Words mean something. They are not just noise in the air but they convey a message - both good and bad. Words have been a great blessing to me and they have also have brought great distraught and discouragement. Words are important - especially words of truth.
Today we want to learn from one man in the Bible, an OT prophet Micaiah. If you want an example your children can follow, here it is - in 1 Kings 22.
He lived in the days of wicked King Ahab of Israel. The King wanted to pick a war with his neighbouring country Aram (Syria), claiming that one of the cities in their land belong to Israel - Ramoth Gilead. King Ahab asked his friend King Jehoshaphat (Judah) for help and he was given this advice: "First seek the counsel of the Lord." (v.5)
So King Ahab brought together his prophets - 400 of them... "Shall I go to war against Aram or should I not?" The false prophets did not really consult God... They just wanted their own ways and to please the king. "Go," the answered, "for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand." (v.6)
Ahab’s friend Jehoshaphat must have been a little skeptical about 400 prophets all agreeing so completely on something. So he asked Ahab, "Is there not a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?" (v.7)
Ahab said there was - Micaiah, the no. 401 prophet - but said, "I hate him because he never said anything good about me, but always bad." (v.8)
You see, truth is not always nice, but it’s the truth. Eph 4:15 "Instead, speaking the truth in love..."
The Lord loves those who are truthful - Psalm 15:1-3 1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart 3 and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow man...
So they decided to send for Micaiah. A messenger was asked to fetch Micaiah. And he said to him (v.13), "Look, as one man the other prophets are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably."
Micaiah said, "As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him ONLY what the Lord tells me." (v.14)
He was not afraid of anybody. He was not afraid of the consequences. In fact, he was only afraid of God - he HONORS God - He would only say what God wants him to say.
Micaiah proceeded to tell the 2 kings that God had decreed disaster upon them. (v.23) As a result King Ahab died in the war. He tried to disguise himself but he was killed by a random arrow.
We cannot run away from the truth.
Num 32:23 says when you sin against God, "... you may be sure that your sin will find you out."
It’s better to tell the truth that hurts - but bring good, bring healing and blessing, than to tell a lie that feel good but then kills you.
An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. (Proverbs 27:5-6 NLT)
Micaiah was hated for telling the truth, because it wasn’t good news to Ahab.
It’s better to be unpopular for telling the truth, than to be loved for telling a lie. We must not tell a lie to gain acceptance. You may gain man’s favor but incurs God’s wrath.
It pays to know the truth and live by it. Truth brings blessings...
Telling the truth is not easy for us, but God demands that we do that. The 9th Commandment tells us not to lie. Exo 20:16 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.
A minister told his congregation, "Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17."
The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17. Every hand went up.
The minister smiled and said, "Mark has only 16 chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying."
Your words do mean something - especially the truth spoken in love. We live in perilous times where truth is being compromised and people are wanting us to agree with them about their sin.
No, I can't do that. I must say what God has to say. I must speak truth. Yes, it is hard at times but as John 8:32 says, "The truth will set you free." If you say what God says - it is truth. Nothing else matters.
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