Baal

Description

Baal appears in the Old Testament as a false god worshiped by the peoples surrounding Israel. During the reign of Ahab and Jezebel, his cult was openly introduced into Israel. Ahab built a temple and an altar to Baal in Samaria, and Jezebel supported his prophets and persecuted the prophets of the LORD.

Derek Prince, in discussing this story, presents Baal as a spiritual alternative to the worship due to the true God. In his teaching, he also describes him as an evil, demonic being behind the false cult. The issue, therefore, is not merely one of an ancient religion. At its core lies the question of to whom a person gives their worship, trust, and spiritual loyalty.

This is most clearly seen on Mount Carmel. Elijah stands before a people who know the God of Israel yet tolerate the worship of Baal. He does not allow them to remain torn between the two. He calls for a choice: if the LORD is God, follow Him; if Baal is God, follow Baal. The spiritual core of this confrontation is a divided heart that tries to hold on to God while simultaneously keeping open access to another source of power.

Such a compromise can take various forms. A person may profess faith in God while at the same time consciously participating in the rituals of other deities, making spiritual vows, engaging in occult practices, or seeking protection, guidance, or power outside of God. At that point, it is no longer a matter of mere curiosity, but of actually turning to another spiritual source.

Derek Prince teaches more extensively that idolatry opens a person up to the influence of demons, because there is a spiritual reality behind turning to false gods. Therefore, turning away from such entanglement does not end with a change of views. Repentance is needed, along with renouncing participation in false worship and severing spiritual allegiance to what was previously worshiped.

If such involvement included oaths, dedications, rituals, or objects used in worship or occult practices, Prince emphasizes the need to decisively break with them as well. A person turns away from their former source of spiritual power and reaffirms their exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ.

Freedom, then, leads in the opposite direction from compromise: from a divided heart to an unambiguous choice for God. Where spiritual bondage has arisen through idolatry, one can renounce it and resist its influence in the name of Jesus Christ.

“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
1 Kings 18:21

Sources

1 Krl 16,29–33; 1 Krl 18 — wprowadzenie kultu Baala za Achaba i Jezebel oraz konfrontacja Eliasza z prorokami Baala.

Derek Prince — „True and False Church” — Baal, Achab, Jezebel i wprowadzenie kultu Baala do Izraela.

Derek Prince — „How to Expel the Enemy” / „Demonic Entry” — bałwochwalstwo, fałszywi bogowie i duchowe otwarcie związane z ich kultem.

Derek Prince — „How To Be Delivered” / „The Process of Release” — pokuta, wyrzeczenie się kontaktu z okultyzmem oraz usunięcie przedmiotów związanych z takim zaangażowaniem.