|
The above is a passage of Scripture that has to do with one of the most pathetic stories of the Bible. Jeroboam, king of Israel , set up two golden calves. He placed one at Dan and the other at Bethel and described them as "the gods which brought thee up out of Egypt " (1 Kgs. 12:29). In addition, he changed a number of things that God had set up such as: 1) Levitical priesthood (1 Kgs. 12:31); 2) the date of the feast of tabernacles, "which he had devised of his own heart" (1 Kgs. 12:31-33). It is said, "this thing became a sin unto Jeroboam" (1 Kgs. 12:30) and it was sin the Lord was not going to overlook. Therefore, the Lord sent a man to cry out against Jeroboam’s sins. The message was not received at first and the order was given for the man of God to be detained. But the hand he stretched forth to give the command could not be pulled in again. The king pleaded with the man of God from Judah and "the king's hand was restored in again and became as it was before" (1 Kgs. 13:1-6).
The Lord commanded the young prophet to "eat no bread, nor drink water, nor return again by the same way that he came" (1 Kgs. 13:9). This was very clear and unambiguous. Nevertheless, there was an old prophet who, upon hearing of the deeds of the man of God, went after him and brought him back to his house to eat and drink--deceiving him into believing that an angel had spoken unto him (the old prophet) reversing the earlier command of God. Sadly, the Word of God says: "But he lied unto him" (1 Kgs. 13:18). Consequently, God made an example out of the man of God from Judah who was deceived: "A lion met him by the way and slew him" (1 Kings 13:23-30).
Such lying is abhorrent and an abomination to God (Pr. 6:16-19) but the hearer is also responsible. Isaiah spoke of "a rebellious people, lying children that will not hear the law of the Lord; which say to the seers, see not; and to the prophets, prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits..." (Isa. 30:10).
Today, many religious leaders present themselves as general overseers, apostles, prophets, “called” pastors, etc. and tell their members that God has revealed to them certain things. For example, it is commonly taught that one must “tithe” to avert the wrath of God. They are not telling you the truth! Tithing (an Old Testament practice) is not taught in the New Testament. The Law of Moses changed (Heb. 7:5-13). According to the New Testament (a better covenant, Heb. 8:6), Christians are to give as they purpose in their heart and as they prosper (1 Cor. 16:1, 2; 2 Cor. 8:12; 9:6-11).
There are many false teachers (2 Pet. 2:1) and according to Jesus some are blind leaders that lead others to destruction (Matt. 15:14). It is a serious thing not only to lie, but also to believe lies, especially in our service to God (2 Thes. 2:10-12; John 4:24). Look for the clear instructions from God in the Bible and refuse to believe any religious leader that tells you something different. (See Gal. 1:8; Rom. 16:17-18; Phil. 3:18, 19; 2 Pet. 2:1-3).
|
