Micaiah the prophet spoke his famous words in 1 Kings 22:14, “As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that will I speak.” There is always a temptation to speak what the crowd wants spoken. Fear of physical persecution is always present; however, we have been commanded by the Almighty to say those things that are written in His word.
It is true that stepping on toes can exact a price from those who proclaim the Word, but this is the price of being God’s man. Recently, I spoke of Jeremiah and his challenge as he performed the duties of God’s messenger. In Jeremiah 26:2-3, it says, “Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word. Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.” God shows optimism that the people might listen and repent. He would gladly relent from the punishment that their evil deeds have brought upon them. Unfortunately, they would not turn from their evil ways before God.
This is the duty of God’s man, to warn them that their wrongs have consequences. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul told Timothy, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” That explains the condition of many churches today, including the Lord’s church, but the man of God must stand and preach the truth of His will.
We must determine to preach God’s message whether the result will be good or ill. To not warn those in error does not change the danger of missing Heaven for those who speak the misguided teachings from their own thoughts. When the wind of error blows, will you stand firm where God wants you to stand? Think about it.
