The doctrine of Balaam teaches that God's people can embrace idolatry and immorality through compromise and still escape judgment—a false security that actually brings God's wrath.
In Revelation 2:14, Jesus describes the doctrine of Balaam as teaching Balac to put a stumblingblock before Israel, leading them to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. Les Feldick explains that Balaam‘s strategy was to use Moabite women to seduce Israel, break down their separation from God, and cause God’s judgment to fall. The same spirit of compromise remains a danger for the church today.
Revelation 2:14 — This is the only place where the exact phrase 'doctrine of Balaam' appears, and Jesus Himself defines it.
Numbers 25:1 — This verse records the actual sin that resulted from Balaam's counsel—Israel committing whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
The Bible uses the title “the doctrine of Balaam” only once, in the Lord’s message to the church at Pergamos: “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication” (Revelation 2:14). The Old Testament narrative shows the practical result: “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab” (Numbers 25:1). Jude later warns of false teachers who “ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward” (Jude 1:11), and Peter describes those who “have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15). Scripture thus connects Balaam with idolatry, sexual immorality, and the love of reward.
Les Feldick explains the doctrine of Balaam by showing the historical strategy behind it. He notes that King Balak of Moab could not defeat Israel militarily and could not get Balaam to curse them, so Balaam came up with a satanically inspired plan: let the Moabite women seduce Israel’s young men. The plan worked, Israel lost their separated character, and God allowed judgment to fall—Les says 23,000 Jews were put to death. Les also identifies Balaam as a false prophet motivated by money, and he connects Jude’s phrase “the error of Balaam for reward” to false teachers today who rationalize from the human side, just as Cain did. He then applies the same principle to the church: when the body of Christ commingles with other doctrines—such as New Age teaching—it is spiritual adultery, and God will judge it.
In Revelation 2:14, Jesus tells the church at Pergamos that He has a few things against them because some hold “the doctrine of Balaam.” He defines it as Balaam teaching Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel—leading them to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. This is the New Testament’s direct definition of the doctrine.
Les Feldick explains that when Balak could not defeat Israel militarily and could not curse them through Balaam, Balaam suggested putting Moab’s prettiest girls where Israel’s young men could be seduced. The tactic worked: the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab, lost their separated character, and God’s judgment fell—Les says 23,000 Jews had to be put to death.
Jude 1:11 says false teachers “ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward.” Les Feldick explains that Balaam was a false prophet after money, and the same motive drives false teachers today. They rationalize from the human side, sound good to people, and deceive church members who do not recognize what they are doing.
Les Feldick teaches that when Israel intermingled with pagan nations and their gods, it was spiritual adultery. In the same way, when the true church begins to commingle with other doctrines such as the New Age movement, that is spiritual adultery, and God is going to judge it. He explains that physical adultery brings together what has no business being together, and spiritual adultery brings two religions together that have no business being together.
The Way of Balaam — The Bible's Warning About False Teachers
that. And instead, he said, it was needful, read on now in verse 3, "...instead it was needful for me to write unto you, and to exhort you, that you should earnestly contend for the faith, the faith, the one and only." And we are to earnestly contend. Now we're not to be obnoxious, but we are to take a stand on what we believe and help people to see that this is the truth of the Word of God.
Balaam’s Strategy to Destroy Israel’s Separation
Les explains that Balak couldn’t defeat or curse Israel, so Balaam suggested using Moabite women to seduce Israel’s young men. This caused Israel to lose its separation, and 23,000 Jews were put to death.
Balaam’s Motive: Money and the Error for Reward
Les identifies Balaam as a false prophet after money, and says Jude’s “error of Balaam” describes false teachers who rationalize from the human side like Cain.
Historical Context: Balak Sends for Balaam
Les gives the background from Numbers 22, showing Moab’s fear of Israel and Balak’s decision to send messengers to summon Balaam.
Spiritual Adultery in the Church
Les warns that when the body of Christ commingles with doctrines such as the New Age movement, it is spiritual adultery that God will judge.
Spiritual Adultery Defined as Mixing Religions
Les explains that spiritual adultery is bringing two religions together that have no business being together, just as Israel was warned against mixing with pagan systems.
The Unpardonable Sin: What It Really Means for Israel
Not that we can't take some warning from it. I certainly don't tell people, well, go out and blaspheme the Holy Spirit, because, after all, God will forgive you. No way. All I'm saying is, that this is something that doesn't fit church doctrine. It just doesn't fit. Where's Beverly? Remember what you told me a long time ago? You always had to pigeonhole things? That's the word she's always used.
The Unpardonable Sin: What It Really Means for Israel
Is that what your Bible says? You see what I mean? But to them who committed immorality, and they know they did. Oh, they danced around that golden calf. We were looking at that in one of our classes the other night. And oh, they went into the pagan practices while Moses was up in the mount, you know. Is that what God is holding against them? No. He doesn't even mention that. Vile sin as it was.
Revelation 2:14: But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
This is the direct definition of the doctrine of Balaam given by Jesus in the book of Revelation.
Numbers 25:1: And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
This records the actual sin into which Balaam’s counsel led Israel.
Jude 1:11: Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Jude connects the error of Balaam with false teachers who pursue reward.
2 Peter 2:15: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
Peter describes false teachers as following the way of Balaam, who loved unrighteous wages.
The doctrine of Balaam is the teaching that God’s people can compromise with idolatry and immorality without suffering the consequences. Jesus says Balaam taught Balac to put a stumblingblock before Israel, leading them to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication.
Les Feldick explains that Balak could not defeat Israel militarily and could not get Balaam to curse them. So Balaam suggested using Moabite women to seduce Israel’s young men. The plan worked, Israel lost their separation, and God’s judgment fell.
Les Feldick says yes. False teachers still run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and the church can commit spiritual adultery by commingling with other doctrines like New Age teachings. God will judge this compromise.
Watch the Teaching: The Way of Balaam — The Bible's Warning About False Teachers