The critical factor in Israel’s assimilation into the pagan culture was intermarriage. Voluntary intermarriage. Israel was not pressured into this. Today’s society does not need to press upon us to fit in. Sometimes we walk right into it. That’s certainly the case with literal intermarriage. Satan knows that sexual attraction is a particular point of vulnerability, especially for young people longing for love and marriage. Within their particular Christian community they may not find a suitable Christian spouse, and with the passage of time the need to find one can become urgent. The temptation is there for some to look outside the church community. Satan delights in that! Why? Because he well knows what the Scriptures say. Intermarriage with unbelievers is not God’s will for us. To follow that path is an act of willful disobedience. It’s forming an alliance that is incompatible with faithfulness to Christ. It makes complete oneness impossible.
But we all struggle with intermarriage. Our society offers us a vast array of gods, whom we can serve while continuing to be members of the church. Perhaps the god of self seduces you. The media, newspapers, social media are important pillars in this religion. It calls out to you, especially if you’re young, to find yourself,
and be the best person you can be. Pursue personal happiness. You have a unique story to tell the world. And by the way, nobody gets to tell you what is good and what is evil. You determine that for yourself. The danger we face is that we can maintain our doctrinal beliefs, but divide our heart worship between the Lord and establishing our own reputation.1
1 Now these are the nations that the LORD left, to test Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not experienced all the wars in Canaan.