Introduction
Years ago, there was a pastor I knew quite well. Despite the many gifts God had given him, he was never satisfied. We once talked about the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12. Instead of embracing the one or two gifts he excelled in, he claimed to walk in all of them.
Then, we discussed the ministry gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11. Again, rather than recognizing one area of calling, he insisted he operated in all five. In his pursuit of recognition and spiritual status, he completely missed God’s heart.
Eventually, things unraveled. My wife and I were asked to sit in the back of the church. Not long after, he ran off with the music leader and left the state. How heartbreaking.
“For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:8–10 ESV
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers…”
Ephesians 4:11 ESV
Why are we so often dissatisfied with the role God has placed us in? Why do we constantly want more?
Part of the reason is that some of us try to draw closer to God through striving, rather than through simple obedience. Others look around and say, “I can do that.” Still others seek titles and recognition: “I’m a prophet.” “I’m an evangelist.” “I’m a teacher.” What they want is notoriety.
I once had a very wise friend who simply said, “I think God wants to use me right where I am—at work.” No titles. Just obedience. Just God. Let’s explore this further
Definitions
Apostasy
Apostasy is the formal abandonment or renunciation of a religion by a person, often involving a rejection of previously held beliefs. It can also refer to a broader context of rejecting any loyalty or commitment, such as to a political party or social movement (Wikipedia).
“For this paper, I define Apostasy as a conscious decision to prioritize personal desires and immediate gratification over God’s principles, placing something else in a position of greater importance than God.”
High Places
In the Bible, a high place refers to a localized or regional worship center set up on elevated ground, often for religious rituals. These sites fall into two main categories:
- High Places dedicated to Yahweh – These were altars or worship sites established to honor the true God. For example, in Genesis 12:6–8, Abram built altars to the Lord at Shechem and Hebron. In Exodus 19:1–3, Moses encountered God on Mount Sinai. Other similar instances are found throughout the Old Testament.
- High Places used for idol worship – These were pagan worship centers, often condemned by God. Examples include the sites mentioned in Numbers 33:52, Leviticus 26:30, and especially the ones built by the Moabites as seen in Isaiah 16:12.
In this blog post, I will focus on the second type and explore how, today, our thoughts, words, and actions can become spiritual “high places” when they elevate anything above God.
Walk the Walk
Walking the Walk is an idiom that means to show that something is true by your actions rather than just your words.
When I speak of “Walk the Walk,” I am referring to walking the walk that God gives you and being satisfied. Many “Walk the Walk,” but their emphasis is on works and not doing the will of God. They are not satisfied with what they are doing, always wanting more recognition.
History
High Places
I am giving some time to this topic because there are many “high places” in our lives that prevent us from walking the way of Christ in our lives. To walk the walk of Christ, the “high places” must come down. If they do not, it will lead to Apostasy.
High Places, in reference to idol worship, are mentioned well over 100 times in the Bible. Israel would worship at these local shrines, which often included making sacrifices, burning incense, and holding feasts or festivals. Israel was commanded by God to tear them down. However, they continuously returned to their rebellion of building High Places and worshiping false gods.
When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places. Numbers 33:51-52
Doing Evil in the Sight of the Lord
The Bible reflects that only 8 of 20 Kings of Judah were good, and almost all of the 19 Kings of Israel were bad. Of those who were good, some did not destroy all the “High Places”. Joash and Josiah destroyed all the high places. Hezekiah did also and He also destroyed the serpent Moses had put on a pole, which Israel started worshiping as an idol.
“He (Hezekiah) removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan)”. 2 Kings 18:4 ESV
Miriam and Arron’s Rebellion
“Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” Numbers 12:1-2
Both Miriam and Aaron had issues with Moses and his marriage to a Cushite woman.
Explanation: Moses married a Midianite, a daughter of the priest of Midian. The land of Midian in Arabia was the land of Cush as well as Ethiopia because one branch of Cush settled there in ancient times. Midian was a son of Abraham through Keturah (Gen. 25:1-4). Therefore, Moses married a descendant of the son of Abraham, not an African, as some think. She was simply a Cushite because she dwelt in the land of Cush. (Reference Dake notes)
Korah’s Rebellion
“… who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the LORD and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, and they became a warning. But the sons of Korah did not die.” Numbers 26:9-11
“…is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself…,” Numbers 16:9
In other words, “look at all the things God has done for you. Is that not enough, or do you just think it’s a ‘little thing’ and demand more?
Very interesting scriptures. Korah and company died when the earth opened up and consumed them because of their discontent with their walk. But the sons of Korah did not die. Why didn’t the sons die? God had other plans, and Korah’s sons did not rebel along with Korah. What plans? See below.
Korah’s sons went on to write several Psalms in the Book of Psalms, specifically Psalms 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 84, 85, 87, and 88. Many of these Psalms are well known to us, eg. “As the hart (deer) panteth after the water…” often expresses longing for God, lament, and praise.
A Special Note: Many generations later (about 18), Samuel appears as a descendant of Ebiasaph, a son of Korah (1 Chronicles 6:37 ).
There are many other such rebellions in the Bible. You only have to read the book of Judges to see that after every Judge in the Bible died, “the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD”.
Today
Today, many committed Christians live out their faith in sincere and visible ways. They consistently attend church, give tithes, pray, read the Bible, and share their faith with others. However, some of them still feel a sense of dissatisfaction or longing — a desire to “do more” for God.
This inner restlessness often leads them to question whether they are in the right place or doing enough. But in most cases, these believers are already exactly where God wants them to be. Their calling may not involve a dramatic change or a new mission, but rather, to faithfully live out their Christian witness in their current environment — whether it’s in their workplace, home, church, or community.
The passage is urging these individuals to stop comparing themselves to others or worrying about others’ ministries or callings. Instead, they should focus on being content and faithful in the position God has given them.
This struggle with contentment and calling isn’t new. The Bible shows us that even people in Scripture experienced similar feelings. The rest of the message will look at examples from the Bible to show that God often works through people right where they are.
Summary
Walking the path Christ has laid out for you means living without fear, jealousy, or self-centered desires. Our focus should be entirely on Christ. We must actively tear down any strongholds—thoughts, habits, or beliefs—that elevate themselves above God in our lives. You may sometimes feel like you’re not contributing to God’s Kingdom. But that feeling is not the real issue. The real issue is thinking you have to contribute in a certain way. Just be. Trust God with the outcome. Trying to force purpose on your terms shows a lack of faith—and that leads us away from God, not toward Him.
Conclusion
I haven’t done much preaching—mostly teaching and writing. I write when I feel God puts something on my heart that needs to be shared. I believe I’m genuinely walking with Him, not just saying I am. But ultimately, that’s not for others to judge. People can label me however they want. My focus is on growing in my relationship with God.
Yes, I appreciate recognition, but I try not to let it influence me. My responsibility is to do what God has placed in my hands, right where I am. If no one should read my papers, not my problem. I am here to obey. When pride or self-exaltation—what I call a “High Tower”—starts to rise in me, I tear it down. Surprisingly, my wife helps me see those moments. When she points something out, and I realize what I had missed, I bring it down, with God’s help.
Enough Said
“Thy Words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16)
