LION FOOD: BEWARE THE SUPERSEDING WORD!  1 Kings 13:7-24.

Tricky title—simple concept: When you hear God’s voice, you must reject contradictory messages from others.

God sent an unknown prophet to pronounce judgment. When the prophet finished, the king offered him a meal and lodging for the night, but the prophet said no. “Even if you offered half your kingdom I would not, for the word of the Lord to me was ‘You must not eat bread, drink water, or spend the night’” 1 Kings 13:8-9.

So the prophet saddled his donkey and left. Then while traveling, he was approached by another man offering food and lodging. The prophet again said no. But this man was persistent:

“But sir, I TOO am a prophet, and the Lord said, ‘bring the prophet back to your house so he may eat and drink.’ So the prophet was deceived and went with him, ate bread in his house and drank water.

–THEN the word of the Lord came to the second prophet and he spoke “Because you rebelled and did not obey, but returned to eat and drink… your corpse will never reach the grave.” Then when the prophet set out for home, a lion killed him.” 1 Kings 13:18-24.

The dead prophet failed—he doubted God. He did not doubt at first. Twice he rejected food and lodging. But when the second prophet provided a logical argument that seemed as valid as his own, he gave up on what God told him.

Why is this obscure story in the Bible? To WARN US.

If God shows you something (AND YOU ABSOLUTELY KNOW YOU HEARD FROM GOD), don’t question it when someone smarter or godlier than you says, “Well, God told me the opposite.”

If God gives you a conviction or a calling or a vison about ANYTHING—hang onto it until God tells you to let go! Don’t doubt what God said just because someone you trust questions it. (Of course, you MUST know you heard from God, or being stubborn about the issue might be foolish.)

Even the godliest people may be mistaken. Don’t be led astray like the prophet who became LION FOOD.

Beware the superseding word.

Again, tricky title—simple concept: When you hear God’s voice, you must reject contradictory messages from others.

God, give us the courage to stick to what YOU have spoken, no matter who questions it.

ΑΩ