Have you been misled by God?
I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. Jer 17:10 10 NKJV
Did you know that God himself tests you and gives to you according your ways. I am convinced that when false teachers claim that God gave them some truth or God showed them this or that, they are being truthful. It was God showing them. He was just giving unto them according to their ways. Would you like a confirmation of that?
Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them. Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. Ezek 14: 3-5
Think about what you’ve just read. God says he will answer you according to your idols. The answer is coming from God but He is leading you according to the way you want to go.
For example if you have a heart full of covetousness, you will see the scriptures according to your idol of covetousness. You will see scriptures that promise abundant life and prosperity through the prism of that idol. You will see prosperity only in the sense of material things, things of the world. You will ignore all the scriptures that warn of the deceitfulness of riches. Scriptures that warn of the emptiness of materialism and that warn against friendship with the world will be cast aside. You will have no understanding of true prosperity.
Maybe your religious tradition has taught you that some of the Bible has passed away or is not for today. Has your tradition taught you that God no longer does things the way He used to. Do you believe that laying on of hands for healing was only for certain disciples and God uses different means to heal today? If so, then your religious tradition has become an idol in your heart. And just like He promised, He will answer you according to that idol. You will see the scriptures only through the prism of your idol.
Would you like a New Testament confirmation of this. You really shouldn’t need one because God doesn’t change. He’s the same now as He was in the O.T. but here you go anyway.
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2 Thes 2:11-12
God Himself promises to send strong delusion. Why? Because you refused to love the truth. You’d rather believe a lie. You’re more comfortable with that lie. You don’t have to change. You don’t have to lay down that part of your life and follow Him. You claim that Jesus is your Lord but in this area you refuse to follow Him.
There is a fascinating story in 1 Kings 22. This was during the time that
Jehoshaphat said, before we do this shouldn’t we inquire of the Lord. So Ahab gathered together 400 prophets and asked them. Every one of them told Ahab what he wanted to hear. “Go up”, they said, “For the Lord will deliver Ramoth Gilead into your hand,”
Now apparently Jehoshaphat had some discernment because even after the 400 prophets agreed he still wasn’t sure. He said “Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?” Notice that Jehoshaphat specifically asks for a prophet ‘OF THE LORD”. The prophets Ahab brought forth were not referred to as prophets of the Lord, only “prophets”.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1
So Ahab answers and says, well, there is one prophet we could ask but I don’t like him because he never says anything good about me. Jehoshaphat says, let’s hear him anyway, so Ahab reluctantly calls for the prophet Micaiah.
While they are waiting for Micaiah, the false prophets continue to prophecy falsely. They are telling Ahab all the wonderful things that God is going to do through him. How that God will deliver the city and strike down the wicked Syrians by the hand of Ahab. Man they were really going to town.
Sounds kind of like many of the so called prophets of today doesn't it. 'Peace and safety!' they say, 'great revival is coming', they proclaim. God will restore
Have you ever noticed that the alleged prophets of so called Christian television never seem to have any warning to give from God. Whether it's a personal word to some church leader or a prophecy concerning the nation or the church in general, it's always a message of how great and wonderful things are going to be.
False prophets never change. They are great flatterers. They love the praise of men rather than the praise of God so they always tell people what they want to hear.
That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. Ecc 1:9 NKJV
When Micaiah arrives he is warned by Ahabs servant that the King is in a pretty good mood because all his prophets are prophesying good to him. The servant tells Micaiah to be like one of them and tell the king something good. Like any true prophet though, Micaiah says he will only speak what God tells him to speak.
So Micaiah goes before the King and answers. At first he agrees with the false prophets saying “Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.”
Now even Ahab is suspicious. For some reason this doesn’t sound right. Is Micaiah actually agreeing with the other prophets? So he asks again saying, “How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD? “
Then of course Micaiah tells him what he has really heard and seen from the Lord.
And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.
And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He (The Lord) said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee. 1Kings 22:19-23
The end of this is that Ahab went to war even though Micaiah told him his prophets were lying. Jehoshaphat went with him. The combined armies of
Isn’t this an incredible passage of scripture. Think about it. A lying spirit is sent forth, straight from the throne room of God Himself. Have you ever been taught that God himself can send a lying spirit? Does this confuse your theology just a little? If you’re like most church people I’ll bet it confuses your theology more than just a little.
Now you have a choice to make. Are you going to believe the clear teaching of scripture or are you going to believe your traditional teaching that says that lies only come from the devil.
The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Prov 16:4
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3
God, through Jesus, made everything in the world, even the wicked, even lying spirits, for His purpose, for His plans. He uses things like lying spirits to test His children. To see if we really mean what we say. He tries us to prove whether or not we’re going to believe Him. This may not be what you’ve been taught all your life but it is the truth.
Will you choose to believe the truth, no matter the cost or will you continue in the lies of your religious tradition. If you choose to continue with your idols, God will allow it and you’ll eventually be given over to that lie and be lost forever. Just like Ahab your unwillingness to lay down your idol could well lead to your death.
Have you ever wondered why bad things happen to church people? People that seem by all outward appearance to be living a ‘Christian life’. People who seem to say all the right things and do all the right things, at least when they are around other church people.
Could it be that God is testing their minds and searching their hearts? Could it be that they refuse to cast down their idols in certain areas that you know nothing about.?
How about you? Is God convicting you right now of something in you that needs correction? Will you lay it down and make Jesus Lord over that area or will you continue in your sin and meet destruction or even death like Ahab?
Remember, God will not always strive with man. Esau sought repentance with tears but God would not grant it (Heb 12:16-17)
The good news is that if you’re reading this then you most likely still have a chance to repent and believe God. I appeal to you today by the Spirit of God to put away your idols and seek God in Spirit and in truth. That truth is found in His word and not in the traditions of men.
Ask God to forgive you of your idolatry and show you the truth through His word. Ask God today to be your Bible teacher. If you ask sincerely He will in no wise cast you out.
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 1 John 2:27
Steve Lumbley 2004
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