Deuteronomy 12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee: and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? Even so I will do likewise.
It is too easy to be tempted and ensnared by the gods of this world, so that our response to God’s goodness must be take heed, be careful. It is tempting to become syncretistic, which means we believe in God alright, but we still at the same time want to keep one foot in the world. We think we can have it both ways: God and Baal, God and Mammon, walk the way of God and the ways of the world. After Jesus gave us Life (land, kingdom) and we possessed it and He destroyed the Enemies, then we get complacent and go after the old life. The temptation is real and present, so we take heed. We remind ourself what we have been saved from and what we have been saved for.
They asked,”How did these nations serve their gods?” We ask, “What does the world have to offer?” Resist curiosity. The world offers more money, more control, and more popularity. We can’t resist, so we end up following two gods, living two ways, walking on two paths, and living two lives. No wonder we end up fragmented, broken, twisted, torn, and messed up. Elijah and Jesus are clear: you can’t have it both ways.
Taking heed involves two things: repentance and faith, recognizing our sin and taking hold of our Savior. The temptations of the world (and its gods) are subtle and do not look like ugly devils. Hear the Word. The Law reveals the Sin and the Gospel reveals the Savior.