S) "18 He said to him, 'I also am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, "Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water."' But he lied to him."
1 Kings 13:18 (NASB)
O) So, there was an unnamed prophet, who came and warned Jeroboam (Israel's king) about his wickedness. There was a sign (leprosy and healing), proving the word of the LORD with power, and the king offered this man of God a reward, but the man says he must leave immediately, by the word of God (see vv. 1-10). On his way out of town, an old prophet hears of this and stops him on his way out of town. Again, the stranger says he cannot stay (see vv. 11-17). Up to this point, this anonymous prophet has done extremely well! He was obedient, bold, and faithful to the word that the LORD gave him. Here, though, he is fooled by the older (and now false) prophet. In the end, it costs the younger his life and his grave (as told in the rest of the chapter).
A) There are a lot of reasons the man of God fails in this story (only recognized "external" threats, took the word of God for granted, gave up on his mission, etc.), but I think all of it comes down to one, fatal error. The man of God did not verify a "word from God" himself, directly with the LORD. Unfortunately, not everyone who professes to love the LORD actually does. For that matter, even someone who genuinely tries to speak truth, can sometimes miss what God is saying. But, false prophets and teachers are inevitable and foretold (see 2 Timothy 4:3; 2 Peter 2:1-3). So, the best, most sure defense against such deception, is to know the proven words of God, the Bible. And, I cannot simply read it once, taking it for granted. I need to be studying it continually, coming back to it again and again, and asking God to continue to educate me by the Holy Spirit, so that the power of the Word is effective in my life. The other huge element is constant prayer. The promised Holy Spirit is within me, so I have every reason, and no excuse not, to be in prayer continually, bringing everything back to the written Word.
P) Father, thank You for the very real, effective, powerful presence of Your Spirit. Thank You for Your very real, effective, and powerful Word. I invite Your discipline, Lord, I'd i become complacent or lazy, or otherwise negligent with Your Word. Open my eyes and ears, to know Your truth. Increase my discernment to recognize false teachings, and false prophecies, and all falsehoods. Speak to me, and let me hear Your word, according to Your will. Teach me to be faithful and obedient with everything You've spoken. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) There are a lot of reasons the man of God fails in this story (only recognized "external" threats, took the word of God for granted, gave up on his mission, etc.), but I think all of it comes down to one, fatal error. The man of God did not verify a "word from God" himself, directly with the LORD. Unfortunately, not everyone who professes to love the LORD actually does. For that matter, even someone who genuinely tries to speak truth, can sometimes miss what God is saying. But, false prophets and teachers are inevitable and foretold (see 2 Timothy 4:3; 2 Peter 2:1-3). So, the best, most sure defense against such deception, is to know the proven words of God, the Bible. And, I cannot simply read it once, taking it for granted. I need to be studying it continually, coming back to it again and again, and asking God to continue to educate me by the Holy Spirit, so that the power of the Word is effective in my life. The other huge element is constant prayer. The promised Holy Spirit is within me, so I have every reason, and no excuse not, to be in prayer continually, bringing everything back to the written Word.
P) Father, thank You for the very real, effective, powerful presence of Your Spirit. Thank You for Your very real, effective, and powerful Word. I invite Your discipline, Lord, I'd i become complacent or lazy, or otherwise negligent with Your Word. Open my eyes and ears, to know Your truth. Increase my discernment to recognize false teachings, and false prophecies, and all falsehoods. Speak to me, and let me hear Your word, according to Your will. Teach me to be faithful and obedient with everything You've spoken. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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