OLD TESTAMENT

A narrative on 1 Kings 13 –

THE opinion polls suggest that people in the West are highly sceptical about the truthfulness of politicians and journalists. Yet, at the same time, they believe what they see and hear to the extent that even if an alleged scandal is subsequently found to be false, belief in its truth remains.

Christians can be as gullible as anyone else. Rumours about leaders or organisations are seized on and circulated with vigour and often persist for years despite regular denials.

Anyone hearing anything about anyone ought perhaps, as a spiritual discipline, read this chapter of the Bible before passing the information on. It is a tragic story of a well-meaning, earnest believer who is duped by an apparently well-meaning and earnest believer, and as a result loses his life.

The tragedy is greater because the first prophet correctly heard God’s word, and boldly confronted Jeroboam. He was brave, obedient and faithful. But then he failed to discern the lie (v 18) from the old man who was also a genuine prophet at times. Like most people, however, the older man was not above misusing his gifts.

Today, millions of messages flash around the earth at the speed of light. There was never a time when discernment was more needed. If the prophet could be deceived by just one message, we could be deceived by hundreds. The moral of the tale is that we are to listen carefully to those who suggest that God may have changed his mind. He never has, but evil – as we so frequently see and witness – is often disguised as deception.

Prophecy, or any alleged “word” from God is to be tested not only by leaders (1 Corinthians 14:29) but also by Scripture. It should be taken so seriously that it is never believed until it has been checked; and should never be removed from its original context. Scripture will certainly give you the answer.