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!
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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