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Monday, November 2, 2020

Conflicting Voices

By Joe Slater

    Practically any subject of a religious nature is a  lightning rod for controversy. Some think it’s wrong  even to discuss controversial matters; yet by saying we  should shy away from controversy, they themselves are  being controversial! So, how should we deal with  conflicting voices? Do we just pick one that sounds  good and go with it? Do we blindly follow tradition?  The only safe course is to heed the voice of God, who  speaks to us today through His written word.
    When Jeroboam led the northern ten tribes of Israel  into idolatry, God lovingly sent an unnamed prophet to  warn him of the terrible consequences of his sin  (1 Kings 13). The king, somewhat shaken, invited the  prophet home to be refreshed (rest and have something  to eat). But the prophet declined: “If you were to give  me half your house, I would not go in with you; nor  would I eat bread nor drink water in this place. For so  it was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying,  ‘You shall not eat bread nor drink water, nor return by  the same way you came’” (vv. 8-9). Now that’s as plain  as language can be!
    But soon a conflicting voice arose. Another  unnamed prophet lied to the man of God: “I, too, am a  prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the  word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to  your house, that he may eat bread and drink water” (v. 18). Sorry to say, the man of God believed the lie,  and it cost him his life.
    Remember Paul’s admonition to the Galatians: “But  even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other  gospel to you that what we have preached to you, let  him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). 
    Trust God! Reject the conflicting voices!
- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in Justin, TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com


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