Compare 1 Kings 13:18 with Galatians 1:8 on false teachings. The Danger of Believing a “New” Word 1 Kings 13:18: “Then the old prophet said to him, ‘I too 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 so that he may eat bread and drink water.”’ The old prophet was lying to him.” • Two prophets meet: one holds a direct command from God (v. 9), the other claims a fresh revelation. • The older prophet appeals to authority—“an angel spoke to me”—to override what God had already said. • Scripture immediately unmasks the deceit: “The old prophet was lying.” • The younger prophet’s tragic end (vv. 21-24) underscores how seriously God treats obedience to His revealed word. The Unchanging Standard of the Gospel Galatians 1:8: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!” • Paul speaks to believers tempted by distorted teaching. • He raises the bar: not only human teachers, but even an angelic messenger is unacceptable if the message conflicts with the gospel already delivered. • The verdict is severe—“under a curse”—highlighting the non-negotiable nature of revealed truth. Key Parallels • Both passages feature a claim of angelic revelation. • Both warn that any “new” message must be measured against what God has already spoken. • Both stress that the authority of God’s prior word outranks any impressive messenger. Timeless Lessons for Discernment • God’s word does not change; any teaching that contradicts it is false (Isaiah 40:8; Psalm 119:89). • Signs, wonders, or charismatic personalities can never legitimize error (Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Matthew 24:24). • Testing the spirits is a perpetual mandate (1 John 4:1); the Bereans modeled this by examining Scripture daily (Acts 17:11). • The consequences of embracing falsehood—whether immediate as in 1 Kings or eternal as in Galatians—are severe. Practical Guardrails for Today • Know the Word: continual, prayerful study fortifies against deception (Psalm 119:11). • Hold fast to the original gospel: salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). • Evaluate every teaching, podcast, book, or sermon by Scripture rather than novelty or popularity (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Reject any “extra revelation” that revises or contradicts the biblical record, regardless of the source (Revelation 22:18-19). Closing Reflection The prophet who heeded a lie and the Galatians who flirted with a distorted gospel both stand as sober reminders: the standard is fixed, the message unchanged, and the call to discernment as vital today as ever. |
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