thinking that resembles that of the Canaanites.

Psalm 106:7-8. Here it is mentioned that the Israelites did not remember the miracles that Jehovah did for them in Egypt and how that led them to rebel. For us, remembering Jehovah's blessings and love helps us not to stray. For example, we can think about how Jehovah has supported us in difficult times or the spiritual blessings we enjoy in the congregation. When we remember all that Jehovah has done for us, it will motivate us to stay close to him and trust in his help.

Psalm 106:13-15. The Israelites soon forgot Jehovah's works and began to desire other things, which brought bad consequences. This teaches us that gratitude is essential in our relationship with God. If we do not value what Jehovah gives us, we run the risk of going astray. Sometimes, we might focus too much on material desires or on things that we think will give us temporary happiness, and that can take us away from what is most important. This passage reminds us that being grateful and appreciating what Jehovah gives us helps us maintain a good relationship with him.

Psalm 106:21,22. The people of Israel forgot that Jehovah was the one who saved them, who did amazing things to protect us. How do we apply this? One way is by regularly meditating on our blessings and how Jehovah has helped us in the past. This strengthens our faith and gratitude, helping us not to become discouraged when we face trials. We can take time to remember the times Jehovah has answered our prayers, or how he has given us strength in difficult times. This keeps us from forgetting and keeps us spiritually strong.

Psalm 106:24, 25. This passage mentions that the Israelites “did not trust in his word” and “they grumbled in their tents.” Here, the lack of faith in Jehovah led the people to complain and rebel. This teaches us how important it is to trust in Jehovah and his promises, rather than focusing on our difficulties. If we complain about our situation, we can lose sight of the blessings we already have and the purpose that Jehovah has for us. This verse encourages us to strengthen our faith in Jehovah and avoid complaining. In difficult times, we can ask Jehovah to help us see things in a positive light and trust that he is in control.

Psalm 106:36-39. These verses describe how the people of Israel mingled with the surrounding nations and adopted their practices, which included idol worship and immoral behavior. This shows that bad influences can cause us to distance ourselves from Jehovah and lose our spirituality. For us, this is a reminder to be careful about the influences we let into our lives, whether they are friends, entertainment, or thoughts that do not please Jehovah. It is in our best interest to surround ourselves with people and things that help us strengthen our relationship with him. Standing firm in our values, even if it sometimes means being different, will protect us spiritually and help us be loyal to Jehovah.

Psalm 106-43-45. Despite the Israelites' repeated mistakes, Jehovah continued to show them mercy. This teaches us that Jehovah is patient and compassionate. Jehovah is willing to forgive us if we show sincere repentance. It gives us hope to know that Jehovah understands our imperfections and is always willing to give us another chance. This can motivate us not to give up, but to approach Jehovah every time we fail, with the confidence that he will help us improve.

Psalm 106:7. The Israelites witnessed great miracles in Egypt, but they failed to appreciate what Jehovah had done for them. This reminds us that in our daily lives it is important to stop and reflect on how God has acted in our lives, caring for us and guiding us. Appreciating these works strengthens our faith and helps us maintain an attitude of gratitude. The Israelites rebelled by the Red Sea at a crucial moment in which they doubted and feared despite having seen God's hand in the past. We too can face critical moments that test our faith. This verse teaches us that instead of letting ourselves be carried away by anguish or fear, we can trust in Jehovah and that he will always be there to help us overcome trials. 

Psalm 106:13. Instead of waiting for Jehovah's guidance, the people often acted hastily, making decisions without consulting him. Hence, the importance of waiting for Jehovah's direction with patience and humility, recognizing that his wisdom is superior to ours, since when we do not wait for his direction we run the risk of straying or making choices that can have negative consequences. It is an invitation to fully depend on his guidance, especially in times of doubt or uncertainty.

Psalms 106:14. It shows how selfish desires can lead us to test Jehovah, especially in times of difficulty or spiritual drought. Therefore, it is important to read and meditate on the Bible regularly. The scriptures give us guidance and examples of people who faced selfish desires. Doing this will strengthen us to resist temptations and stay focused on what is truly important. 

Psalm 106:16. This text shows us that Moses and Aaron were chosen by Jehovah to lead the people, and the attitude shown by the Israelites was not correct. This passage teaches us that we must respect and recognize Divine authority and the elders who have been appointed by Jehovah. 

Psalm 106:19. This passage shows how despite the blessings and miracles that Jehovah had performed for the people of Israel, they still fell into the temptation of creating an idol. This reminds us of the human vulnerability to straying from faith and seeking material or visible things instead of trusting in Jehovah. 

Psalm 106:21. Forgetting Jehovah can lead to disobedience and loss of spiritual direction. It is important to remain vigilant and committed in our relationship with Him to avoid falling into this pattern. 

Psalm 106:24. The verse mentions that the people despised the pleasant land, which can be interpreted as a rejection of the blessings and promises that God had for them. This reminds us to value what God offers us and not take His blessings for granted. 

Psalm 106:25. This verse shows how a lack of faith can lead to despair and complaints when we face difficulties. It is essential to remember Jehovah's promises and faithfulness. 

Psalm 106:35. Mixing with the nations and adopting their customs shows how the influence of the environment can affect our beliefs and behaviors. It is essential to be aware of the influences we allow in our lives and how they can distance us from Jehovah.