Focal Scripture: 1 Kings 21-22
Focal Scripture: 1 Kings 22:14 “But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, I will say whatever the Lord says to me.””
It is tempting to speak but not speak accurately. I had a professor in school that told the class from the beginning the following, “If you start any biblical sentence or argument with I think, I feel, my opinion, or any other statement you can be sure you will fail this class.” That might seem harsh but for young men learning how to preach it was needed. I was very thankful to be able to learn from men of God that put an emphasis on scripture being the priority. It was drilled into me from the very beginning that the main source of preaching comes from the scripture. Personal stories, parables, personal feelings should be avoided at all costs, unless it was to highlight a biblical truth. I was to serve the meal to the people not create something new.
In todays reading we see that the prophet was being encouraged to speak favorable words to the King. He was feeling pressure to give a good report. However, in true prophet fashion Micaiah says that he will speak whatever the Lord says. He was not going to be intimated or bullied into speaking words that were his own. He understood his assignment was to speak the truth no matter the cost. He was a herald for the one true King of the Universe. This should be the mindset of every believer and it is the calling of every minister of the gospel.
The challenge for believers today is to make sure when they speak to others that they are speaking biblical truth and not personal truth. I have witnessed many well intentioned believers try to give opinion as biblical fact. This often happens when people are in vulnerable positions. They have experienced tremendous loss and are looking for hope. Then a believer comes along trying to help and says they speak on behalf of God. If what they say doesn’t come true it can cause more damage than the actual situation they are facing. This is why believers must speak truth from the Bible. This is why believers must know what the Bible says.
As the prophet spoke the words of the Lord so must we when we deal with people. Our agenda should be to give biblical truth in love. We don’t shy away from hard conversations but it is done to build others up, not tear others down. I have heard several preachers say things from pulpits that should never be said by preachers of the gospel. Things that have nothing to do with biblical issues or the text. The damage that this causes is almost immeasurable. It happens in large churches and small churches. Whenever a person speaks their truth or interpretation of the truth it is not longer God’s truth.
Why does this matter so much? People need to know that when we speak we are not speaking on our behalf. We are not trying to promote our own agenda. We are trying to make Jesus famous. It doesn’t matter if it is from a stage or a private conversation in a coffee shop. Our conversations must be trusted and understood that we speak the words of the Lord.
Examine your speech today. Who is the author of what you say? Yourself or Christ? It really does make a difference.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading 2 Kings 1-3
