Deuteronomy 20:18

“That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the Lord your God.”

Context: Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and is part of the Old Testament. It contains the speeches of Moses to the Israelites just before they enter the Promised Land. In this particular chapter, Moses is giving instructions regarding warfare and how the Israelites should conduct themselves when they go to battle against their enemies.

Abominations of the nations: The verse refers to the abominations committed by the nations inhabiting the Promised Land. These abominations were related to the worship of false gods and involved practices that were detestable in the eyes of the Lord. God warned the Israelites not to adopt or imitate these practices.

The danger of influence: The verse highlights the concern that by observing and imitating the abominable practices of the nations, the Israelites would end up sinning against God. God wanted His people to be set apart, holy, and obedient to Him. If they were to adopt the practices of the pagan nations, they would compromise their faith and disobey God’s commands.

Teaching and learning: The verse implies the importance of teaching and learning the ways of God. By instructing the Israelites not to imitate the practices of the nations, God emphasizes the significance of proper teaching and guidance. The Israelites needed to be taught God’s ways and instructed in righteousness to avoid falling into sin.

Application for believers today: Though this verse specifically addresses the Israelites in the context of the Promised Land, there are principles that can be applied to believers today. As Christians, we are called to be separate from the values and practices of the world (Romans 12:2). We should not conform to the patterns of this world but rather strive to live according to God’s standards.

This verse reminds us of the importance of guarding our hearts and minds against the influence of ungodly practices and beliefs. We should be discerning in what we allow into our lives and seek to align ourselves with God’s truth. It also underscores the significance of sound teaching and instruction in our Christian walk.

Overall, Deuteronomy 20:18 serves as a reminder to the Israelites-and to us today-that we are to remain faithful to God, avoiding the abominable practices of the world and continually seeking to live in accordance with His will.