Serving God

. הִשָּׁמֶר לְךָ פֶּן תִּנָּקֵשׁ אַחֲרֵיהֶם אַחֲרֵי הִשָּׁמְדָם מִפָּנֶיךָ וּפֶן תִּדְרשׁ לֵאלֹהֵיהֶם לֵאמֹר אֵיכָה יַעַבְדוּ הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה אֶת אֱלֹהֵיהֶם וְאֶעֱשֶׂה כֵּן גַּם אָנִי:לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה כֵן לַיהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ

Chazal describe this Pasuk as a prohibition against different forms of Avodah Zarah. However the Ramban has a unique approach. The Ramban explains that it is usual for the vanquishers to adopt the tools of the vanquished for their own purposes. It would therefore be expected that the Jews would want to conquer the Avodah Zara's in Eretz Yisrael and then adapt the methodologies of the Avodah Zarah service for the service of God. The greatest honor of a conqueror is to snatch the crown of the conquered and place it upon his own head. This,  the Torah prohibits. Israel may not adopt the nations forms of worship and incorporate them into the service of God. The prescription for the service of God is very explicitly given in the Torah. No matter how honorable one thinks that his service would be to God, it is forbidden unless done to the exact specifications given in the Torah. 

This concept is very apropos in our contemporary society. We see a lot of behaviors in society and try to incorporate them into our service of God. We are trying to give them a "spiritual" makeover. This is what the Ramban is saying that the Torah is warning us against. Don't, for example, copy their silly party's and put a "spiritual" spin on it and feel that you have just done God a great big favor. This problem is pervasive throughout our contemporary American society. 

The Pasuk says "Mamrim Heyisim im Hashem Elokeychem". To further the point above. The word "Im" means with. How are we being obstinate "with" God? By using God as part of the party. We ask God to join our party and convince ourselves that he is with us as we copy the nations of the world.