In Romans 3:4, the apostle Paul makes a profound statement about the prominence and preeminence of the Word and will of God when he writes, “Let God be true and every man a liar.” This passage reminds us that an integral part to esteeming God as the Sovereign Lord is to adamantly refuse to bow to any other word or way of thinking that contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture – regardless of its appeal.
All seemed well for this man of God as he left to return home on a different route, just as he was instructed. On his way home, he encountered an older prophet, who also invited him to his house for a meal. Once again, the prophet remembered the word of God and declined -- until he heard another word that had greater appeal: “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the LORD: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (1 Kings 13:18). The older prophet was lying, but the younger prophet chose to believe him over God’s word and went home with him. This seeming incidental change of plans did not go well for him. At dinner, he was rebuked by the Lord for defying his word and not keeping his commandments and was given a promise of judgment. On his way home he was mauled by a lion and left dead on the side of the road.
On the surface, this seems like a harsh judgment – after all the lying prophet did claim to hear from an angel of the Lord, and it’s likely the other prophet was exhausted and hungry. Yet, it’s clear that his choice was a monumental one. He was compelled by the desires of the flesh to reject the direct command of the Lord and follow a word that was more appealing. He chose to listen to, trust and follow the word of man over the word of God, which is forbidden by God, who warns that if an “angel from heaven” gives instructions against the word he is to be considered accursed (Galatians 1:8-9).
While we do not have the behind-the-scenes details, we can discern that the Lord was testing his heart to determine if he would remain faithful to the word of God in the face of seemingly better options. Since God required righteousness and justice among King Jeroboam and Israel and judged them accordingly, the same standard was applied to his prophet -- and even more so as 1 Peter 4:17 warns, “Judgment begins with the household of God.”
Though we do not receive new, direct revelation from God like the prophet, we experience many similar temptations to follow the word of other people instead of closely following the Lord’s word from the Word. One area of God’s Word that has been cast aside by many in the church in America, and sadly in my own life at times, is God’s final instruction to fulfill the Great Commission by going and making disciples of the nations. Like the prophet of 1 Kings, many teachers and leaders stand at the crossroads and assure believers that we can turn and go in the other direction of God’s command.
I have personally experienced this throughout my Christian life but most intensely after I gave my life to Christ 35 years ago. From my earliest days as a follower of Christ, the Spirit etched Matthew 28 on my heart, along with his command to take up my cross and follow him. As I communicated this conviction with others, some sought to convince me that I had not heard the Word correctly, and that these passages were not actually calling for me to follow him wherever he said to go in a life altering, sacrificial way. Looking back, I believe God placed them on my path, much like he did the older prophet, to test my heart and see if I would remain faithful to his Word. There have been seasons, and some longer than others, when I have followed their counsel, sat at their table and sought to make peace with these two opposing words. During these times, I have experienced deep angst in my soul and conviction that I, like the younger prophet, was rejecting the very Word of God by my actions.
Thankfully, the Lord keeps bringing me back to his unchanging Word, along with the reminder that I have been rescued from the empty way of life handed down to me by my forefathers and given new life in Christ (1Peter 1:18). As his beloved daughter, my only commitment is to trusting and obeying his Word. This lifestyle, he promises, is one of sacrifice and self-denial, but is shielded by his love. It involves living in an upside-down Kingdom that is counter cultural with the world. Yet, he promises that it is the good life where true happiness, joy and peace can be found and where real purpose rises from seeking first his Kingdom and righteousness.
He’s reminding me again of the serious ramifications of choosing to exchange his Word for other words. While I may not face a sudden, tragic death like the prophet, he assures me that I will grieve his Father heart and forfeit grace that could be mine by clinging to worthless idols (Jonah 2:8). With open hands, I’m giving up my right again to receive any other word that appeals to my flesh and choosing by faith to stand firmly on the Word of God. “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
