Today’s Reading, 1 Kings 12-14
Focal Scripture: 1 Kings 13:8-9 “But the man of God replied, “If you were to give me half your house, I still wouldn’t go with you, and I wouldn’t eat food or drink water in this place, for this is what I was commanded by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat food or drink water or go back the way you came.’ ”
I have seen too often men who say they are men of God but in their hearts do not know him. Now before you think I am being judgmental let me explain. I am not talking about men who make mistakes and own up to them. I am not talking about men who have a repentant heart when their sin is exposed by others or by God. I am talking about men who profess allegiance to Christ then knowingly and intentionally do the opposite of what God says in their life. I am talking about men who speak godliness in public and curse and condemn others behind closed doors. One shows what it is to be a man of God another doesn’t.
In today’s reading we see two individuals who claim obedience to the Lord but an actually far from him in their lives. In this account you have the old prophet and the man of God. The Lord told the man of God to curse the altar that was made in sin and to tell the King it would be destroyed. After he did that he was supposed to go home immediately and not eat or drink anything on the way. However, an old prophet lied and told him the Lord gave him a word and he was to eat and drink. Unfortunately, for the man of God the old prophet lied. This caused the man of God to die at the mouth of a lion.
So what can we learn from this odd account? If we read it plainly the answer is obvious. When God gives you direction you need to obey it no matter what. The man of God knew what the Lord told him to do. However, he allowed another person to speak to him and convince him God said something else. Here we see that both men sin. One disobeys Gods clear directive and another manipulates the other into sin.
The application of this story is simple. When God speaks, obey. It doesn’t matter if a “godly” person tells you other wise. In our lives we are accountable to God for our obedience. When he speaks we obey. To be a true man of God we must hear God’s word accurately, proclaimed correctly, and then followed through.
Too often people speak about things they do not know. When this happens it leads to sin. God will not contradict himself and his commands. To set an example for others requires radical obedience even when others around you seem in tune with the Lord.
I can speak from experience that not everyone who claims to know the Lord is truly in tune with his leading. To be different requires complete devotion even when others try to convince you other wise. That is how you become a man of God.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading 2 Chronicles 10-12
