Articles
A Lying Prophet
A Lying Old Prophet
1Kings 13
There was a prophet of God. God spoke plainly to him and he knew exactly what God had said. He repeated word for word what the LORD had commanded. Another man, saying he also was a prophet, claimed to have a different commandment given to him by an angel. The first prophet believed him. Believing a lie brought about disobedience. Disobedience brought consequences. The LORD sent a lion that killed the disobedient prophet.
I know that version of the story lacks all the color and excitement of the original. However, it is the basic element of the story. In similar blunt form let me make a few observations.
- God has revealed His word.
- God's word is understandable.
- God's word can be obeyed - but it can also be disobeyed.
- The 2nd man claimed: "I am also a prophet".
- He claimed that an angel of the LORD had given him a DIFFERING revelation.
- He lied. (God's word is not 'yes - no', but it yes.)
- Not all men claiming to have a revelation from God are telling the truth. Some are lying.
- Even a prophet can be deceived by lying words of another prophet!
- Disobedience is disobedience whether committed by a prophet, a king, or you.
- Disobedience to the LORD brings judgment. While not all judgments involve physical death, there are consequences to choosing to disobey God.
New Testament parallels of warning abound.
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15-20
1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 2 Peter 2:1-3
2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. Revelation 2:2
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8-9
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1
20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21
