The God of Dung
Did you know that in the Bible a god of dung is identified?
First, we need to clarify what “dung” is before we identify the god of it.
Paul uses the term dung to identify any self-righteous work or human effort given in trying to be holy, righteous, or pure before God. Paul calls all these acts “dung” (Philippians 3:8). I am using the biblical term to be polite, but I think we all know what dung really is.
So who is the “god of dung”? Who is the one behind convincing people all over the world to produce piles of dung as if God wants any of it? In Matthew 12:27, Jesus mentions Beelzebub, the context of Jesus mentioning this name has to do with the “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.” So who is Beelzebub? It is a name for Satan, but what does Beelzebub mean? It means “god of dung.” We know that Jesus is the way, truth, and life. Self-righteousness is a stench in God’s nostrils. Whenever we approach Him or think He owes us anything because of what we did for Him, we come bringing Him dung.
Satan aka Beelzebub has twisted the thinking and beliefs of multitudes of people around the world. They believe they are giving God their best efforts and sacrifices, which they believe please Him. In reality, all those good works and sacrifices are nothing but a pile of dung to God.
As believers, we live our lives out of the conviction of belief in all Jesus accomplished for us in His death, burial, and resurrection. All we have comes from Him. Everything we do comes from His life in us and us abiding in Him. When we keep our hearts focused and motivated by what Christ did for us, we offer God a sweet-smelling sacrifice, and we keep ourselves out of “dung.”
“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Ephesians 5:2).
