The Danger of Disobedience & the Deception of Compromise
Key Scriptures
1 Kings 13:2 (CSB)
“He cried out against the altar by the word of the Lord: ‘Altar, altar, this is what the Lord says: A son will be born to the house of David, named Josiah. He will sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who are burning incense on you; human bones will be burned on you.’”
1 Kings 13:9 (CSB)
“For this is what I was commanded by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’”
1 Kings 13:18–19 (CSB)
“But the old prophet said to him, ‘I am also a prophet like you. An angel spoke 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.”’ The old prophet deceived him, and the man of God went back with him, ate bread in his house, and drank water.”
1 Kings 13:26 (CSB)
“When the prophet who had brought him back from his way heard about it, he said, ‘He is the man of God who disobeyed the command of the Lord. The Lord has given him to the lion, and it has mauled and killed him, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke to him.’”
Galatians 1:8 (CSB)
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!”
Reflection Questions
Has God ever given me an instruction that others tried to talk me out of? How did I respond?
Do I recognize when spiritual manipulation disguises itself as prophetic authority?
How can I ensure that I don’t grow weary or careless in obeying God’s specific directions?
What does this story teach me about accountability and discernment in ministry?