First Kings 13 records that a young prophet went and prophesied against Jeroboam. God had told him not to stop and eat or drink, but to go straight back by a different way than he came. An older prophet wanted to spend some time with him on his way back. Here is what Scripture says at this point: “He said to him, ‘I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’ (He was lying to him.)” (1 Kings 13:18 NKJV). As you know, the young prophet was killed by a lion after he believed this lie and disregarded what God had told him to do. I could not help but think of some points right here.
There are many who lie in the name of Jesus. It may be that some lie in the name of Jesus because of ignorance of the truth. Others may lie in the name of Jesus because others have deceived them. Some lie in the name of Jesus, knowingly and willingly. The fact is that when anyone teaches anything concerning religion other than what is authorized by the Word of God, he spreads lies. Paul called it a “different gospel,“ which is not “another” (Galatians 1 :6-7)—a “gospel” of a different kind, one that is not from God.
There are always consequences to believing a lie. Believing a lie, when it comes to religious truth, always has a serious consequence. Ultimately, the consequence is death—spiritual death that leads to eternal separation from God. Religious lies are not innocuous; they are not harmless. So many have been led to believe the lie that what is taught and believed really does not matter. It most certainly does matter, and our eternity is dependent on the truth.
We must diligently examine the Scriptures to make sure we are not deceived by the lies of the world. There is a truth that is always true. Truth is not evolving and changing, but instead, it is established and certain. Our responsibility is to seek it out, as well as to ward off and avoid whatever is contrary to truth. Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). No one likes someone to lie to him. The fact is that we are victims of lies every day in our society, as well as from false religious teachers.
I do not want to stand before God responsible for lying in the name of Jesus. I also do not want to stand condemned for believing such lies. May we love the truth, seek the truth, stand firmly on the truth, live the truth and serve according to the truth.
