In I Kings 13 we read of a young prophet that was on a mission given to him by God. He was determined to follow through with this mission and to obey God's command precisely. He traveled from Judah to Bethel. After the events that took place in Bethel he was to return another way. He was not to eat bread nor drink water. This is exactly what he was determined to do. He even turned down king Jeroboam's request to go home with him and receive a reward. This young prophet said "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 it was commanded to me by the word of the Lord, saying, 'You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came'" (I Kings 13:8, 9). In his mind there was nothing outside of the word of God that would alter his course. However, another man came to him and said "I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word or the Lord, saying, 'Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water'" (I Kings 13:18). Scripture declares to us that this older prophet was lying. Yet, the young prophet believed him and followed the man home. We then read that "the word of the Lord came to the prophet who had brought him back; and he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, 'Thus says the Lord: Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord and have not kept the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you, but you came back, ate bread, and drank water in the place of which the Lord said to you, Eat no bread and drink no water, your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers'" (I Kings 13: 20b-22). As the young prophet left the house a lion killed him and threw his corpse on the road. This young prophet was determined to follow the command of God; however, he fell for a lie. He was fooled into believing that God had said something that God did not say. This passage always makes me reflect on the world today. How many are there who want to do what is right? How many believe they are doing what is right? Yet, they have been fooled by false teachers. These false teachers instruct men and women in ways that will lead to their spiritual death. Sadly, many believe them because they have not taken seriously the responsibility to search out the truth for themselves. False teachers are a tool of Satan (the fathers of lies) (John 8:44). Do not allow yourself to be me mangled by the roaring lion who seeks to devour you (I Peter 5:8). False teachers can come from the most unlikely source. We are only to follow the words we know to be true. That is the words of God that we find in the Bible. If someone attempts to teach you differently (even if it be an angle from heaven) cast that person away and follow only God's holy word (Galatians 1:8,9).
--Garrett Bookout
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