How can we ensure we follow God's will, not man's, in our lives? Setting the Scene: A Man of God at a Crossroads • 1 Kings 13 records a real event: God sent a man of God from Judah to confront Jeroboam’s false altar at Bethel. • After obeying God’s clear instructions not to eat, drink, or return by the same road, the man was approached by an older prophet. • Verse 13 captures the crucial moment: “So he said to his sons, ‘Saddle the donkey for me.’ They saddled the donkey, and he mounted it.” The old prophet set out to persuade the younger to come back and eat—claiming an angelic revelation that directly contradicted God’s word. • The man of God listened to the human voice and died for his disobedience. The account warns us how easily good intentions can be derailed when we replace God’s instruction with man’s persuasion. The Cost of Switching Voices • God’s command was crystal-clear; the old prophet’s claim sounded spiritual but contradicted God’s voice. • The outcome: a lion killed the man of God (v. 24). God’s justice vindicated His original word. • The lesson: sincerity, age, reputation, or even an alleged angelic message cannot override what God has plainly said (cf. Galatians 1:8; Acts 5:29). Practical Ways to Keep God’s Word Central • Daily exposure: read, meditate, and memorize Scripture—“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). • Immediate obedience: respond to revealed truth without delay or negotiation. • Guard the original instruction: write it down, review it, pray over it, and refuse to let anyone dilute or add to it. • Choose companions who value obedience: “Whoever walks with the wise will become wise” (Proverbs 13:20). • Maintain a humble heart: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God…” (James 1:5). Discernment Checkpoints from Scripture • Test every message (1 Thessalonians 5:21). • Compare all counsel with the written Word (Isaiah 8:20). • Listen for the Shepherd’s voice: “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). • Refuse pressure to conform: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed…” (Romans 12:2). • Remember God’s sovereignty: “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail” (Proverbs 19:21). Encouragement for Daily Choices • God’s will is not a riddle; He speaks plainly through Scripture and confirms it by His Spirit. • When His Word directs one way and people direct another, follow the Word—every time. • A life anchored to God’s voice will stand firm, bear fruit, and avoid the tragic detours that ensnared the man of God in 1 Kings 13. |
    |